Acts 11:20 – “Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.”

Extended Explanation

This verse marks a turning point in the spread of Christianity. Up until this moment, most believers had been sharing the message of Jesus only with fellow Jews. But here, some believers—who had come from Cyprus (an island in the Mediterranean) and Cyrene (a city in North Africa)—started speaking to non-Jews (Greeks) in Antioch.

Instead of limiting the gospel to their own ethnic and religious background, these men took a bold step. They shared the good news of Jesus with people outside of Israel’s traditions. This moment paved the way for the church to expand beyond the Jewish community and truly become a global movement.

Historical Context

To understand why this was such a big deal, we need to look at what was happening at the time:

1. The Church Was Scattered – Acts 11:19 tells us that persecution after Stephen’s death had forced believers to leave Jerusalem. Many of them only shared the gospel with Jews, but these believers from Cyprus and Cyrene went further.
2. Antioch Was a Major City – Antioch was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire and a major center of trade, culture, and politics. It had a mix of Jews and Gentiles, making it a perfect place for the gospel to spread beyond Jewish communities.
3. Jewish-Gentile Divisions – Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) had very little interaction. Jews considered Gentiles unclean, and Gentiles often misunderstood Jewish customs. For Jewish Christians to share the gospel with Greeks meant breaking through strong cultural barriers.
4. Cyprus and Cyrene – The men who took this step were from places with mixed populations, where Jews and Gentiles had more interactions. They were likely more open to sharing their faith with Greeks because they had grown up in more diverse environments.

Theological Implications

This verse reveals important truths about God’s plan:

1. The Gospel Is for Everyone – Salvation was never meant for just one group of people. This verse shows that the good news of Jesus is for all nations.
2. Obedience Overcomes Barriers – These believers didn’t wait for approval or permission. They simply shared the gospel as they felt led, breaking through human traditions and religious boundaries.
3. God Uses Ordinary People – These weren’t apostles or famous church leaders. They were regular believers, yet God used them to expand His kingdom. This shows that every Christian has a role in spreading the gospel.

Literary Analysis

This verse is key in the structure of Acts, as it marks a shift in the church’s outreach.

• Connection to Previous Events – Acts 11:19 explains that the gospel had mostly been shared with Jews. This verse introduces a new direction—reaching Greeks.
• Parallel to Acts 8 – Just as Philip shared the gospel with a Samaritan and an Ethiopian official (Acts 8:4-40), these men from Cyprus and Cyrene reached Greeks.
• Foreshadowing the Future – This verse sets the stage for Paul’s missionary journeys, where he would focus on reaching Gentiles. It also leads to the formation of the church in Antioch, which would later send out missionaries (Acts 13:1-3).

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 28:19-20 – Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. These believers were following that command.
• Acts 10:34-35 – Peter had just learned that God does not show favoritism and accepts all who believe in Him. This verse in Acts 11:20 puts that truth into action.
• Romans 1:16 – Paul later declared that the gospel is “first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Here we see that process beginning.
• Ephesians 2:14-16 – Jesus broke down the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles, making one people of God. This verse in Acts 11 shows the early church living that out.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse reminds us that the gospel is for everyone, no matter their background, culture, or history.

It challenges us to ask: Are we sharing the good news only with people like us, or are we stepping out of our comfort zones? The men from Cyprus and Cyrene were willing to break social norms to reach others with the gospel. We should be willing to do the same.

It also shows that God can use anyone. You don’t have to be a pastor or missionary to share Jesus. These were ordinary believers, yet their obedience changed history.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love isn’t limited by race, nationality, or background. This verse shows that He desires all people to know Him.

From the beginning, God’s plan was to bring people from every nation into His family. In the Old Testament, He told Abraham that through him, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). In the New Testament, Jesus confirmed that the gospel was for the whole world (John 3:16). This verse in Acts 11 shows that plan beginning to unfold in real time.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). These believers were living out that command.
• Jesus Himself welcomed outsiders. He spoke with Samaritans (John 4), healed Gentiles (Luke 7:1-10), and even praised their faith (Matthew 8:5-13).
• Jesus’ sacrifice broke down barriers. His death and resurrection made salvation available to everyone, not just one ethnic or religious group (Ephesians 2:13-18).
• Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan to save the whole world. In Acts 1:8, He told His followers they would be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” Acts 11:20 shows that promise coming true.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Are there people in your life who need to hear the gospel, but you’ve been hesitant to share because they are different from you?
2. What can we learn from the believers in this verse about boldness in sharing the gospel?
3. How does this verse challenge the way we view God’s love for all people?
4. Are there cultural or social barriers in your heart that might be stopping you from reaching out to others with the good news?
5. How does this passage encourage you to trust that God can use anyone—even ordinary believers—to spread His message?