Acts 11

brothers
Though some translations retain the older English plural, “brethren,” the rendering “brothers” here remains perfectly accurate to the Greek text (ἀδελφοὶ; adelphoi) and is more natural to modern readers. This language describes the close familial union fellow believers have with one another by virtue of their union with Christ. They are all part of the same family as children of God. The Gentiles would now be included in this family.

took issue
“Taking issue” translates the verb διακρίνω (diakrinō), which also occurs in 10:20 and 11:12. Peter was commanded in 10:20 not to “take issue” with what was happening. Here, the circumcised “took issue” with him (11:1), but he must demonstrate to them by his own example that this should not be, as he recounts the Spirit’s instruction to “go with them without taking issue at all” (11:12).

looking closely
The phrase “looking closely” translates the Greek participle ἀτενίσας (atenisas) from the verb ἀτενίζω (atenizō), which communicates the idea of staring or straining as though to see or understand something better. This same term was used of Cornelius when he saw the angel of God in Acts 10:4. Here, Peter is also seeking intently to understand direct revelation from God. In God’s revelation regarding the inclusion of the Gentiles, He gave a vision both to a Gentile and to a Jewish apostle, as He brings both groups together into His church.

slaughter
The word “slaughter” translates the Greek verb θύω (thyō), which can generically mean “kill,” but is often used in religious sacrificial contexts to refer to the slaughtering of animals to sacrifice them. With this specific word, God instructs Peter to slaughter and eat what Peter considered unclean, using language usually reserved for contexts of sacrifice and worship. This would have made the command seem even more extreme to Peter. The “four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the sky” (10:12) allude to Leviticus 20:24–26, with the context of Israel separating themselves from the other nations. But this is reversed here by Luke’s use of θύω (thyō), which helps to show that what was once unclean for God’s people to worship Him is no longer unclean because Christ has made all things clean through His sacrifice. There is now no separation between Jew and Gentile, so Peter is no longer hindered by the Gentiles’ “uncleanness,” but is now free to bring the gospel to Cornelius (cf. 10:28–29). Thus, the translation as “slaughter” here helps to clearly bring out the significance of this vision for the advancement of the gospel.

defiled
The word κοινόω (koinoō) is translated consistently in such contexts with the word “defile” (Matt 15:11, 18, 20; Mark 7:2, 5, 15, 18, 20, 23). Such defilement came from eating something that was not approved by God. The fact that God commands Peter here to eat foods which previously would have defiled him demonstrates that God now approves of them, corresponding His approval of the Gentiles included as His people.

defiled
Refer to the discussion on verse 8 above.

taking issue
Refer to the discussion on verse 2 above.

brothers
Refer to the discussion on verse 1 above.

prevent
The phrase “prevent God’s way” is chosen here because “prevent” provides a more literal rendering of the Greek verb κωλύω (kōlyō) than something like “stand in,” which is a more idiomatic rendering. The word here conveys the idea of “hindering,” “stopping,” or “preventing” something from happening, and appears earlier in 10:47 as “refuse.” Here, because “prevent” maintains the proper meaning of the term without confusion, this literal translation is used here to give the reader the clearest window into the Greek text.

began to encourage
The phrase “began to encourage” brings out the imperfect tense of the verb παρεκάλει (parakalei). The imperfect tense usually communicates continual or ongoing action. Here, it is specifically used as an ‘ingressive imperfect,’ meaning that the action is seen as beginning and then continuing. The translation, “began to encourage” helps to portray this in English. Luke does not describe Barnabas’ ministry in overview fashion, but rather pictures it as an ongoing process, as Barnabas begins and continues on encouraging the believers.

purposeful
The word “purposeful” translates πρόθεσις (prothesis), which refers to a plan or intentional forethought. One of the marks of a true believer is intentionality—a purposeful heart—to remain true to the Lord. Barnabas, the son of encouragement, sought to encourage this persistent intentionality in the church as they pursued faithfulness to Christ.

crowd
Though some translations render this as “numbers,” the word is the common word for “crowd” (ὂχλος; ochlos) used throughout the New Testament, and is rendered the same way here. This word emphasizes the plentitude of people described. Throughout the gospels, crowds flocked about Jesus as His impact and popularity were demonstrated. Here also, “crowd” describes a very large mass of people, which Luke intensifies further with the adjective “considerable” (Gk ἱκανὸς; hikanos). This demonstrates the effectiveness of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit to bring more and more people to the Lord and to grow them in the faith through the encouragement and teaching of the apostles.

search
“Search” is used here to translate ἀναζητέω (anazēteō) because it rightly shows the slightly intensified sense of this verb better than an alternative rendering such as “look for.” The verb ζητέω (zeteō) generally means to “seek” or “look for.” The added prefix ἀνα- (ana-) intensifies the action slightly, communicating a greater intentionality or care in seeking. The translation “search” helps to bring this out. It was very important to Barnabas to find Saul that he might encourage him and that the two of them together might edify the believers in Antioch through teaching because this would continue to build up a firm foundation for the fledgling church.

crowd
Refer to the discussion on verse 24 above.