Acts 11:20

And some of them were men of Cyprus, and Cyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, spake vnto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Iesus. Acts 11:20 (KJV)

This verse is part of the narrative in the book of Acts that describes the early spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem and the conversion of Gentiles (non‑Jews) into the faith. Let us break down the verse and explore its context. In Acts 11:19 it is recorded that some believers scattered because of the persecution that arose after the martyrdom of Stephen, traveling as far as Phenech, Cyprus, and Antioch, initially preaching only to Jews. These believers, who were originally from Cyprus and Cyrene, later arrived in Antioch—a significant city in the ancient Roman Empire, located in present‑day Turkey. Antioch was a cosmopolitan centre with a large population of both Jews and Gentiles.

The men from Cyprus and Cyrene, having experienced the transforming power of the Gospel themselves, took the opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ with the Grecians (Greek‑speaking Gentiles) in Antioch. They proclaimed the Lord Jesus, announcing His life, death, resurrection, and the salvation that comes through faith in Him. This passage highlights the early missionary efforts of these believers, who reached beyond the Jewish community to bring the good news to Gentiles.

The inclusive nature of the Gospel is emphasized here, extending its reach to people of different backgrounds and cultures. The subsequent verses in Acts 11 reveal that the preaching of these believers in Antioch was accompanied by the Lord’s blessing. Many Gentiles in Antioch believed in Jesus and turned to Him, resulting in a flourishing Christian community. News of this growth reached the church in Jerusalem, prompting them to send Barnabas to Antioch to encourage and support the new believers (Acts 11:22).

Overall, Acts 11:20 marks a pivotal moment when the Gospel began to spread among the Gentiles in Antioch. It underscores the universal nature of salvation in Jesus Christ, available to all people regardless of cultural or ethnic background, and serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing the message of Jesus with others and the transformative power of the Gospel in people’s lives.