Acts – Chapter 11

New Testament30 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God." — so begins Acts 11. The chapter centers on Peter, Barnabas and Saul. Across its 30 verses, two threads run through the text: holiness and the work of the Spirit. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

3Saying: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised and didst eat with them?

4But Peter began and declared to them the matter in order, saying:

5I was in the city of Joppe praying: and I saw in an ecstasy of mind a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. And it came even unto me.

6Into which looking, I considered and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth and beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air.

7And I heard also a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter. Kill and eat.

8And I said: Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.

9And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made clean, do not thou call common.

10And this was done three times. And all were taken up again into heaven.

11And behold, immediately there were three men come to the house wherein I was, sent to me from Caesarea.

12And the Spirit said to me that I should go with them, nothing doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: and we entered into the man's house.

13And he told us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing and saying to him: Send to Joppe and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter,

14Who shall speak to thee words whereby thou shalt be saved, and all thy house.

15And when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, as upon us also in the beginning.

16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said: John indeed baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17If then God gave them the same grace as to us also who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ: who was I, that could withstand God?

18Having heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying: God then hath also to the Gentiles given repentance, unto life.

19Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose on occasion of Stephen went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none, but to the Jews only.

20But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were entered into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21And the hand of he Lord was with them: and a great number believing, were converted to the Lord.

22And the tidings came to the ears of the church that was at Jerusalem, touching these things: and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch.

23Who, when he was come and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced. And he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord.

24For he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord.

25And Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul: whom, when he had found, he brought to Antioch.

26And they conversed there in the church a whole year: and they taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians.

27And in these days there came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28And one of them named Agabus, rising up, signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over the whole world, which came to pass under Claudius.

29And the disciples, every man according to his ability, purposed to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.

30Which also they did, sending it to the ancients, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Important Verses in Acts 11

And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

Acts 11:1

And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made clean, do not thou call common.

Acts 11:9

If then God gave them the same grace as to us also who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ: who was I, that could withstand God?

Acts 11:17

Who, when he was come and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced. And he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord.

Acts 11:23

Historical Context

Acts belongs to the New Testament and was composed for the growing Church, shown its apostolic origins and missionary calling. Chapter 11 of 28 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 30 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Peter, Barnabas, Saul and Stephen appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God." It concludes: "Which also they did, sending it to the ancients, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. " In terms of historical background, Acts narrates the Church's birth and expansion 'to the ends of the earth': Pentecost, the first community in Jerusalem, the martyrdom of Stephen, the conversion of Paul, the opening to the Gentiles, and Paul's… The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 80-90.

Who Wrote It

Luke, as the second volume of his work

When It Was Written

About AD 80-90

Catholic Commentary

In this 30-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of the Church's mission empowered by the Holy Spirit. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God." The passage repeatedly touches on holiness before God.

Catholic exegesis reads Acts 11 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Acts shows the Church's apostolic foundation (CIC 857-862). St. Basil the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1095).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Acts 11 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

People in This Chapter

Peter4 mentionsBarnabas3 mentionsSaul2 mentionsStephen1 mentionSimon1 mentionJohn1 mention

Reflection for Today

Acts Chapter 11, containing 30 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1324). Here the emphasis falls on courage in witness to the Gospel, which shapes how the Church understands the Church's mission empowered by the Holy Spirit.

As you continue through Acts, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Acts Chapter 11 about?

Acts 11 contains 30 verses. It opens with "And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God." and closes with "Which also they did, sending it to the ancients, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Acts 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Acts Chapter 11?

This chapter mentions Peter, Barnabas, Saul, Stephen, Simon, among others.

Who wrote Acts and when?

Luke, as the second volume of his work. About AD 80-90.

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