New International Version
Acts 11:23
23When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
Acts 11:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
- English Standard Version (ESV)When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
- New King James Version (NKJV)When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
- New Living Translation (NLT)When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.
Context of Acts 11:23
21The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
Read all of Acts 11Acts 11:23 word by word
ὃς παραγενόμενος καὶ ἰδὼν τὴν χάριν τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐχάρη καὶ παρεκάλει πάντας τῇ προθέσει τῆς καρδίας προσμένειν τῷ κυρίῳ·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Whoὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- when he cameπαραγίνομαιparaginomai · to comeG3854
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- had seenὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- the graceὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the graceχάριςcharis · graceG5485
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- was gladχαίρωchairō · to rejoiceG5463
- exhortedπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870
- them allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- that with purposeπρόθεσιςprothesis · purposeG4286
- of heartκαρδίαkardia · heartG2588
- they would cleaveπροσμένωprosmenō · to remain/persistG4357
- unto the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
Cross-references for Acts 11:23
- Mark 2:5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
- Colossians 1:6that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Timothy 1:4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
- 2 Peter 1:4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
- 3 John 1:4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
- Acts 13:43When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
- Acts 14:22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- John 8:31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
- John 15:4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
- Hebrews 10:19Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
- 2 Peter 3:17Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
- 1 John 2:28And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
- Psalms 17:3Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.
- Proverbs 23:15My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;
Commentaries on Acts 11:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Had seen the grace of God - That is, had seen the effects produced by the grace of God. By the grace of God, we are to understand: His favor. The manifestations of that favor in the communication of spiritual blessings. And, Principles of light, life, holiness, etc., producing effects demonstrative of the causes from which they sprung. Barnabas saw that these people were objects of the Divine approbation; that they were abundantly blessed and edified…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Had seen the grace of God - The favor, or mercy of God, in converting sinners to himself. Was glad - Approved of what had been done in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, and rejoiced that God had poured down his Spirit on them. The effect of a revival is to produce joy in the hearts of all those who love the Saviour. And exhorted them all - Entreated them. They would be exposed to many trials and temptations, and he sought to secure their firm…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-24Verses 19-24 The first preachers of the gospel at Antioch, were dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution; thus what was meant to hurt the church, was made to work for its good. The wrath of man is made to praise God. What should the ministers of Christ preach, but Christ? Christ, and him crucified? Christ, and him glorified? And their preaching was accompanied with the Divine power. The hand of the Lord was with them, to bring that home to the hearts and…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-24As with the household of Cornelius, many Gentiles believed in Jesus. The growth of Christian faith among Gentiles had to remain in harmony with the church at Jerusalem. So, the Jerusalem Christians sent Barnabas to Antioch to oversee the developments there. Barnabas could see that God’s blessing was on what was happening, so he supported it with joy.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. when he ... had seen the grace of God--in the new converts. was glad--owned and rejoiced in it at once as divine, though they were uncircumcised. exhorted them all that with purpose of heart--as opposed to a hasty and fickle discipleship. they would cleave unto the Lord--the Lord Jesus.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 11:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries