Acts 11:30
in Acts 11This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
KJV
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
⋯
This verse in Acts 11
Commentary
11 notes on this verse"To send relief to the brethren." From this it becomes clear that the apostles held the dignity of elders as well, although, besides this, they were at the rank of deacons and bishops.
This site's exposition
determined to send relief unto the brethren
on Acts 11:29-30
The disciples at Antioch determined to send relief to the brethren in Judea, every man giving according to his ability, the church's first recorded act of financial fellowship between a Gentile-heavy congregation and the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. They sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul, the same two men just named as teachers, entrusted now as couriers of the church's charity as well as its word. The pattern anticipates the collection Paul organizes among the Gentile churches in his later letters, the nations owing a material debt to the mother church that gave them the gospel.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
"Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." Do you mark them, that no sooner do they believe than they bring forth fruit, not only for their own but for those afar off? And Barnabas is sent and Saul, to minister the same. Of this occasion he says to the Galatians, "And James, Cephas, and John gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, only that we should remember the poor."
Again they justified themselves to the Jews, that the Gentiles were receiving the word, even without enjoying so great attention. There is about to be a questioning: therefore the affair of Cornelius forestalled it. Then indeed they say, "That we to the Gentiles, and they to the Circumcision." Observe, henceforth the very stress of the famine introduces the fellowship on the part of the Gentiles, namely, from the alms. For they receive the offerings sent from them.
The Medieval Church1 voice
Now the disciples, each according to what they had, decided to send aid to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Paul. Here the disciples seem, to those who understand poorly, not …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Which they also did,.... They not only determined, but they put their resolutions into execution, and acted according to a rule which the apostle recommends, 2Co 8:11 and sent it to the elders; to the apostles; for though there were deacons there, yet they chose to send it to them, that they might put it into proper hands to distribute to the necessitous: and this collection they sent by the hands of Saul and Barnabas; of this journey to Jerusalem, Paul makes no mention in Gal 1:17.
Some for good-will, and some for ill-will, would spread the report of it; so that before he himself had returned to Jerusalem the apostles and the brethren there and in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God, that is, the gospel of Christ, which is not only a word of God, but the word of God; for it is the summary and centre of all divine revelation.
4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Many a good motion of that kind is made and commended, but is not prosecuted, and so comes to nothing. But this was pursued, the collection was made, and was so considerable that they thought it worth while to send Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem, to carry it to the elders there, though they would want their labours in the mean time at Antioch.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
And sent it to the elders - These probably mean those who first believed on Christ crucified, either of the seventy disciples mentioned Luke, Luk 10:1, or the one hundred and twenty mentioned, Act 1:15, or the seven deacons, Act 6:5. Some have divided the primitive disciples into three classes: 1. The αυτοπται, those who were eye witnesses. 2. The απαρχαι, those who were the first fruits, or converts of the apostles’ preaching. 3. The διαδοχοι, those who were the successors of the preceding from whom they had received the doctrines of the Gospel.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
sent it to the elders--an office well known to be borrowed from the synagogue; after the model of which, and not at all of the temple, the Christian Churches were constituted by the apostles. by the hands of Barnabas and Saul--This was Saul's SECOND VISIT TO JERUSALEM after his conversion.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Sent it to the elders - Greek: to the presbyters. This is the first mention which we have in the New Testament of elders, or presbyters, in the Christian church. The word literally denotes “aged men,” but in the Jewish synagogue it was merely a name of office. It is clear, however, I think, that the elders of the Jewish synagogue here are not included, for the relief Was intended for the “brethren” (Act 11:29); that is, the Christians who were at Jerusalem, and it is not probable that a charity like. this would have been entrusted to the hands of Jewish elders. The connection here does not enable us to determine anything about the sense in which the word was used. I think it probable that it does not refer to officers in the church, but that it means simply that the charity was entrusted to the aged, prudent, and experienced men in the church, for distribution among the members. Calvin supposes that the apostles were particularly intended. But this is not probable. It is possible that the deacons, who were probably aged men, may be here particularly referred to, but it seems more probable that the charity was sent to the aged members of the church without respect to their office, to be distributed according to their discretion.
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὃ | ho | which | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἐποίησαν | epoiesan | they did | G4160 → | 569 times |
| ἀποστείλαντες | aposteilantes | having sent [it] | G649 → | 132 times |
| πρὸς | pros | to | G4314 → | 700 times |
| τοὺς | tous | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πρεσβυτέρους | presbuterous | elders | G4245 → | 65 times |
| διὰ | dia | through | G1223 → | 664 times |
| χειρὸς | cheiros | [the] hand | G5495 → | 175 times |
| Βαρναβᾶ | barnaba | of Barnabas | G921 → | 28 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| Σαύλου.¶ | saulou | Saul. | G4569 → | 15 times |
ὃwhich
hoG3739 →1405 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἐποίησανthey did
epoiesanG4160 →569 times
ἀποστείλαντεςhaving sent [it]
aposteilantesG649 →132 times
πρὸςto
prosG4314 →700 times
τοὺςthe
tousG3588 →19766 times
πρεσβυτέρουςelders
presbuterousG4245 →65 times
διὰthrough
diaG1223 →664 times
χειρὸς[the] hand
cheirosG5495 →175 times
Βαρναβᾶof Barnabas
barnabaG921 →28 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
Σαύλου.¶Saul.
saulouG4569 →15 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Timothy 5:17Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
it leads to
- Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for…
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.
- Galatians 6:6
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
- Luke 10:7
Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
- Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
- Hebrews 13:17
Through
Acts 14:23Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
it leads to
- Titus 1:5
The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
- James 5:14
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
- Titus 1:5
Through
Acts 12:25When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
it leads to
- Acts 12:12
And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
- Acts 12:12
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Acts
Who and where
2 names in this verse with a page on the site.
- PersonNew TestamentBarnabasThe Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles nicknamed son of encouragement; he vouched for Saul when nobody in Jerusalem would go nea…
- PersonUnited monarchySaulIsrael's first king, head and shoulders above the people; began in humility, ended in rejection — sparing what God devoted, consul…
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Retractions on Acts; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentary upon the Acts of the Apostles; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 25; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.