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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Acts 11:1–5

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
AND the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

24 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 1

  1. Psalms 22:27Rank 1 from verse 1
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    27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

  2. Malachi 1:11Rank 2 from verse 1
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    11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

  3. Romans 15:7–12Rank 3 from verse 1
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    7Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

    8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

    9And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

    10And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

    11And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

    12And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

  4. Isaiah 32:15Rank 4 from verse 1
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    15Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

  5. Acts 14:27Rank 5 from verse 1
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    27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

From verse 2

  1. Acts 10:45Rank 1 from verse 2
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    45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

  2. Acts 10:9Rank 2 from verse 2
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    9¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

  3. Acts 15:1Rank 3 from verse 2
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    1AND certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

  4. Acts 21:20–23Rank 4 from verse 2
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    20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

    21And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

    22What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

    23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

  5. Galatians 2:12–14Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

    13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

    14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

From verse 3

  1. Acts 10:28Rank 1 from verse 3
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    28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

  2. Galatians 2:12Rank 2 from verse 3
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    12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

  3. Luke 15:2Rank 3 from verse 3
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    2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

  4. 1 Corinthians 5:11Rank 4 from verse 3
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    11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

  5. 2 John 1:10Rank 5 from verse 3
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    10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

From verse 4

  1. Luke 1:3Rank 1 from verse 4
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    3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

  2. Acts 14:27Rank 2 from verse 4
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    27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

  3. Joshua 22:21–31Rank 3 from verse 4
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    21¶ Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,

    22The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, (save us not this day,)

    23That we have built us an altar to turn from following the Lord, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the Lord himself require it;

    24And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel?

    25For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the Lord: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the Lord.

    26Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:

    27But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the Lord before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the Lord.

    28Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the Lord, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.

    29God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn this day from following the Lord, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle.

    30¶ And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.

    31And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the Lord is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the Lord: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the Lord.

  4. Proverbs 15:1Rank 4 from verse 4
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    1A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

From verse 5

  1. Acts 10:9–32Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    9¶ On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

    10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

    11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

    12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

    13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

    14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

    15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

    16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

    17Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,

    18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

    19¶ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

    20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

    21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

    22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

    23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

    24And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

    25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

    26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

    27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

    28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

    29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

    30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

    31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

    32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

  2. Amos 8:2Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    2And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the Lord unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.

  3. Acts 11:5–14Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

    6Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

    7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

    8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

    9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

    10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

    11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me.

    12And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

    13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

    14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

  4. Acts 22:17Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

  5. Acts 9:10Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    10¶ And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 11:1

COMBINED MEANING

apostles

↗

1. Persons sent or commissioned as messengers, including apostles of Christ or of the Lamb. 2. Persons who claim or present themselves as apostles without being true apostles.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heard

↗

Sense 1: Perceived by the ear. Sense 2: Received or learned by report. Sense 3: Listened to, regarded, or heeded. Sense 4: Favourably attended to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

received

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of receive (to take, accept, admit, welcome, or obtain).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 11:2

COMBINED MEANING

circumcision

↗

Sense 1: The cutting off of the foreskin. Sense 2: Persons identified with that bodily sign.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

COMBINED MEANING

contended

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of contend. Sense 1: To strive against or oppose, whether in battle, dispute, or judgment. Sense 2: To strive earnestly for or in support of a person or cause.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 11:3

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

uncircumcised

↗

Sense 1: Not circumcised in the flesh. Sense 2: Figuratively, unpurified, unready, resistant, or unreceptive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

eat

↗

To take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 11:4

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

expounded

↗

Explained, interpreted, unfolded, or set forth the meaning or order of a matter.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

order

↗

Sense 1: Arrangement in a sequence, position, rank, class, manner, pattern, or appointed course. Sense 2: An instruction, rule, prescribed service, or kind of office. Sense 3: To set in order: to arrange, recount, repair, regulate, or complete.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 11:5

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

trance

↗

A state in which ordinary awareness is suspended and a vision or extraordinary perception is received.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

vision

↗

Something seen, especially a divinely given sight or revelation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

certain

↗

1. A particular person, thing, place, time, amount, or number not named or not further specified; also some members or portion of a group. 2. Sure, settled, true, reliable, or known beyond doubt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vessel

↗

1. A container or utensil made to hold, carry, or serve. 2. A ship or craft for travel upon water. 3. Figuratively, a person or body regarded as a bearer or instrument.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Acts 11:1–18

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11:1AND the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

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11:2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

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11:3Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

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11:4But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

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11:5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

Selected passage

11:6Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

11:7And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

11:8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

11:9But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

11:10And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11:11And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me.

11:12And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

11:13And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

11:14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

11:15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

11:16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

11:17Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

11:18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

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