Acts 11 · Verse 24

Acts 11:24

For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Acts 11:24, King James Version

Acts 11:24 in other translations

BSB	Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
WEB	For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
ASV	for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
YLT	because he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit, and of faith, and a great multitude was added to the Lord.
DARBY	for he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith; and a large crowd of people were added to the Lord.
BBE	For he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and a great number were joined to the Lord.
Webster	For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit, and of faith: and many people were added to the Lord.

What does Acts 11:24 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

24. For he was a good man--The sense of "good" here is plainly "large-hearted," "liberal-minded," rising above narrow Jewish sectarianism, and that because, as the historian adds, he was "full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." and much people were added unto the Lord--This proceeding of Barnabas, so full of wisdom, love, and zeal, was blessed to the great increase of the Christian community in that important city. Ac 11:25, 26. Barnabas, Finding the Work in Antioch Too Much for Him, Goes to Tarsus for Saul--They Labor There Together for a Whole Year with Much Success, and Antioch Becomes the Honored Birthplace of the Term Christian.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 24. For he was a good man. This is given as a reason why he was so eminently successful. It is not said that he was a man of distinguished talents or learning; that he was a splendid or an imposing preacher; but simply that he was a pious, humble man of God. He was honest, and devoted to his master's work. We should not undervalue talent, eloquence, or learning in the ministry; but we may remark, that humble piety will often do more in the conversion of souls than the most splendid talents. No endowments can be a substitute for this. The real power of a minister is concentrated in this; and without this his ministry will be barrenness and a curse. There is nothing on this earth so mighty as goodness. If a man wished to make-the most of his powers, the true secret would be found in employing them for a good object, and suffering them to be wholly under the direction of benevolence. John Howard's purpose to do good has made a more permanent impression on the interests of the world than the mad ambition of Alexander or Caesar. Perhaps the expression, "he was a good man," means that he was a man of a kind, amiable, and sweet disposition.

Full of the Holy Ghost. Was entirely under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He was eminently a pious man. This is the second qualification here mentioned of a good minister. He was not merely exemplary for mildness and kindness of temper, but he was eminently a man of God. He was filled with the influences of the sacred Spirit, producing zeal, love, peace, joy, etc. See Gal 5:22,23. Comp. Acts 2:4.

And of faith. Confidence in the truth and promises of God. This is the third qualification mentioned; and this was another cause of his success. He confided in God. He trusted to his promises. He depended not on his own strength, but on the strength of the arm of God. With these qualifications he engaged in his work, and he was successful. These qualifications should be sought by the ministry of the gospel. Others should not indeed be neglected, but a man's ministry will usually be successful only as he seeks to possess those endowments which distinguished Barnabas--a kind, tender, benevolent heart; devoted piety; the fulness of the Spirit's influence; and strong, unwavering confidence in the promises and power of God.

And much people. Many people.

Was added unto the Lord. Became Christians.

(i) "full of" Acts 6:5 (++) "Ghost" "Spirit" (k) "much people" Acts 11:21

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 24 For he was a good man - Here is a proper character of a minister of the Gospel. 1. He is a good man: his bad heart is changed; his evil dispositions rooted out; and the mind that was in Christ implanted in him. 2. He is full of the Holy Ghost. He is holy, because the Spirit of holiness dwells in him: he has not a few transient visitations or drawings from that Spirit; it is a resident in his soul, and it fills his heart. It is light in his understanding; it is discrimination in his judgment; it is fixed purpose and determination in righteousness in his will; it is purity, it is love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, and fidelity in his affections and passions. In a word, it has sovereign sway in his heart; it governs all passions, and is the motive and principle of every righteous action. 3. He was full of faith. He implicitly credited his Lord; he knew that he could not lie - that his word could not fail; he expected, not only the fulfillment of all promises, but also every degree of help, light, life, and comfort, which God might at any time see necessary for his Church, he prayed for the Divine blessing, and he believed that he should not pray in vain. His faith never failed, because it laid hold on that God who could not change. Behold, ye preachers of the Gospel! an original minister of Christ. Emulate his piety, his faith, and his usefulness. Much people was added unto the Lord - No wonder, when they had such a minister, preaching by the power of the Holy Ghost, such a Gospel as that of Jesus Christ.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 11:19-24

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…

Read the full comment on Acts 11:19-24 →

Acts 11:24 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅτιhotiForG3754

ἦνēnhe wasG1510

ἀνὴρanēra manG435

ἀγαθὸςagathosgoodG18

καὶkaiandG2532

πλήρηςplērēsfullG4134

πνεύματοςpneumatosof [the] SpiritG4151

ἁγίουhagiouHolyG40

καὶkaiandG2532

πίστεως.pisteōsof faith.G4102

καὶkaiAndG2532

προσετέθηprosetethēwas addedG4369

ὄχλοςochlosa crowdG3793

ἱκανὸςhikanoslargeG2425

τῷtōto theG3588

κυρίῳ.kuriōLord.G2962

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 11:24

Acts 5:14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Psalms 112:5
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Romans 15:15
Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
2 Samuel 18:27
And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
Matthew 19:17
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Proverbs 14:14
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

he was.
24:16; 2Sa 18:27; Ps 37:23; 112:5; Pr 12:2; 13:22; 14:14; Mt 12:35
Mt 19:17; Lu 23:50; Joh 7:12; Ro 5:7
full.
6:3,5,8; Ro 15:15
and much.
21; 5:14; 9:31

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 11:23
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.
Acts 11:24
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Acts 11:25
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

Read all of Acts 11

Acts 11:24 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Porque era varón bueno, y lleno de Espíritu Santo y de fe: y mucha compañía fué agregada al Señor.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	car il était homme de bien et plein de l’Esprit Saint et de foi; et une grande foule fut ajoutée au Seigneur.
German Elberfelder 1871	Denn er war ein guter Mann und voll Heiligen Geistes und Glaubens; und eine zahlreiche Menge wurde dem Herrn hinzugetan.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	quia erat vir bonus, et plenus Spiritu Sancto, et fide. Et apposita est multa turba Domino.