Acts 11 · Verse 27

Acts 11:27

And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Acts 11:27, King James Version

Acts 11:27 in other translations

BSBIn those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
WEBNow in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
ASVNow in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
YLTAnd in those days there came from Jerusalem prophets to Antioch,
DARBYNow in these days prophets went down from Jerusalem to Antioch;
BBENow in those days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
WebsterAnd in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.

What does Acts 11:27 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Ac 11:27-30. By Occasion of a Famine Barnabas and Saul Return to Jerusalem with a Contribution for the Relief of Their Suffering Brethren.

27. came prophets from Jerusalem--inspired teachers, a class we shall afterwards frequently meet with, who sometimes, but not necessarily, foretold future events. They are classed next to apostles (1Co 12:28, 29; Ep 4:11).

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 27. And in these days. While Barnabas and Saul were at Antioch.

Came prophets. The word prophet denotes, properly, one who foretells future events. Mt 7:16. It is sometimes used in the New Testament to denote simply religious teachers, instructors sent from God, without particular reference to future events. To teach the people in the doctrines of religion was a part of the prophetic office; and this idea only was sometimes denoted by the use of the word. See Rom 12:6, 1Cor 12:10,28, 13:2,8, 14:3,5,24. These prophets seem to have been endowed in a remarkable manner with the knowledge of future events; with the power of explaining mysteries; and in some cases with the power of speaking foreign languages. In this case, it seems that one of them at least had the power of foretelling future events.

(b) "prophets" Acts 2:17, 13:1, Eph 4:11

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 27 Came prophets from Jerusalem - Though the term prophet is used in the New Testament simply to signify a teacher, (see the note on Gen 20:7, where the subject is largely explained), yet here it evidently means also such as are under Divine inspiration, and foretold future events. This was certainly the case with Agabus, Act 11:28, though, perhaps, his ordinary character was that of a teacher or preacher. It seems from various scriptures, Rom 12:4, etc., 1 Corinthians 13:2-14:40, that the prophets of the New Testament were 1. Teachers or preachers in general. 2. Persons who, on special occasions, were under the influence of the Divine Spirit, and then foretold certain future events. 3. Persons who recited hymns to the honor of God in the public assemblies of the Christians. 4. Persons who prayed in those assemblies, having sometimes the gift of tongues, at other times not. From Eph 2:20; Eph 3:5, we learn that the prophets of the Christian Church were inferior to the apostles; but, from Eph 4:11, we see that they were superior to all other teachers, even to evangelists and pastors.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 11:25-30

Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believes his promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of…

Read the full comment on Acts 11:25-30 →

Acts 11:27 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.

ἘνEnInG1722
ταύταιςtautaistheseG3778
δὲdenowG1161
ταῖςtais<the>G3588
ἡμέραιςhēmeraisdaysG2250
κατῆλθονkatēlthoncame downG2718
ἀπὸapofromG575
ἹεροσολύμωνHi'erosolumōnJerusalemG2414
προφῆταιprophētaiprophetsG4396
εἰςeistoG1519
Ἀντιόχειαν·AntiocheianAntioch;G490

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

Cross references for Acts 11:27

  • Acts 13:1

    Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:28

    And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • Matthew 23:34

    Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

  • Acts 15:32

    And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

  • Acts 2:17

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

  • Acts 21:4

    And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:32

    And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

  • Acts 21:9

    And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
prophets.
2:17; 13:1; 15:32; 21:4,9; Mt 23:34; 1Co 12:28; 14:32; Eph 4:11

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

Context

  • Acts 11:26

    And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

  • Acts 11:27

    And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

  • Acts 11:28

    And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cesar.

Read all of Acts 11

Acts 11:27 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y en aquellos días descendieron de Jerusalem profetas á Antioquía.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or en ces jours-là, des prophètes descendirent de Jérusalem à Antioche.
German
Elberfelder 1871		In diesen Tagen aber kamen Propheten von Jerusalem nach Antiochien herab.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In his autem diebus supervenerunt ab Jerosolymis prophetæ Antiochiam: