And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
1. And the apostles. Whereas Luke declareth that the fame of one house which was converted was spread abroad everywhere amongst the brethren, that did arise by reason of admiration; for the Jews accounted it as a monster that the Gentiles should be gathered unto them as if they should have heard that there had been men made of stones.
We Gentiles sit in darkness until the gospel reaches us, and that is cause for joy. Yet here the Jerusalem church hears this news with shock, as though they had not been commanded to preach to every creature. Pride and bigotry hold fast against the clearest discoveries of divine truth.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 11:1-18
CHAPTER 11 Verse 1. And the apostles and brethren. The Christians who were in Judea. Heard, etc. So extraordinary an occurrence as that at Caesarea, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, and their reception into the church, would excite attention, and be likely to produce much sensibility in regard to the conduct of Peter and those with him.