What Does Acts 11:1 Mean in the King James?
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek behind “received” carries the sense of welcome: God’s word is welcomed beyond the circle that expects to receive it.
THE MEANING
God’s word is welcomed among people outside the familiar circle, and the news reaches those already gathered around it. The verse holds both realities together: the welcome has already happened, and the community hears of it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that God’s word belongs only to people already inside the recognized community dissolves: the Gentiles receive it too.
THE ROOT
ἐδέξαντο
edexanto
GROWS FROM
δέχομαι
dechomai
to receive, take in, welcome
The verb carries the warmth of welcoming something in, not merely coming into contact with it. English “received” holds that welcome quietly; the Greek makes it central to how the word of God reaches the Gentiles.
ALSO GROWS
apodechomai: to receive or welcome gladly
ἀποδέχομαι
Acts 2:41 uses this related verb for those who gladly receive the word, showing reception as an active welcome.
dektos: acceptable, welcome
δεκτός
This related form describes what can be received; it echoes the openness in the Gentiles’ reception here.
λόγον
logon
GROWS FROM
λέγω
legō
to say or speak; λόγος is what is said, a word or message
The word received here is λόγος, something expressed and communicated, not an abstract possession. The verse joins God’s speaking with human welcome: the message reaches people, and they take it in.
ALSO GROWS
legō: to say, speak
λέγω
This verb names the act of expression from which λόγος carries the sense of what is said.
logion: an utterance or saying, often a divine saying
λόγιον
This related word makes the link between λόγος and spoken divine instruction visible.
THE PATTERN
God’s welcome reaches people across boundaries that seem to define who can receive the word.
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.THE THREAD
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:Acts 8 uses the same Greek verb family, δέχομαι (dechomai), for Samaria receiving the word of God. Here the same kind of welcome reaches the Gentiles, opening the verse into a repeated pattern: the word is received across communal boundaries.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us