Acts 11:19-12:5

New King James Version

Barnabas and Saul at Antioch

^19 (A)Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. ²⁰ But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to ^(B)the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And ^(C)the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and ^(D)turned to the Lord.

²² Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out ^(E)Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. ²³ When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and ^(F)encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. ²⁴ For he was a good man, ^(G)full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. ^(H)And a great many people were added to the Lord.

²⁵ Then Barnabas departed for ^(I)Tarsus to seek Saul. ²⁶ And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Relief to Judea

²⁷ And in these days ^(J)prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ Then one of them, named ^(K)Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of ^(L)Claudius Caesar. ²⁹ Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send ^(M)relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. ^30 (N)This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Herod’s Violence to the Church

12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. ² Then he killed James ^(O)the brother of John with the sword. ³ And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during ^(P)the Days of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ So ^(Q)when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four ^[a]squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Peter Freed from Prison

⁵ Peter was therefore kept in prison, but ^[b]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.