Acts 11:27
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Now in those days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Webster's Revision
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.
World English Bible
Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Clarke's Acts 11:27 Bible Commentary
Came prophets from Jerusalem - Though the term prophet is used in the New Testament simply to signify a teacher, (see the note on Genesis 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, Acts 11:28, though, perhaps, his ordinary character was that of a teacher or preacher. It seems from various scriptures, Romans 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 Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 3:5, we learn that the prophets of the Christian Church were inferior to the apostles; but, from Ephesians 4:11, we see that they were superior to all other teachers, even to evangelists and pastors.
Barnes's Acts 11:27 Bible Commentary
And in these days - While Barnabas and Saul were at Antioch.
Came prophets - The word "prophet" denotes properly "one who foretells future events." See the notes on Matthew 7:15. 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 was only sometimes denoted by the use of the word. See Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 14:5,1 Corinthians 14:24. 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.