Acts 11:4
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order to them, saying,
American King James Version (AKJV)
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order to them, saying,
American Standard Version (ASV)
But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But Peter gave them an account of it all in order, saying to them,
Webster's Revision
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order to them, saying,
World English Bible
But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
English Revised Version (ERV)
But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying,
Clarke's Acts 11:4 Bible Commentary
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order - Εξετιθετο αυτοις καθεξης. This is the very style of St. Luke; see his Gospel, Luke 1:3. To remove their prejudice, and to give them the fullest reasons for his conduct, he thought it best to give them a simple relation of the whole affair; which he does, as we have seen in the preceding chapter, with a few additional circumstances here. See the notes before.
Barnes's Acts 11:4 Bible Commentary
But Peter rehearsed - Greek: Peter beginning, explained it to them in order; that is, he began with the vision which he saw, and gave a narrative of the various events in order, as they actually occurred. A simple and unvarnished statement of facts is usually the best way of disarming prejudice and silencing opposition. Opposition most commonly arises from prejudice, or from false and exaggerated statements, and such opposition can be best removed, not by angry contention, but by an unvarnished relation of facts. In most cases prejudice will thus be disarmed, and opposition will die away, as was the case in regard to the admission of the Gentiles to the church.
And expounded it - Explained it; stated it as it actually occurred.
In order - One event after another, as they happened. He thus showed that his own mind had been as much biased as theirs, and stated in what manner his prejudices had been removed. It often happens that those who become most zealous and devoted in any new measures for the advancement of religion were as much opposed to them at first as others. They are led from one circumstance to another, until their prejudices die away, and the providence and Spirit of God indicate clearly their duty.
Wesley's Acts 11:4 Bible Commentary
11:4 Peter laid all things before them - So he did not take it ill to be questioned, nor desire to be treated as infallible.And he answers the more mildly because it related to a point which he had not readily believed himself.