Peter Is Called to Account for What Happened
Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him. “You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!” they said. Then Peter told them exactly what had happened.
Acts 11:1-4
This is one of the reasons why I write the Bible Gems. I have told you all a number of times that I would practice this process whether I sent them to you or not. The practice of going thorough the text before us and paying attention to every word pays off. It uncovers things I have never realised before as has happened today. I never actually know what I am going to cover before I write the morning’s Gem. It’s live and happening as I write. This morning is a case in point. Here is how the translations handle Acts 11:2.
καὶ ὅτε ἀνέβη Πέτρος εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα διεκρίνοντο πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ ἐκ περιτομῆς
and when {went up} Peter to Jerusalem disputed {to/with} him the {from/out of} {circumcision ones}
- (AMP) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party [certain Jewish Christians] found fault with him [separating themselves from him in a hostile spirit, opposing and disputing and contending with him],
- (ASV) And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
- (BBE) And when Peter came to Jerusalem, those who kept the rule of circumcision had an argument with him,
- (CEV) So when Peter came to Jerusalem, some of the Jewish followers started arguing with him. They wanted Gentile followers to be circumcised, and
- (EMTV) And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were contending with him,
- (ERV) But when Peter came to Jerusalem, some Jewish believers argued with him.
- (ESV) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticised him, saying,
- (GNB) When Peter went to Jerusalem, those who were in favour of circumcising Gentiles criticised him, saying,
- (GW) However, when Peter went to Jerusalem, the believers who insisted on circumcision began to argue with him.
- (ISV) But when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those who emphasised circumcision disagreed with him.
- (JUB) When Peter was come up to Jerusalem, those that were of the circumcision contended with him,
- (KJV) And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
- (LEB) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision took issue with him,
- (LITV) And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
- (MSG) When Peter got back to Jerusalem, some of his old associates, concerned about circumcision, called him on the carpet:
- (Murdock) And when Simon went up to Jerusalem, they who were of the circumcision contended with him,
- (NASB) And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him,
- (NLT) But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticised him.
- (RV) And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
- (TLV) But when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision took issue with him,
- (WEB) When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,
- (Webster) And when Peter had come to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
- (YLT) and when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were contending with him,
The term Luke uses here is very interesting. Those of the circumcision [οἱ ἐκ περιτομῆς] is a term that Paul used in Galatians 2:12 for the circumcision party. Those who held to the claim that all Gentiles must be circumcised in order to be included in God’s blessings. The letter of Galatians is written pure and simply to contend with this group and to ask the Galatians why they got sucked in by this these people again. This use of [οἱ ἐκ περιτομῆς] is almost anachronistic, out of its time period or sequence. Why is Luke using it here, at an earlier time, related to the Cornelius story. Paul doesn’t use it until Galatians and Luke spend a lot of time with Paul but not until well after this incident or story of Cornelius’ conversion.
This term can be used in a general sense to mean Jews, those of the circumcision.
This construction could simply refer to
- Jewish believers
- Those who emphasised circumcision
- Those belonged to the group who advocated all Gentiles had to be circumcised
The use of this term here in the Cornelius story is a strong indication that the Jewish believers who opposed Paul here were the same group who caused him to write the letter to the Galatians. This would indicate that this group was present and active right from this early time in confronting Peter on his return from meeting with Cornelius’ household. If that is the case then this encounter indicates that this was more than some mild criticism for Peter when he came back.
The word used to describe this criticism is [diakrino] which has a range of meanings. To oppose; contend, argue, disagree, criticise, render a decision or ruling, to judge, to discriminate, contend, to differ, discern, doubt, be partial, stagger, waver. To separate thoroughly, or to withdraw from, or (by implication) or (reflexively) hesitate. Take issue with. Or as Peterson suggest in the Message to call on the carpet. This was no passing matter where these people simply criticised Peter for what he had done but it was the beginning of an ongoing dispute which continued. This is especially so when we read what these men said in verse 3. “You went to uncircumcised men [the akrobustia] and ate with them.” This word [akrobustia] is a contemptuous expression for “Gentile filth” indicating the strength of the opposition expressed by “these Jewish believers”. This is no passing phase or a light dispute. It is the beginning of rift which we will explore further.
Are you encountering some opposition, some criticism? Don’t worry it happens to everyone.
You can’t live on this earth without being criticised.
Ian Vail
You’ll never do anything creative, innovative or world changing if you fear criticism. Pioneers are easy targets 4 arrows!
Anon
Judge the criticism; love the critic. If it’s true change; if it’s not, forgive.
Regina Brett
Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.
Anon
Criticism is something we can avoid by doing nothing, saying nothing and being nothing.
Aristotle
Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember the only taste of success some people have, is when they take a bite out of you!
Anon