And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
And the hand of the Lord, х yad (H3028) Yahweh (H3068)] - His converting power, put forth by His Spirit,
Was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord - or [according to the reading of Lachmann and Tischendorf - polus (G4183) te (G5037) arithmos (G706) ho (G3588) pisteusas (G4100)], 'a great number, who believed, turned to the Lord;' though the evidence for both readings is pretty equal. These conversions, be it remembered, took place BEFORE the accession of Cornelius and his party. Nay, whereas we read of no direct influence which the accession of Cornelius and his house had on the further progress of the Gospel among the Gentiles, there here open upon us operations upon the Gentiles from quite a different quarter, and attended with ever-growing success. In fact, the only great object served by the case of Cornelius was the formal recognition of the principle, which that case ever afterward secured, (see the notes at Acts 15:1-41.)
Tidings of these Surprising Accessions having Reached Jerusalem, Barnabas is Deputed to Examine into Them on the Spot-The Delightful Result (11:22-24)