Note 4 at Acts 11:21: This term, "the hand of the Lord," is referring to the power and blessing of the Lord being with them, probably manifestrd through the working of signs and miracles (Mk. 16:20).

Note 5 at Acts 11:21: Although the gospel had first been preached to the Gentiles by Peter (Acts 10:28-43), this is when Gentiles began to be converted to Christianity in large numbers. This caused the Jerusalem church to send out Barnabas to evaluate what was happening (v. 22).