Why did the early Jewish believers leave Jerusalem and how far did they go?
They fled Jerusalem because of the persecution connected to Stephen's martyrdom and Saul's persecution. They scattered as far as Phenis, Cyprus, and Antioch, going as far north as Antioch in Syria and throughout the eastern Mediterranean, preaching the word to Jews only.
Les explains that these scattered believers are connected to Stephen's martyrdom, about seven years after Pentecost. Because of Saul's persecution, these believing Jews who had followed Christ in His earthly ministry or responded to Peter's preaching fled Jerusalem. They traveled as far as Phenis, Cyprus, and Antioch, going as far north as Antioch in Syria and throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Wherever they went they preached the word, but to none but Jews only. There was no New Testament yet; they had the Old Testament, which was written to the Jew.
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Who were the believers who fled Jerusalem and why did they leave?
The believers who fled Jerusalem were Jewish believers who had followed Christ during His earthly ministry or responded to Peter's preaching. They left because of Saul's persecution, and the persecution that arose around Stephen, scattering as far as Antioch in Syria, preaching the word to Jews only.
Who were the Jewish believers who were scattered from Jerusalem?
They were believing Jews who had followed Christ during His earthly ministry or responded to Peter’s early Acts preaching. After Stephen’s martyrdom, about seven years after Pentecost, Saul’s persecution drove them from Jerusalem; they scattered as far as Phenis, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching to Jews only.
More Questions
Where did the believers scattered by Stephen's persecution go?
The people who were scattered abroad because of the persecution about Stephen, referred to in Acts 8:1, went as far as Phoenix, Cyprus, and Antioch.
Who were the scattered believers in Acts 11:19 and where did they go?
The people scattered by the persecution over Stephen, referred to in Acts 11:19, are the same people described in Acts 8:1, and they went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.