Acts 14 21

Acts 14:21 kjv

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

Acts 14:21 nkjv

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

Acts 14:21 niv

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

Acts 14:21 esv

When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,

Acts 14:21 nlt

After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia,

Acts 14 verses

Acts 14 21 Meaning

After evangelizing in Derbe and discipling a significant number of people there, the apostles Paul and Barnabas made a deliberate and courageous decision to retrace their steps, returning to Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch, the very cities where they had recently faced severe opposition and even violent persecution, to solidify the nascent churches and strengthen the believers.

Acts 14 21 Context

This verse is situated at the close of Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey. Having departed from Antioch in Pisidia, then moving through Iconium and Lystra, they faced escalating Jewish and Gentile opposition in each city, culminating in Paul being stoned and left for dead outside Lystra (Acts 14:19). Miraculously recovering, they journeyed to Derbe, preached the Gospel, and made many disciples there. Acts 14:21 then describes their counter-intuitive decision to return to the hostile cities. The historical context shows these were Roman cities within the province of Galatia, accustomed to their local religious practices, making the monotheistic, Christ-centered Gospel a challenging message. The decision to revisit places of extreme danger underscores their deep commitment to nurturing the newly formed Christian communities, not merely making initial converts. It sets the stage for the important work of consolidating the churches by appointing elders, as mentioned in the subsequent verses (Acts 14:23), thus establishing foundational church structures in challenging environments.

Acts 14 21 Word analysis

• And when they had preached (εὐαγγελισάμενοι - euangelisamenoi): This word signifies "to bring good news," "to proclaim the gospel." It specifically refers to the initial declaration of the saving message of Jesus Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection—as the path to salvation. This was their primary mission, bringing the foundational truth of God's redemptive plan.
• the gospel (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον - to euangelion): Literally, "the good message" or "good news." In the New Testament, this refers uniquely to the good news concerning salvation through Jesus Christ. It encompasses the entirety of God's redemptive work.
• to that city (τῇ πόλει ἐκείνῃ - tē polei ekeinē): Refers specifically to Derbe. After the life-threatening experience in Lystra, Derbe represented a new, perhaps safer, field of ministry where their work met with considerable success, free from immediate, violent persecution.
• and had taught (μαθητεύσαντες - mathēteusantes): This verb means "to make disciples" or "to instruct learners." It implies more than just initial preaching; it suggests a process of training, instructing, and establishing new believers in the tenets of the faith, guiding them towards spiritual maturity. This distinguishes it from mere proclamation.
• many (ἱκανούς - hikanous): Signifies a "considerable," "sufficient," or "large number." It indicates the effectiveness of their ministry in Derbe, implying that their efforts bore substantial fruit in terms of new converts who also became disciples.
• they returned (ὑπέστρεψαν - hypestrepsan): "They turned back" or "went back." This act highlights their incredible courage and selfless dedication. Returning to hostile territory where they faced near-fatal persecution demonstrates their conviction that the spiritual needs of the fledgling churches outweighed personal safety. It underscores a shepherd's heart for their flock.
• again (πάλιν - palin): Emphasizes the repetition of the journey. This implies revisiting locations where they were known and unwelcome, further stressing the boldness of their actions.
• to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch: These are the very cities where Paul and Barnabas had encountered severe and life-threatening persecution on their outward journey. Lystra saw Paul stoned; Iconium, a plot to stone them; and Antioch (Pisidian), expulsion. Their deliberate return shows a resolve to consolidate the churches formed despite such intense opposition. This demonstrated perseverance in the face of adversity for the sake of the newly established believers.

Acts 14 21 Bonus section

The courageous return of Paul and Barnabas lays a strong biblical foundation for what modern missions refer to as "follow-up" and "church planting," emphasizing the holistic approach that includes not just initial conversion but also nurturing, teaching, and organizing new believers into sustainable communities. Their act directly paved the way for the appointment of elders (Acts 14:23), demonstrating the apostles' vision for self-governing and stable local churches that could endure even in their absence, a crucial principle for the longevity of the Christian faith. This decision solidified the Galatian churches' foundations despite the region's inherent challenges and marked the completion of the first phase of their missionary journey with remarkable resilience and faithfulness.

Acts 14 21 Commentary

Acts 14:21 offers a profound insight into the unwavering commitment and strategic purpose of the early apostles. Having fulfilled their mission of initial evangelism and making disciples in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas did something counter-intuitive: they turned back to the cities from which they had been driven out with extreme violence. This was not a random decision but a deliberate act rooted in their conviction for the stability and spiritual health of the fledgling Christian communities. Their return signifies that evangelism, though vital, is only the beginning. True ministry involves a dedicated process of discipleship, which includes nurturing new converts, establishing sound doctrine, and providing foundational leadership.

The phrase "preached the gospel and had taught many" highlights two distinct yet complementary aspects of ministry: initial evangelistic proclamation and ongoing discipleship or teaching. Preaching initiates the call to faith, while teaching grounds believers in their new walk, transforming them into true disciples of Christ. The courage demonstrated by Paul and Barnabas in returning to Lystra (where Paul was stoned), Iconium (where they narrowly escaped stoning), and Pisidian Antioch (from where they were expelled) is a powerful testimony to their prioritization of God's work over personal safety. It shows that effective spiritual leadership often requires great personal cost and willingness to face danger for the spiritual welfare of others. This crucial act allowed them to appoint elders (Acts 14:23), solidifying leadership and structure for the scattered and vulnerable new believers, thus ensuring the endurance and growth of these vital early churches in the face of ongoing challenges. Their example sets a precedent for enduring love and dedication in ministry.