Acts 18 22

Acts 18:22 kjv

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Acts 18:22 nkjv

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Acts 18:22 niv

When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

Acts 18:22 esv

When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.

Acts 18:22 nlt

The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.

Acts 18 verses

Acts 18 22 Meaning

Acts 18:22 concisely describes Paul’s brief movements at the conclusion of his second missionary journey. After disembarking in Caesarea, a significant Roman port, Paul made an implied visit to Jerusalem to greet the mother church before returning to his sending church in Antioch, Syria. This brief interaction with the broader Christian community underscores his ongoing commitment to apostolic fellowship and unity within the nascent Church, bridging the work of Hellenistic missions with the foundational believers in Judea.

Acts 18 22 Context

Acts 18:22 concludes Paul's second missionary journey. The preceding verses recount Paul's ministry in Corinth (where he spent 18 months), then his brief stop in Ephesus alongside Aquila and Priscilla, where he first preached in the synagogue. Despite invitations to stay longer, Paul had a sense of urgency to depart. This verse marks a critical transition, as Paul departs from Asia Minor via the Aegean Sea. His primary destination, implied by the use of specific directional verbs, was not merely Caesarea but Jerusalem (the implied visit to "the church"), before returning to Antioch, which was his missionary base and sending church. This act fulfills his ongoing obligation and prepares him for the third missionary journey.

Acts 18 22 Word analysis

• When he had landed (ἀποβὰς - apobas): A participle meaning "having disembarked." It denotes the completed action of coming ashore from the ship, signaling the end of the sea leg of his journey.
• at Caesarea (Καϊσάρεια - Kaisareia): A major Roman administrative and port city in Judea. Built by Herod the Great, it was a hub for travel and communication, crucial for maritime arrivals and departures in the region. Its strategic location made it a frequent stop for Paul (Acts 9:30, 21:8, 23:33, 25:1,13).
• he went up (ἀναβὰς - anabas): A participle meaning "having gone up." In Greek usage, especially in the context of travel in Judea, anabainō (to go up) almost invariably refers to ascending to Jerusalem due to its elevated geographical position relative to the coastal plain (Caesarea) and its profound spiritual significance as the holy city and seat of the temple. The verb "went up" thus strongly implies a brief visit to Jerusalem.
• and greeted (ἀσπασάμενος - aspasamenos): A participle meaning "having greeted" or "saluted." This reflects the customary exchange of goodwill and fellowship among believers. It suggests an intention to connect with the local Christian community.
• the church (τὴν ἐκκλησίαν - tēn ekklēsian): Refers to the assembly of believers. Given the strong implication of "went up" to Jerusalem, this would most likely refer to the mother church in Jerusalem, rather than a local congregation in Caesarea. Paul's practice included reporting back to the Jerusalem church, reinforcing unity and apostolic oversight.
• and then went down (κατέβη - katebē): An aorist verb, "he went down." This verb katabainō (to go down) is the geographical and logical complement to "went up." From Jerusalem, any path towards Antioch would involve a descent in elevation, even if through other regions. It further reinforces the likelihood of the Jerusalem visit.
• to Antioch (Ἀντιόχειαν - Antiocheian): Antioch in Syria, often referred to as Syrian Antioch. It was Paul’s home church and the primary launching point for his missionary journeys. Returning here signified the official conclusion of his second missionary journey and a period of rest and reporting.

Word-groups analysis

• "he went up and greeted the church": This phrase is highly significant. The consistent biblical pattern of "going up" to Jerusalem, combined with Paul's previous practices of reporting to and seeking approval from the Jerusalem apostles, suggests this was more than a casual greeting. It was an acknowledgment of the spiritual authority and communal bond with the "mother church" or the main apostolic body.
• "When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up...and then went down to Antioch": This entire sequence illustrates Paul’s method of reporting and refreshing his connection with the central leadership before embarking on new missionary ventures. It delineates a journey from a port, to a central spiritual hub, and finally back to his home base. The omission of detailed events in Jerusalem suggests either a short, non-eventful visit, or that Luke simply aimed for narrative brevity.

Acts 18 22 Bonus section

The concise nature of this verse and the implied Jerusalem visit contrasts sharply with other, more detailed accounts of Paul's visits to Jerusalem (e.g., Acts 15; Acts 21). Scholars suggest this brevity might indicate that the visit was solely for greeting and reporting, without significant theological debate or new developments relevant to Luke's primary narrative themes. It solidifies the structure of the early church's inter-church relationships, showing a hierarchical-geographical significance attached to Jerusalem and Antioch as primary centers. This short break in Antioch (18:23) before the start of the Third Missionary Journey allowed Paul to consolidate his experiences and continue strategizing for the expansion of the Gospel.

Acts 18 22 Commentary

Acts 18:22 acts as a brief, transitional statement marking the conclusion of Paul's highly fruitful second missionary journey. Paul’s arrival at Caesarea and subsequent "going up" to greet "the church" almost certainly refers to a quick visit to the Jerusalem church. This brief mention, though lacking detail, speaks volumes about Paul's unwavering commitment to the unity of the body of Christ. Despite being the apostle to the Gentiles, he regularly acknowledged and fostered communion with the Jewish-Christian leadership in Jerusalem, adhering to the decision of the Jerusalem Council. This ensured the solidarity of the wider Christian movement. Following this duty, Paul returned to Antioch, his base, likely to rest, report on his journey, and prepare for his next endeavor, continuing a pattern of disciplined ministry and accountability within the early Church structure. The journey demonstrates both a commitment to his specific mission and to the broader Christian fellowship.