Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

ACTS 11:25KJV
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Acts 11:25 (KJV)

What does Acts 11:25 mean?

Acts 11:25 describes how Barnabas traveled to the city of Tarsus to look for Saul. This verse shows Barnabas taking the initiative to find Saul and bring him into the work that was happening among new believers.

At this point in the story, the early Christian movement was spreading beyond Jerusalem. Barnabas had been sent to Antioch to encourage the new church there. Seeing the need for help, Barnabas decided to seek out Saul (later known as Paul), who was in Tarsus, so they could work together in teaching and leading the growing community.

The Greek behind Acts 11:25

  • ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen, "departed"): This word often means to go out from one place to another, highlighting Barnabas’s deliberate action in leaving Antioch to find Saul.
  • ζητῆσαι (zētēsai, "to seek"): The Greek here carries the sense of searching with effort, not just a casual look. Barnabas was actively and purposefully seeking Saul, showing the importance of Saul’s role in the mission.

Why Acts 11:25 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that Barnabas recognized Saul’s gifts and saw the value in including him in the growing church’s work, rather than working alone.
  • Acts 11:25 sets up the partnership between Barnabas and Saul, which becomes a major theme in the following chapters as they travel and teach together.
  • The verse connects the story of Saul, who had been away from the main events for some time, back into the center of the early church’s mission.

Where else these words appear

“seek” Greek G327 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

“Tarsus” Greek G5019 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 9:30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
  • Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

“Saul” Greek G4569 · used in 17 verses

  • Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
  • Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
  • Acts 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

“Barnabas” Greek G921 · used in 28 verses

  • Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas,(which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
  • Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
  • Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.