And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

ACTS 11:26KJV
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Acts 11:26 (KJV)

What does Acts 11:26 mean?

Acts 11:26 describes how Barnabas found Saul (Paul) and brought him to Antioch, where they spent a year meeting with the church and teaching many people. This verse also notes that it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians."

Barnabas had gone to find Saul after seeing the growth of the church in Antioch, a major city where many non-Jews were coming to faith. Together, they taught the new believers for a whole year, helping to establish the church. The term "Christians" was first used here, likely by outsiders, to identify the followers of Jesus Christ.

The Greek behind Acts 11:26

  • ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia): This word, translated as "church," originally meant an assembly or gathering. In this context, it refers to the community of believers in Antioch, showing the early church as a gathered group rather than a building.
  • Χριστιανός (Christianos): This is the word translated as "Christians." It combines "Christ" (the title for Jesus) with a suffix meaning "belonging to" or "follower of." The use of this term in Antioch marks a significant moment where Jesus' followers were given a distinct identity by those around them.
  • ἐνιαυτός (eniautos): Translated as "year," this word emphasizes the length of time Barnabas and Saul invested in teaching and building up the church in Antioch.

Why Acts 11:26 matters

  • Acts 11:26 clarifies that the name "Christian" was not originally chosen by Jesus' followers themselves, but was given to them by others in Antioch, highlighting how their identity became distinct in the wider society.
  • The verse shows the importance of teaching and community in the early church, as Barnabas and Saul dedicated a full year to helping new believers grow in faith.
  • This moment connects to the broader story of Acts, showing the spread of the gospel beyond Jewish communities and the formation of a new, diverse group of believers.

Where else these words appear

“Christians” Greek G5546 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
  • 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

“called” Greek G5537 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
  • Hebrews 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

“year” Greek G1763 · used in 14 verses

  • Luke 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
  • Acts 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
  • Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

“Antioch” Greek G490 · used in 17 verses

  • Acts 11:19 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.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
  • Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: