And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

ACTS 13:49KJV
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Acts 13:49 (KJV)

What does Acts 13:49 mean?

Acts 13:49 says that the message about Jesus, called "the word of the Lord," spread widely across the whole region. The verse highlights how the news about Jesus did not stay in one place but quickly reached many people in the surrounding area.

In this part of Acts, Paul and Barnabas are in the city of Antioch in Pisidia, sharing the message of Jesus with both Jews and non-Jews. After some local opposition, they continue to speak boldly, and many people respond. This verse sums up the result: the message traveled far beyond the city, showing how quickly and widely the early Christian message was shared.

The Greek behind Acts 13:49

  • λόγος (logos): This word, translated as "word," often means a message or teaching, not just a single word. Here, it refers to the whole message about Jesus and what God has done.
  • διαφέρω (diapherō): Translated as "published," this Greek word carries the sense of something being spread abroad or carried through. It suggests active movement and wide distribution, emphasizing that the message was not just spoken quietly but was actively spreading everywhere.
  • ὅλη (holē): This word means "all" or "whole," stressing that the message reached the entire region, not just a small part.

Why Acts 13:49 matters

  • Acts 13:49 shows that the message about Jesus quickly spread beyond a single group or city, highlighting the early Christian movement's rapid growth.
  • The verse emphasizes that the "word of the Lord" was not limited to a select few but was meant for everyone in the region, reflecting the inclusive nature of the message.
  • By connecting this verse to the wider story in Acts 13, readers see how opposition did not stop the message; instead, it continued to spread, showing the resilience and determination of the early believers.

Where else these words appear

“published” Greek G1308 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

“region” Greek G5561 · used in 27 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 8:26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
  • John 11:55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

“all” Greek G3650 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Mark 15:16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
  • Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: