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 14:21KJV
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Acts 14:21 (KJV)

What does Acts 14:21 mean?

Acts 14:21 describes how Paul and Barnabas preached the good news about Jesus in a city, taught many people there, and then traveled back to the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. This verse shows their commitment to both spreading the message and revisiting places where they had already worked.

Paul and Barnabas are the main figures in this verse, and they are on their first missionary journey. After sharing the gospel and teaching in one city (likely Derbe, based on the context), they retrace their steps to earlier cities where they had already faced both interest and opposition. This return trip highlights their dedication to encouraging and strengthening the new believers in those places.

The Greek behind Acts 14:21

  • The word for "gospel" is εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō), which means to announce good news. In this context, it specifically refers to sharing the message about Jesus.
  • The word for "taught" is μαθητεύω (mathēteuō), meaning to make disciples or to teach in a way that leads to learning and following. This shows that Paul and Barnabas were not just informing people, but helping them become committed followers.
  • The word for "again" is ὑποστρέφω (hupostrephō), which means to return or go back. This emphasizes that Paul and Barnabas deliberately revisited cities where they had already ministered, rather than moving on to entirely new places.

Why Acts 14:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Paul and Barnabas were not only focused on reaching new people, but also on strengthening and supporting those who had already responded to their message.
  • The mention of returning to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch connects this verse to earlier events in Acts, showing a pattern of follow-up and care for new communities of believers.
  • Understanding the original words for "gospel" and "taught" highlights that their work involved both sharing the message and helping people grow in faith, not just one or the other.

Where else these words appear

“taught” Greek G3100 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
  • Matthew 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
  • Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

“Lystra” Greek G3082 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 14:6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
  • Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
  • Acts 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

“Iconium” Greek G2430 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
  • Acts 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
  • Acts 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

“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 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
  • 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: