And there they abode long time with the disciples.

ACTS 14:28KJV
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Acts 14:28 (KJV)

What does Acts 14:28 mean?

Acts 14:28 describes how Paul and Barnabas stayed for a significant period with the disciples in Antioch after returning from their missionary journey. The verse highlights a time of remaining and fellowship with the local believers, rather than immediately setting out again.

Paul and Barnabas had just finished a long and challenging trip, sharing the message about Jesus in various cities. After reporting to the church in Antioch about what God had done, they chose to spend an extended time with the disciples there. This pause allowed for encouragement, teaching, and strengthening of the community before any future travels.

The Greek behind Acts 14:28

  • ἔμειναν (G1304, transliterated "emainan"): This word is often understood as "remained" or "stayed continually." The Greek here carries the sense of not just a brief visit, but a settled, ongoing presence.
  • χρόνον (G5550, transliterated "chronon"): This word means "time" and, together with the word for "long," emphasizes that their stay was not short or hurried.
  • μετὰ (G4862, transliterated "meta"): This preposition means "with" and shows that Paul and Barnabas were not isolated but were actively among the disciples, sharing life and faith together.

Why Acts 14:28 matters

  • Acts 14:28 clears up any idea that Paul and Barnabas were always traveling; it shows they valued staying put to build up the local church.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by marking a transition point between missionary journeys, highlighting the importance of rest and community.
  • This moment of remaining with the disciples sets the stage for the important discussions and decisions that follow in Acts 15, showing that time spent with fellow believers was foundational for early church life.

Where else these words appear

“abode” Greek G1304 · used in 10 verses

  • John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
  • Acts 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
  • Acts 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

“long” Greek G3641 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
  • Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
  • 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

“time” Greek G5550 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
  • Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
  • 1 Corinthians 16:7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

“there” Greek G1563 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Mark 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
  • John 6:3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.