Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

ACTS 8:4KJV
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Acts 8:4 (KJV)

What does Acts 8:4 mean?

Acts 8:4 describes how, after being scattered by persecution, followers of Jesus traveled to different places and shared the message about him wherever they went. The verse highlights that the spreading of believers led to the spreading of the Christian message far beyond Jerusalem.

This verse appears in the book of Acts, which tells the story of the early church. The context is that many believers had to leave Jerusalem because of threats and violence against them. Instead of stopping their mission, these scattered believers continued to talk about Jesus and his teachings in every new place they arrived, helping the message reach new people and regions.

The Greek behind Acts 8:4

  • "Preaching" (εὐαγγελιζόμενοι, euangelizomenoi): This Greek word means "bringing good news" or "proclaiming the gospel." It suggests that the believers were not just talking about ideas, but actively sharing a message of hope and good news about Jesus.
  • "Word" (λόγον, logon): In this context, "word" refers to the message about Jesus—the core teachings and story of his life, death, and resurrection. It is not just any word, but specifically the message the early Christians believed was important to share.

Why Acts 8:4 matters

  • Acts 8:4 shows that persecution did not silence the early Christians; instead, it actually helped spread their message farther than it might have gone otherwise.
  • The verse clarifies that ordinary believers, not just apostles or leaders, played a key role in sharing the message about Jesus as they traveled.
  • This verse connects to the wider story in Acts, where the message of Jesus moves from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond, fulfilling the pattern Jesus described in Acts 1:8.

Where else these words appear

“abroad” Greek G1289 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
  • 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.

“where” Greek G1330 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
  • Luke 19:4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
  • Acts 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

“preaching” Greek G2097 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Acts 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?