Syria · City
Antioch
Also called Antioch of Syria, Syrian Antioch, and Antioch on the Orontes
- Ancient name
- Antioch
- Modern location
- Antakya · Turkey
- Region
- Syria
- Location
- Identified site
Editorial summary
A great city of Roman Syria, where the disciples were first called Christians. Barnabas and Saul were set apart here for their first journey, and Paul returned here between journeys.
What happened here
10The word reaches Antioch
Believers scattered by the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word only to Jews. But some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who came to Antioch also spoke to the Hellenists about the Lord Jesus, and a great number believed.
Acts does not name the towns in Phoenicia or on Cyprus where the word was spoken.
First called Christians at Antioch
The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch, and he exhorted the believers to remain near to the Lord. He then went to Tarsus to look for Saul and brought him to Antioch, where for a whole year they taught many people. At Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Agabus foretells a famine
Prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them, Agabus, foretold by the Spirit a great famine over all the world, which came in the days of Claudius. The disciples, each as he had plenty, sent relief for the brothers in Judea to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
The prophecy and the decision to send relief took place at Antioch; Acts says the relief went to the elders, for the brothers in Judea, without naming a town.
Barnabas and Saul are sent out
As the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart. After fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them away.
Reporting to the church
Back in Antioch they gathered the church and told how God had opened a door of faith to the nations. They stayed there a long time.
Dispute over circumcision at Antioch
Men who came down from Judea taught the brothers that they could not be saved unless they were circumcised after the custom of Moses. After much dispute, Paul, Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about the question.
Acts 15:1 does not name the city; Paul and Barnabas had been staying at Antioch (Acts 14:26–28), and the council’s reply was sent there (Acts 15:22–23).
The letter delivered at Antioch
At Antioch the messengers gathered the believers and delivered the letter, and they rejoiced at its encouragement. Judas and Silas, who were prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers and after some time were sent back in peace, while Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas part ways
Paul proposed revisiting every city where they had preached. A sharp disagreement over taking John Mark led Barnabas to sail to Cyprus with Mark, while Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia.
Back to Antioch
Paul went down to Antioch and spent some time there before setting out again.
Setting out again
Paul left Antioch and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
People here
9On these journeys
Scripture
Nearby in the atlas
Location certainty
Scholarly consensus identifies this site.
- Coordinates
- 36.2267° N, 36.1717° E