Acts 13:44

KJV

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the next {G2064} sabbath day {G4521} came {G4863} almost {G4975} the whole {G3956} city {G4172} together {G4863} to hear {G191} the word {G3056} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The next Shabbat, nearly the whole city gathered together to hear the message about the Lord;

Berean Standard Bible

On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

American Standard Version

And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 13:44 vividly portrays the overwhelming public interest in the Gospel message preached by Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch. Following Paul's impactful sermon on the previous Sabbath, an extraordinary number of residents, described as "almost the whole city," eagerly converged on the synagogue to hear more of the divine word, demonstrating a profound spiritual hunger and setting the stage for the wider proclamation of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic moment immediately following Paul's inaugural recorded sermon in Pisidian Antioch's synagogue, as detailed in [Acts 13:16-41](/acts/13-16-41 "Paul's Sermon in Pisidian Antioch"). After this powerful proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah, many Jews and devout Gentile proselytes were deeply moved and followed Paul and Barnabas, who encouraged them to continue in God's grace. The Gentiles, in particular, were so eager to hear more that they specifically requested the message be preached again on the following Sabbath ([Acts 13:42](/acts/13-42 "Gentiles Request More Teaching")). The massive turnout described in [Acts 13:44](/acts/13-44 "Acts 13:44 - The City Gathers") is the direct and astonishing result of this initial positive reception and the apostles' compelling presentation of the Good News. It sets the stage for the subsequent Jewish opposition and the pivotal decision to turn to the Gentiles ([Acts 13:45-47](/acts/13-45-47 "Jewish Opposition and Turning to the Gentiles")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Pisidian Antioch was a significant Roman colony in the province of Galatia, strategically located on a major trade route. As a Roman colony, it enjoyed certain privileges and attracted a diverse population, including a substantial Jewish community and many Gentile "God-fearers" who were attracted to monotheism and Jewish ethical teachings. Synagogues in the Diaspora, like the one in Antioch, often served as centers not only for Jewish worship but also for community gatherings and intellectual discourse, making them natural venues for the initial proclamation of the Gospel. The Sabbath was the designated day of rest and worship, making it the customary time for such large assemblies. The Roman peace (Pax Romana) and the established network of roads facilitated travel and the rapid spread of new ideas, including the Christian message.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **the inherent drawing power of God's Word**, demonstrating that when faithfully proclaimed, the Gospel resonates deeply with humanity, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. Secondly, it underscores the **widespread interest in the Gospel among Gentiles**, foreshadowing the universal scope of the Christian mission. The phrase "almost the whole city" signifies an extraordinary level of public curiosity and spiritual hunger, extending beyond the typical synagogue attendees to include a diverse population, fulfilling the prophetic vision of God's salvation reaching "to the ends of the earth" as quoted by Paul in [Acts 13:47](/acts/13-47 "Paul Quotes Isaiah 49:6"). Finally, it reveals the **divine initiative in evangelism**, showing that God prepares hearts to receive His message, as seen in the eagerness of the crowd to hear the "word of God" again. This aligns with the Spirit's guidance throughout the apostolic missions, ensuring that the message finds fertile ground, even amidst opposition, as seen later in [Acts 13:48](/acts/13-48 "Gentiles Rejoice and Believe").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sabbath day (Greek, _sábbaton'_):** From Hebrew origin (שַׁבָּת), referring to the Sabbath, the day of weekly repose from secular avocations. In this context, it signifies not just a day of rest, but the established time for religious assembly and teaching in the synagogue. The fact that the city gathered on "the next sabbath day" emphasizes the immediate and sustained interest in Paul's message, indicating a deliberate and anticipated gathering rather than a spontaneous event.
* **came together (Greek, _synágō'_):** Derived from _sún_ (with) and _ágō_ (to lead), meaning "to lead together," "collect," or "convene." This word precisely describes the deliberate assembly of the people. It implies an organized, purposeful gathering, underscoring the collective intent of the city's inhabitants to hear the word of God. It highlights the community's active participation and eagerness to engage with the message.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From _légō_ (to speak), referring to "something said," "discourse," or "message." In this context, "the word of God" specifically refers to the Gospel message preached by Paul and Barnabas—the good news about Jesus Christ, His life, death, and resurrection, and the salvation offered through Him. This term emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message they were proclaiming, which was not merely human opinion but God's revealed truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the next sabbath day":** This phrase establishes the precise timing of the event, indicating a week after Paul's initial sermon. The immediate return of such a large crowd on the very next designated day of assembly highlights the profound impact of the previous week's preaching and the anticipation it generated. It signifies a sustained interest rather than a fleeting curiosity.
* **"came almost the whole city together":** This is a powerful statement describing the scale of the gathering. The phrase "almost the whole city" is a hyperbolic expression, signifying an extraordinarily large and diverse crowd, far beyond the typical synagogue attendance. It emphasizes the widespread appeal of the message and the remarkable drawing power of the apostles' ministry, indicating that people from various backgrounds and social strata were present.
* **"to hear the word of God":** This clause reveals the primary purpose of the gathering. The people were not merely curious spectators but had assembled with the specific intent of listening to and receiving the divine message. This underscores the spiritual hunger present in Pisidian Antioch and the inherent power of God's word to attract and engage a multitude.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in [Acts 13:44](/acts/13-44 "Acts 13:44 - The City Gathers") to emphasize the significance of the event. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, seen in the phrase "almost the whole city." This is not meant to be taken literally as a census count, but rather to powerfully convey the overwhelming and unprecedented scale of the gathering, underscoring the widespread impact and appeal of the Gospel. This exaggeration serves to highlight the divine power at work through the apostles' preaching. Additionally, there is a strong sense of **Anticipation** in the narrative, as the verse immediately follows the Gentiles' request to hear the message again, building narrative tension towards this remarkable turnout. The focus on "the word of God" also employs **Metonymy**, where "word" stands for the entire Gospel message and its divine authority, emphasizing the content's transformative power rather than just the act of speaking.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 13:44 powerfully illustrates the inherent drawing power of the Gospel when faithfully proclaimed. It underscores that God's truth possesses an intrinsic appeal that transcends cultural, social, and religious barriers, reaching into the hearts of diverse populations. This widespread response in Pisidian Antioch foreshadows the broader Gentile mission that will increasingly define the apostolic age, demonstrating God's universal redemptive plan. The eagerness of "almost the whole city" to hear "the word of God" highlights humanity's deep-seated spiritual hunger and the divine initiative in preparing hearts to receive His message. This event serves as a testament to the Holy Spirit's work in evangelism, opening doors and drawing people to the truth, even before explicit invitations are extended.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Luke 8:11](/luke/8-11 "Luke 8:11 - The Seed is the Word of God")
* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 13:44 serves as a profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us of the enduring power and appeal of the Gospel. It challenges us to faithfully and boldly proclaim "the word of God," trusting that it possesses an inherent ability to draw people from all walks of life. The overwhelming response in Antioch underscores that there is a deep spiritual hunger in the world, and when the truth of Jesus Christ is presented clearly, passionately, and consistently, people will respond. This passage calls us to be ready to share our faith, to be diligent in our witness, and to recognize that the harvest is plentiful. It also highlights the importance of consistency in ministry, as Paul and Barnabas preached again on the very next Sabbath, demonstrating their commitment to nurturing the budding faith and continuing the work of discipleship. We are reminded that the effectiveness of our evangelism ultimately rests not on our eloquence, but on the power of the Spirit working through God's living and active Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the eagerness of "almost the whole city" to hear the word of God reveal about the spiritual state of humanity, then and now?**
* **How does this verse encourage you in your own efforts to share the Gospel, especially when faced with perceived indifference or opposition?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, create opportunities for "almost the whole city" to hear the word of God in our contemporary context?**

### FAQ
**Was it truly "almost the whole city" that gathered, or is this an exaggeration?**

Answer: The phrase "almost the whole city" (Greek: _schedon pasa he polis_) is best understood as a **hyperbole**, a rhetorical exaggeration used to emphasize the extraordinary and unprecedented scale of the gathering, rather than a literal census count. While it's unlikely every single inhabitant of Pisidian Antioch was present, the expression powerfully conveys that a remarkably significant and diverse portion of the population, including many non-Jews, was drawn by the message. This highlights the widespread appeal of the Good News and the profound impact of Paul and Barnabas's preaching, setting the stage for the dramatic turning to the Gentiles later in [Acts 13:46](/acts/13-46 "Paul and Barnabas Turn to the Gentiles"). It underscores the divine power at work, drawing multitudes to hear God's word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 13:44, with its depiction of "almost the whole city" gathering to hear the word of God, profoundly foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel's reach, a mission rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "Jesus Draws All People to Himself")). The massive turnout in Antioch is a tangible demonstration of this drawing power, not merely to hear a message, but to encounter the living Word of God, Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God's truth ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). The apostles' preaching was not simply about a historical figure, but about the resurrected Lord who offers salvation to all who believe, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham that "in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "The Abrahamic Covenant")). This widespread hunger for "the word of God" ultimately points to a hunger for Christ, who is the bread of life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the source of living water ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "Jesus Offers Living Water")). The gathering in Antioch, therefore, is an early, powerful glimpse of the global harvest that Christ's redemptive work would inaugurate, extending salvation to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Multitude from Every Nation Worships God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 60:8

Who [are] these [that] fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?

Psalms 110:3

Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Genesis 49:10

The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].

Isaiah 11:10

¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.