Acts 14:25

KJV

And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they had preached {G2980} the word {G3056} in {G1722} Perga {G4011}, they went down {G2597} into {G1519} Attalia {G825}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After speaking the message in Perga, they came down to Attalia; and from there, they sailed back to Antioch,

Berean Standard Bible

And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

American Standard Version

And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 14:25 succinctly chronicles a significant moment in the conclusion of Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey, detailing their final evangelistic stop in Perga, where they proclaimed the Gospel, before descending to the coastal city of Attalia, from which they would embark on their return voyage to Antioch. This verse marks the strategic completion of a major phase of their apostolic labor, emphasizing their persistent commitment to spreading the divine message even as their arduous travels drew to a close.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 14:25 is situated at the very end of the account of Paul and Barnabas's groundbreaking first missionary journey, which began in [Acts 13:1](/acts/13-1 "Acts 13:1 - Paul and Barnabas Sent Out"). Following their extensive work establishing churches and strengthening new believers in the cities of Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe (as recounted in [Acts 14:1-23](/acts/14-1-23 "Acts 14:1-23 - Ministry in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe")), the apostles began their strategic return journey. Instead of a direct route back to their sending church in Syrian Antioch, they purposefully retraced their steps, revisiting the nascent congregations to "[strengthen the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith](/acts/14-22 "Acts 14:22 - Strengthening the Disciples")". Perga, a city in the region of Pamphylia, was a place they had previously passed through without preaching on their outward journey ([Acts 13:13](/acts/13-13 "Acts 13:13 - Arrival in Perga")), but now, in a demonstration of thoroughness and commitment, they stopped to proclaim the word. This verse sets the stage for their imminent departure from Attalia and their subsequent report to the church in Antioch, which is detailed in [Acts 14:26-28](/acts/14-26-28 "Acts 14:26-28 - Return to Antioch and Report").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Perga was an important city in the Roman province of Pamphylia, located a few miles inland from the Mediterranean coast. It was known for its temple dedicated to Artemis (the Roman Diana), a significant pagan cult center. The apostles' decision to preach there on their return journey, having previously bypassed it, suggests a strategic re-evaluation or perhaps a new opportunity. Attalia, on the other hand, was a bustling port city on the Mediterranean coast, founded by Attalus II Philadelphus, king of Pergamum, in the 2nd century BCE. It served as a vital maritime hub, connecting inland regions to the broader Mediterranean world. For missionaries like Paul and Barnabas, port cities were indispensable for travel, providing access to sea routes for long-distance journeys. Their descent from inland Perga to coastal Attalia reflects the typical travel patterns of the time, utilizing established Roman roads to reach a major port for their sea voyage back to Antioch. This choice underscores the practical logistical considerations inherent in their spiritual mission.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 14:25 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and the broader New Testament narrative. Firstly, it exemplifies **Persistent Evangelism**, demonstrating Paul and Barnabas's unwavering commitment to proclaiming the Gospel ("preached the word") even at the culmination of a lengthy and challenging missionary endeavor. Their stop in Perga, a city previously passed over, highlights the principle of seizing every opportunity for evangelism. Secondly, the verse illustrates **Strategic Planning in Ministry**. Their deliberate route, revisiting cities to strengthen new believers ([Acts 14:22](/acts/14-22 "Acts 14:22 - Exhortation to Continue in the Faith")) and then utilizing a major port like Attalia for their return, reveals a thoughtful and organized approach to missionary work, balancing spiritual fervor with practical logistics. Finally, this verse signifies the **Completion of a Phase** in the early church's expansion. It marks the successful conclusion of the first major Gentile outreach, paving the way for the apostles to report back to their sending church and for the church to reflect on the burgeoning mission to the Gentiles, a theme central to [Acts 15](/acts/15 "Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **preached (Greek, _laléō'_):** This word, G2980, means "to talk, i.e., utter words." While it can refer to general speech, in the context of missionary activity, it signifies the public proclamation of a message. Here, it emphasizes the verbal communication of the Gospel, highlighting the active and vocal nature of Paul and Barnabas's ministry. It implies a direct, audible declaration of the "word."
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** G3056, _lógos_, is a rich term meaning "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive." In the New Testament, especially when used with the definite article ("the word"), it frequently refers to the divine message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its use here signifies that Paul and Barnabas were not merely engaging in casual conversation but were authoritatively proclaiming God's revealed truth, the core message of salvation.
* **went down (Greek, _katabaínō'_):** G2597, _katabaínō_, means "to descend (literally or figuratively)." In this geographical context, it literally describes their movement from the inland city of Perga, which would have been at a higher elevation, down to the coastal city of Attalia. This seemingly simple geographical detail underscores the physical journey and the practical logistics involved in their mission, moving from an interior preaching location to a port for sea travel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they had preached the word in Perga,"**: This clause indicates that Paul and Barnabas, upon their return journey, made a deliberate stop in Perga. Unlike their initial passage through the city (Acts 13:13), where they did not preach, this time they engaged in active evangelism. The phrase "preached the word" signifies their primary mission: to publicly proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. This highlights their commitment to ensuring that every significant location had the opportunity to hear the good news, even if it was a revisited area or a final stop before departure.
* **"they went down into Attalia:"**: Following their ministry in Perga, Paul and Barnabas proceeded to Attalia. The verb "went down" (katabaínō) accurately describes the geographical descent from the inland city of Perga to the coastal port of Attalia. This movement was strategic, as Attalia served as a crucial port from which they could secure passage by sea back to their home base in Antioch of Syria, thus concluding this extensive missionary journey. This clause marks the final terrestrial leg of their journey before their sea voyage home.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 14:25 employs several literary devices, primarily **Conciseness** and **Geographical Detail**, to efficiently convey significant information. The verse is remarkably brief, yet it encapsulates a completed evangelistic act and a strategic logistical movement, demonstrating Luke's skill in narrative compression. The mention of specific place names, **Perga** and **Attalia**, serves as **Geographical Markers**, grounding the narrative in real-world locations and lending historical verisimilitude to the account. This precise naming also highlights the intentionality of the apostles' itinerary, showing a deliberate progression towards their return destination. Furthermore, the phrase "preached the word" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "the word" stands for the entire Gospel message and the act of evangelism, succinctly summarizing their core activity without needing to detail the content of their sermons.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 14:25, though brief, powerfully encapsulates the essence of the early Christian mission: the unceasing proclamation of the Gospel and the strategic, Spirit-led movement of God's messengers. It underscores the divine imperative to make the "word" known in every accessible place, demonstrating that the mission is not merely about initial outreach but also about thoroughness and follow-through. The apostles' journey, culminating in a final preaching stop before returning home, reflects a holistic understanding of evangelism that embraces both the sowing of the seed and the strategic planning required for the ongoing expansion of God's kingdom. This verse serves as a reminder that every step of the missionary journey, from the initial call to the final return, is under God's sovereign hand, fulfilling His purposes for the spread of the Good News.

* [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")
* [Romans 10:14-15](/romans/10-14-15 "Romans 10:14-15 - The Necessity of Preaching")
* [Luke 24:46-48](/luke/24-46-48 "Luke 24:46-48 - The Gospel Proclaimed to All Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 14:25, though a simple travel note, offers profound principles for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider our own commitment to the ongoing mission of God. Just as Paul and Barnabas "preached the word" even at the very end of an arduous journey, we are called to be persistent in sharing the Gospel in our daily lives, seizing every opportunity, whether in familiar or new contexts. This verse reminds us that ministry is not confined to specific events or locations but is an integrated part of our journey, requiring both spiritual fervor and practical wisdom. Our "going down into Attalia" moments, whether they are transitions in life, the completion of projects, or simply the end of a long day, can still be opportunities for God's purposes to be fulfilled through our faithfulness. It encourages us to view every step, every interaction, and every transition as part of God's larger plan for the advancement of His kingdom, trusting that even the most mundane details of our lives can be used for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the example of Paul and Barnabas's persistent evangelism in Perga, even at the end of their journey, challenge my own commitment to sharing the Gospel in all circumstances?**
* **In what ways can I be more strategic and intentional in my personal ministry or involvement in my church's mission, considering both the spiritual calling and the practical logistics, much like their journey to Attalia?**
* **How does recognizing God's orchestration in seemingly ordinary travel details (like going from Perga to Attalia) encourage me to seek His purpose in my daily routines, transitions, and the "final legs" of my own endeavors?**

### FAQ
**Why did Paul and Barnabas preach in Perga on their return journey, when they seemed to have bypassed it on their way out?**

Answer: The biblical text in [Acts 13:13](/acts/13-13 "Acts 13:13 - Arrival in Perga") states that when they first arrived in Perga, John Mark left them, and they "departed from Perga." It does not explicitly state they preached there. Scholars suggest several reasons for this initial bypass: perhaps the city was unhealthy due to malaria, or they were in a hurry to reach Antioch in Pisidia, a more strategic center for their initial outreach. Their decision to preach in Perga on the return journey ([Acts 14:25](/acts/14-25 "Acts 14:25 - Preaching in Perga")) indicates a deliberate change in strategy. It could be that they now had more time, felt a specific leading from the Holy Spirit, or recognized an open door for the Gospel that was not apparent before. This demonstrates their flexibility and commitment to proclaiming the word wherever opportunity arose, even revisiting previously untouched areas.

**What was the significance of Attalia for Paul and Barnabas's journey?**

Answer: Attalia was a crucial port city on the Mediterranean coast in the region of Pamphylia. Its significance for Paul and Barnabas was primarily logistical. After completing their evangelistic work in the inland cities, including their final stop in Perga, they needed a major port from which to secure passage by sea back to their home church in Antioch of Syria ([Acts 14:26](/acts/14-26 "Acts 14:26 - Sailing to Antioch")). Attalia served as this vital maritime connection, allowing them to conclude their extensive first missionary journey efficiently and safely, preparing them to report on the "door of faith" God had opened to the Gentiles ([Acts 14:27](/acts/14-27 "Acts 14:27 - Reporting to the Church")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 14:25, though a seemingly simple travelogue entry, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing mission of the Church to proclaim the "word" which is ultimately Jesus Christ Himself. Paul and Barnabas "preached the word," and this "word" is not merely a set of doctrines but the living person of Jesus, the [Logos who was with God and was God](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), and who [became flesh and dwelt among us](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Their journey, marked by both strategic planning and Spirit-led obedience, mirrors Christ's own mission to seek and save the lost, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice and resurrection. The very act of "preaching the word" is a continuation of Christ's commission to His disciples to be His witnesses "to the uttermost part of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")). Every place where the Gospel is proclaimed, from Perga to the ends of the earth, is a testament to the ongoing work of the ascended Christ through His body, the Church, ensuring that repentance and forgiveness of sins are [proclaimed in His name to all nations](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Repentance and Forgiveness Proclaimed"). Thus, this verse subtly points to the enduring power and reach of Christ's redemptive work, extended through the faithful obedience of His followers.

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.