Acts 8:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore {G3767}{G3303} they that were scattered abroad {G1289} went every where {G1330} preaching {G2097} the word {G3056}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, those who were scattered announced the Good News of the Word wherever they went.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

American Standard Version

They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 8:4 serves as a powerful testament to the early church's resilience and God's sovereign plan, demonstrating how intense persecution, intended to suppress the nascent Christian movement in Jerusalem, paradoxically became the divine catalyst for the Gospel's widespread dissemination. As believers were scattered from their homes, they did not retreat in fear but boldly embraced their mission, actively proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ wherever they went, thereby fulfilling the Great Commission and initiating the global expansion of the Christian faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a period of escalating persecution against the church in Jerusalem. The preceding chapter, [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Martyrdom"), culminates in the martyrdom of Stephen, a pivotal event that ignites a severe wave of opposition. [Acts 8:1-3](/acts/8-1-3 "Acts 8:1-3 - Saul's Persecution and the Scattering of the Church") explicitly details Saul's (later Paul) ruthless campaign to devastate the church, entering homes and dragging believers—both men and women—to prison. It is this intense pressure and scattering that directly sets the stage for the actions described in [Acts 8:4](/acts/8-4 "Acts 8:4 - The Scattered Preach the Word"), presenting the dispersion not as an end, but as a new beginning for the Gospel's reach.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The persecution described was a significant turning point for the early Jewish-Christian community, which had largely remained centered in Jerusalem. While the apostles initially stayed in Jerusalem ([Acts 8:1](/acts/8-1 "Acts 8:1 - The Apostles Remain in Jerusalem")), the broader body of believers, comprising ordinary men and women, were forced to flee. This dispersion pushed them beyond the familiar confines of Jerusalem into the surrounding regions of Judea and Samaria, and eventually further afield. This geographical expansion was significant because it began to break down the ethnocentric boundaries that might have otherwise limited the Gospel's initial spread, setting the stage for its eventual proclamation to Gentiles, as foreshadowed by [Jesus' commission in Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission").
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 8:4](/acts/8-4 "Acts 8:4 - The Scattered Preach the Word") powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Persecution as a Catalyst for Growth**, demonstrating God's sovereign ability to use adversity to advance His kingdom, turning what was intended for harm into a means of widespread blessing, a theme echoed in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good"). Secondly, it underscores the **Unstoppable Spread of the Gospel**, fulfilling [Christ's prophetic words in Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission") that His witnesses would extend from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Universal Call to Evangelism**, showing that it was not solely the apostles, but "they that were scattered abroad"—ordinary believers—who took up the mantle of proclaiming the "word," thereby affirming that every follower of Christ is commissioned to share their faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scattered abroad (Greek, _diaspeírō'_):** From G1289, meaning "to sow throughout, i.e. (figuratively) distribute in foreign lands." This word choice is highly significant, evoking the imagery of seeds being scattered by the wind. Just as scattered seeds find new ground to take root and grow, so too did the dispersed believers plant the "word" in new territories. It implies an involuntary but ultimately fruitful dispersion, contrasting the persecutors' intent to destroy with God's purpose to propagate.
* **preaching (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** From G2097, meaning "to announce good news ('evangelize') especially the gospel." This is a crucial term, indicating not just casual conversation or teaching, but the intentional, public, and fervent proclamation of the "good news" of salvation through Jesus Christ. It highlights the active, missional posture of the scattered believers, who understood their displacement as an opportunity to share the core message of their faith.
* **the word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, referring to "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse)..." In this context, "the word" refers specifically to the message of the Gospel—the teachings about Jesus, His life, death, resurrection, and the salvation He offers. It is the divine message, the truth of God, which these believers carried and proclaimed, demonstrating its inherent power to transform lives and establish the church in new places.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore":** This conjunction (G3767 _oûn_ and G3303 _mén_) directly links the action of this verse to the preceding events, particularly the intense persecution and scattering detailed in [Acts 8:1-3](/acts/8-1-3 "Acts 8:1-3 - Saul's Persecution and the Scattering of the Church"). It signifies a cause-and-effect relationship, where the adversity faced by the church in Jerusalem directly led to their dispersion and subsequent evangelistic activity.
* **"they that were scattered abroad":** This refers to the ordinary believers who were forced to flee Jerusalem due to Saul's persecution. It emphasizes that the spread of the Gospel was not solely the work of the apostles (who remained in Jerusalem according to [Acts 8:1](/acts/8-1 "Acts 8:1 - The Apostles Remain in Jerusalem")), but of the broader Christian community. This highlights the decentralized and organic nature of early church growth.
* **"went every where":** This phrase (G1330 _diérchomai_) indicates the extensive geographical reach of the scattered believers. They did not merely find refuge but actively moved throughout the regions, suggesting a deliberate and widespread evangelistic effort that transcended previous geographical and cultural boundaries.
* **"preaching the word":** This clause describes the primary activity of the scattered believers. They were not merely surviving or seeking shelter; their core mission, even in displacement, was to proclaim the Gospel. This underscores the intrinsic connection between being a believer and being a witness, demonstrating that the "word" was not just something they believed, but something they actively shared.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 8:4 powerfully employs **Irony**, as what was intended by persecutors to be the destruction of the church—its scattering—becomes the very means of its expansion. The forced dispersion, meant to silence the message, instead propelled it into new territories, demonstrating God's ability to subvert human intentions for His divine purposes. There is also a strong sense of **Fulfillment** or **Progression**, as the verse directly illustrates the initial stages of the Great Commission's unfolding, moving the Gospel beyond Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria, as prophesied by Jesus in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission"). The active verb "preaching" (euangelízō) highlights the **Agency** of the believers, emphasizing their proactive role in spreading the message rather than passively enduring their circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 8:4 is a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty and the inherent, unstoppable nature of the Gospel. It teaches that even in the face of intense opposition and suffering, God orchestrates circumstances to fulfill His redemptive purposes. The persecution, far from being a setback, became the divine impetus for the church's expansion, demonstrating that no human power or adversity can ultimately thwart God's plan for the spread of His "word." This verse also underscores the universal priesthood of believers, showing that evangelism is not solely the domain of a select few, but the inherent calling of every follower of Christ, who, by virtue of their faith, become agents of God's mission wherever they are.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good") - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
* [Philippians 1:12](/philippians/1-12 "Philippians 1:12 - Paul's Imprisonment Advances the Gospel") - "Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel."
* [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission") - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 8:4 offers a timeless and challenging reflection for believers today, reminding us that our circumstances, no matter how difficult or disruptive, can be transformed into opportunities for God's kingdom. The early Christians, displaced and under duress, did not lament their losses but embraced their new locations as mission fields, demonstrating a profound trust in God's overarching plan. This challenges us to consider our own spheres of influence—our homes, workplaces, communities, and even our personal trials—as potential platforms for sharing the Gospel. It calls us to move beyond a passive faith to an active, missional posture, recognizing that every believer is an ambassador for Christ, entrusted with the "word." Our resilience in adversity, our willingness to speak truth in challenging environments, and our commitment to making Christ known are direct echoes of the faithful witness displayed in this pivotal verse.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I tend to respond when faced with unexpected disruptions or difficulties in my life? Do I see them as obstacles or potential opportunities for God's work?**
* **In what ways can I, as an "ordinary believer," actively participate in "preaching the word" in my current sphere of influence, even if it feels small or insignificant?**
* **What specific "word" (message of the Gospel) am I prepared to share with those around me, and how can I better equip myself to do so?**

### FAQ

**Who were "they that were scattered abroad"?**

Answer: "They that were scattered abroad" refers to the ordinary believers in the early Christian church in Jerusalem, not the apostles. [Acts 8:1](/acts/8-1 "Acts 8:1 - The Apostles Remain in Jerusalem") explicitly states that "the apostles were left in Jerusalem." This indicates that the widespread evangelistic activity following the persecution was carried out by the general body of disciples—men and women who, though not formally designated as apostles, were nonetheless committed followers of Christ and felt compelled to share their faith wherever they were dispersed. This highlights the decentralized nature of early Christian mission and the universal call to witness for all believers.

**What does "preaching the word" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "preaching the word" (Greek: _euangelízō_ G2097, "to evangelize" or "announce good news"; and _lógos_ G3056, "the word" or "message") means actively proclaiming the Gospel message about Jesus Christ. It was not merely teaching or discussing, but a fervent, intentional declaration of the good news of salvation, His life, death, and resurrection. This was the core message of the early church, and it was shared with urgency and conviction by the scattered believers, demonstrating their commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission even amidst persecution. The "word" was the divine message of God's redemptive plan through His Son.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 8:4, while describing the actions of early believers, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ. The "word" (Greek: _lógos_) that they preached is not merely a set of doctrines but is, in its fullest sense, the Living Word, Jesus Christ Himself, as profoundly articulated in [John 1:1-14](/john/1-1-14 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh"). The scattering of the believers, though a result of persecution, mirrors the paradoxical nature of Christ's own mission: His suffering and death, which appeared to be a defeat, were in fact the means by which salvation was "scattered abroad" to all humanity ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). Just as Christ's ultimate act of self-giving on the cross became the foundation for the universal spread of God's grace, so too did the suffering of His followers lead to the expansion of His kingdom. The "preaching the word" is thus the ongoing proclamation of Christ's finished work, inviting all to partake in the new life He offers, fulfilling His command to be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). The very resilience and missional zeal of the scattered church are a testament to the indwelling Spirit of Christ, empowering them to continue His redemptive work in the world ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")).

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

Matthew 10:23

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

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.

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.

1 Thessalonians 2:2

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

Acts 15:35

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 14:2

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Acts 14:7

And there they preached the gospel.