Acts 14:21

Acts 14:21

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

a. NLT: After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia,

b. NIV: They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

c. YLT: Having proclaimed good news also to that city, and having discipled many, they turned back to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: When they had preached the good news (Gospel) to that town and made disciples of many of the people, they went back to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch,

e. Worrell Translation:And, having proclaimed the glad tidings to that city, and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch;  

f. Wuest Translation: And proclaiming the good news in that city and having made many disciples through their teaching, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch.

1. “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many…”

a. And [Strong: 5037 te teh a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of 2532):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.]

b. when they had preached the gospel  [Strong: 2097 euaggelizo yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo from 2095 and 32; to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel:--declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).]

c. to that [Strong: 1565 ekeinos ek-i'-nos from 1563; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those.]

d. city [Strong: 4172 polis pol'-is probably from the same as 4171, or perhaps from 4183; a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size):--city.]

e. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. had taught [Strong: 3100 matheteuo math-ayt-yoo'-o from 3101; intransitively, to become a pupil; transitively, to disciple, i.e. enrol as scholar:--be disciple, instruct, teach.]

g. many [Strong: 2425 hikanos hik-an-os' from hiko (hikano or hikneomai, akin to 2240) (to arrive); competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character):--able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy.]

1). Although the events of Derbe are described in one verse, many disciples were one to the Lord.

2). The Acts of the Apostles, Robert A. Tourville: Luke only gives a hurried sketch of their labors in Derbe…No mention is made of persecution or outstanding miracles. Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:11 that he had persecution at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. The omission of Derbe is significant…The term “made disciples” emphasizes the carrying out of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). This means literally, to make learners, or students of people.

2. “…they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch.”

a. they returned again [Strong: 5290 hupostrepho hoop-os-tref'-o from 5259 and 4762; to turn under (behind), i.e. to return (literally or figuratively):--come again, return (again, back again), turn back (again).]

b. to [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

c. Lystra [Strong: 3082 Lustra loos'-trah of uncertain origin; Lystra, a place in Asia Minor:--Lystra.]

d. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

e. to [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

f. Iconium [Strong: 2430 Ikonion ee-kon'-ee-on perhaps from 1504; image-like; Iconium, a place in Asia Minor:--Iconium.]

g. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

h. Antioch [Strong: 490 Antiocheia an-tee-okh'-i-ah from Antiochus (a Syrian king); Antiochia, a place in Syria:--Antioch.]

1). The next two verses give very important information about what the missionary team then did. They returned to all the churches and confirmed the believers and prayed elders into all the churches to lead them in the future.

a).  Acts 14:22, 23 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.