Passage Viewer

Antioch, the third-most-important city in the empire after Rome and Alexandria, was a hub of diverse races and cultures, with more than half a million residents. The Hellenists who had fled there arrived and began to testify about Jesus. In Antioch, a sizable Christian community started to form with no previous ties to Judaism. Here, the narrator introduces two familiar figures: Barnabas and Paul. When the Church of Jerusalem, which holds the highest authority and leadership, learns about the new situation in Antioch, it responds by sending Barnabas as its representative and liaison. He then finds Paul to support him in his mission. They stayed there for a whole year, teaching the large group of new converts. The narrator’s enlightened view always sees the Holy Spirit as the true main character in spreading the Gospel, ensuring unity among the missionaries amid diversity. In Antioch, this group of believers was first called “Christians.” The Hebrew word “Messiah,” meaning anointed one, is translated into Greek as ‘Christos’ and into Latin as the adjective “christianos”—Christians, those who belong to Christ.

The martyrdom of James is briefly summarized as a news item. He was the first martyr among the apostles and an important figure in the Gospel accounts. However, the story mainly centers on Peter’s imprisonment and subsequent release, marking the last time in Acts that Peter is the primary focus. Luke ends the story by saying that Peter went to another place. Where? Is the narrator hinting at what was widely known—namely, Peter’s martyrdom in Rome and his final reunion with his Lord?

The account describes the chaos caused by the apostle’s release. The tyrant, disappointed in his plan to execute him, kills the guards as punishment. Although it was some time later, the narrator aims to show the dramatic end of Herod Agrippa as a conclusion to Peter’s release. The contrast is intentional: Peter, imprisoned; Herod, worshiped as a god. The angel of the Lord frees one and fatally wounds the other. His end is clearly shown as divine punishment. 

We enter the third, final, and most extended phase of the book of Acts. In this part, Christian witness will reach the farthest regions known to the missionaries. The Church of Antioch, led by the five leaders listed by Luke, serves as the starting point. Thus, the group of apostles, leaders of the Jewish-Christian community in Jerusalem, and the seven Hellenists are now joined by another group: the five “prophets and teachers of Antioch.” Luke shows how the Spirit guides the different Churches, raising leaders, organizers, and those responsible for various roles based on needs, with significant participation from everyone in decision-making (which Pope Francis aims to restore through synodality in the Church). The Holy Spirit—and the community—decided to set apart two members, Barnabas and Paul, for the mission of proclaiming God’s Word in synagogues. They also took along a man named John, known as Mark. Their first stop was the island of Cyprus, then they set sail for what is now southern Turkey. Although the mission was primarily aimed at Jews in these areas rather than pagans, it marks the beginning of the journey the Spirit will guide them on.

The missionary team reaches Antioch of Pisidia and goes to the synagogue on the Sabbath. They are invited to speak about the readings from the Law and the Prophets. This visit is similar to the one Jesus made to the synagogue in Nazareth, described by Luke in his Gospel (cf. Lk 4:16-30). However, while Jesus was unsuccessful, Paul and Barnabas succeeded. The listeners, including pagans interested in Judaism, invite them to return and speak the next Sabbath. That day, a large crowd gathered to listen, and Luke says the entire population was present. The Jewish leaders, filled with envy, insulted and contradicted the missionaries. What was remarkable, however, was that many pagans understood the missionaries’ message.
In contrast, most of the Jews rejected it. Confronted with this attitude, Paul and Barnabas openly declare that from now on, preaching the Gospel to the pagans will take priority. Luke doesn’t want to end the story on a negative note of expulsion, so he notes that, although the authorities pushed them out, the disciples stayed in the city, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.