Acts 14:25
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
Acts 14:25 (KJV)
Context
Acts 14:25 records a brief but significant moment in Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey. After being driven out of Iconium, they ministered in Lystra, where Paul healed a crippled man. Jews from Antioch and Iconium then stirred up the crowd, and Paul was stoned and left for dead. He recovered, and the next day they went on to Derbe. From there, the journey continued through Perga and then to Attalia, the seaport from which they would sail back to Antioch of Syria, the city that had sent them out.
Perga was an ancient city in Pamphylia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. Paul and Barnabas had first entered Perga earlier in the journey, after arriving from Paphos (Acts 13:13). The Scripture records no miracles or detailed ministry there, which suggests that their primary activity was simply proclaiming the Word. Attalia, also called Adalia, was a seaport southwest of Perga and served as a vital hub for travel and commerce in Pamphylia. It marked the final stop of their circuit before returning to the sending church.
Meaning
The verse opens with the phrase, “And when they had preached the word in Perga,” which underscores the central focus of their mission: faithful proclamation of the Gospel. The wording in some manuscripts is rendered as “spoken the word of the Lord,” emphasizing that their message was the divine word, not their own invention. Throughout their travels, they consistently shared the life, death, resurrection, and hope found in Jesus Christ, highlighting the importance of spreading the Good News to every listening heart.
The movement “went down” reflects the geographical descent from Perga to the coastal city of Attalia. This brief transition shows the missionaries’ faithful continuation of their task even in transit, moving from one preaching location to the next. Although the verse gives no particulars about their work in Attalia, it demonstrates their determination to carry the Gospel onward and sets the stage for their return to the believers who had commissioned them.
Biblical connections
The immediate context includes their earlier ministry in Derbe and their return through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, where they strengthened the disciples and exhorted them to continue in the faith (Acts 14:21-23). Acts 13:13 provides the earlier connection to Perga, noting that Paul and his companions came there from Paphos. The following verse, Acts 14:26, records that from Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they reported all that God had done and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Application
Their example reminds believers of the necessity of faithful proclamation. Paul and Barnabas acted as witnesses and ambassadors for Christ, sharing His message of love and salvation. This calls each of us to be diligent in declaring the Gospel in our own contexts, whether in familiar places or during ordinary transitions.
Facing severe opposition, including being stoned, they did not abandon their mission. Their perseverance teaches that believers must press on despite obstacles, trusting that God empowers us to overcome difficulties. The journey also reflects strategic movement. Paul and Barnabas intentionally selected cities where they could effectively spread the Gospel and plant churches. Likewise, we should seek God’s guidance to discern the most appropriate places and methods for sharing His message, considering the needs and opportunities around us.
Reflection
This verse is part of a larger narrative of God’s work through ordinary obedience. The brief mention of Perga and Attalia reminds us that much of faithful ministry happens in unremarkable places and moments. Studying the entire chapter and the verses that follow provides a fuller picture of Paul and Barnabas’s journey and the lasting impact of their ministry, encouraging us to remain faithful in the tasks God places before us, even when they seem small or transitional.
