What is the meaning of Acts 14:21? They preached the gospel to that city Paul and Barnabas had just left a swirl of persecution behind in Lystra and Iconium, yet when they arrived in Derbe they did the very thing the risen Lord commands: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Their message in Derbe would have echoed Peter’s earlier proclamation—“Christ died for our sins … He was buried … He was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Notice three markers of their ministry: • Bold proclamation—They did not dilute the message despite recent stoning (Acts 14:19); courage rests in the Spirit, not circumstance (Acts 4:31). • Clear focus—The same good news announced in Acts 13:32 is now delivered in a fresh city. Luke highlights continuity with Jesus’ promise that “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). • Localized engagement—They preached “to that city,” meeting real people in a real place. Acts repeatedly shows the gospel entering specific contexts (Acts 8:4–8, 10:34–48), reminding us that evangelism is never abstract. and made many disciples Luke does not say they collected decisions; he says “disciples.” This fulfills Christ’s commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20). A disciple is a life-learner who abides in Jesus’ word (John 8:31). Evidence of genuine disciple-making appears here: • Multiplication—Not a few but “many.” Just as believers were first called disciples in Antioch (Acts 11:26), Derbe now becomes another training ground for followers, showing the gospel’s power to multiply even after hardship. • Ongoing teaching—Paul later writes, “The things you have heard from me … entrust to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). The pattern begins in Derbe: truth is passed, not merely professed. • Visible fruit—Discipleship implies transformed behavior (John 15:8). Though Luke doesn’t list every change, the simple report that “many” were formed points to Spirit-borne growth (Acts 2:41–42). Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch Instead of pressing on to unreached territory, the missionaries backtracked through places that had just tried to crush them. Their return reveals shepherd hearts and a biblical strategy of strengthening: • Confirming the saints—In the very next verse they are “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith” (Acts 14:22). Believers need reinforcement after initial conversion, a theme echoed when Paul later says, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every city” (Acts 15:36). • Preparing for tribulation—They teach, “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). This realistic encouragement mirrors Jesus’ own warning in John 16:33. • Appointing leadership—Acts 14:23 notes the installation of elders. Healthy churches require structure (Titus 1:5) and ongoing care (1 Thessalonians 3:2). • Costly love—Returning to hostile towns underscores Paul’s conviction that “I do not consider my life of any value to myself” if only he can finish his course (Acts 20:24). Courage and pastoral concern walk together. summary Acts 14:21 captures a full-orbed cycle of gospel ministry. Paul and Barnabas evangelize boldly, disciple deeply, and shepherd faithfully—even at personal risk. The verse calls modern believers to the same pattern: announce the saving work of Christ, invest in growing disciples, and nurture young churches until they stand firm in faith. |