Acts 14:21-28 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Close of the First Tour. The places already visited are now taken in the reverse order, but no further information is given about them.

Acts 14:23. An appointment of elders is made (cf. Titus 1:5) in each church; the institution takes place in each case with prayer and fasting. The word translated appointed (AV ordained) denotes strictly a popular election by voting (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:19; Didaché, xv. 1), though it may also be used of cases where there is no popular vote. The elder is in Titus also called bishop: he is a local functionary, with no duties except to his own church. In Acts 11:30 the elders at Jerusalem are those presiding over the church there.

Acts 14:24. The journey is retraced but Cyprus is not visited again: from Attalia, the port of Perga, they sail to Antioch or rather to Seleucia, its port.

Acts 14:27. The importance of the journey is that it proves that the gate of faith is opened by God to the Gentiles.

Related Commentaries of Acts 14:21

Acts 14:21-28

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

22 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.

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.

24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.