Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
Parallel translations
- WEB After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
- KJV And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.
- BSB Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
- NASB After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”
- NLT After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul proposed revisiting the cities where they had preached to see how the believers were doing. Pastoral care for established churches prompted a new journey.
Overview
Paul's desire to strengthen existing converts reflects his ongoing concern for the churches' wellbeing, not just new evangelism. This proposal launches the second missionary journey. It models the importance of follow-up and nurturing those already won to Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Acts 14:6they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.
- Acts 13:4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.
- Acts 13:51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
- Acts 13:13–14Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
- Acts 14:24–25They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.
- 2 Cor 11:28Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.
- Rom 1:11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;
- Acts 14:1In Iconium, they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
- 1 Th 3:10–11night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
- Exod 4:18Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brothers who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.” Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”
- Acts 7:23But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
- Jer 23:2Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who feed my people: “You have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings,” says Yahweh.
- 1 Th 2:17–18But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
- 1 Th 3:6But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;
- Matt 25:36I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’
- 2 Tim 1:4longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- Acts 14:21When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
- Matt 25:43I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
- Phil 1:27Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 15:36 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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