Bible Strands
Acts 14:28
And they spent a long time there with the disciples.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul and Barnabas return to the Antioch church after reporting God’s work to the gathered believers. They then remain with the disciples following their journey.
The words — The Greek verb διέτριβον (dietribon) literally means “they were remaining” or “they were spending time,” paired with οὐκ ὀλίγον χρόνον (ouk oligon chronon) to indicate “no little time.” This phrasing emphasizes prolonged, intentional residence rather than a brief visit.
The thread — This pattern of extended ministry residence appears in Acts 11:26, where Paul and Barnabas meet with the church for a full year, and Acts 15:35, where they remain at Antioch to teach and preach. The motif underscores sustained pastoral commitment over itinerant activity.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that spiritual fruitfulness depends on prolonged presence among believers rather than short-term visits. It calls for commitment to steady teaching and fellowship in local communities.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Cross-references
- Acts 11:26 and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
- Acts 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.