Bible Strands
Acts 16:1
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke narrates Paul's return visit to the churches of the first missionary journey, moving from Derbe to Lystra. This is the hinge between the first and second journeys.
The words — Κατῆντησεν (katēntēsen) is the aorist of κατά + ἔρχομαι, a completed arrival at a destination, not a passing through. It marks Lystra as a fixed point in Paul's itinerary, not a waypoint.
The thread — Timothy's mother's faith is recalled in 2 Timothy 1:5, where Paul names her (Eunice) and her mother (Lois). Timothy then travels with Paul through Acts 17:14 and 18:5, becoming a consistent co-worker.
Why it lands — The verse pins down Timothy's mixed heritage before he does anything, so the reader sees that Paul's inner circle was not ethnically uniform. It asks the reader to hold that fact without making it a problem or a symbol.
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
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.
- Acts 17:14 The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
- Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 4:17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
- 1 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Acts 14:6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,
- Romans 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen.
- Philippians 2:19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.