Bible Strands
Acts 8:4
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator describes the immediate aftermath of the great persecution that broke out against the Jerusalem church following Stephen's death. The passage records the believers' forced dispersal and their subsequent movement into new regions.
The words — διασπαρέντες (diasparentes) means "having been scattered," describing the believers' involuntary displacement. εὐαγγελιζόμενοι (euangelizomenoi) translates as "evangelising" or "preaching the good news," which they did alongside τὸν λόγον (ton logon), "the word."
The thread — This dynamic of persecution-driven dispersal and preaching appears in Acts 8:1 and Acts 11:19, where the scattered group reaches Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. It fulfills the pattern of fleeing persecution while continuing to proclaim the message outlined in Matthew 10:23.
Why it lands — The text states that those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went, directly linking forced displacement to expanded proclamation. It requires a reader to acknowledge that institutional violence does not contain the message but redirects its delivery.
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
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Cross-references
- Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
- Acts 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
- Acts 11:19 Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.
- Acts 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
- Acts 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.