Pisidian Antioch
By: Underground Network
Tags: Christianity, Bible

Pisidian Antioch

Acts 13:13–52

Overview

Now we move into the mission among Asia Minor. Barnabas’ homeland was evangelized, so they move closer to Paul’s homeland. Deep into Hellenized territory, we enter the third catalytic movement in the book of Acts (first being Jerusalem, second being Judea and Samaria).

“From Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas struck east to the newly founded colony of Pisiddian Antioch, miles away from any Cypriot’s normal route. Modern scholars have invoked Paul’s wish to reach the uplands of Asia and recover from a passing sickness. . . . We know, however, that the family of the Sergii Pauli had a prominent connection with Pisidian Antioch . . . the Sergii Pauli’s local influence was linked with their ownership of a great estate nearby in central Anatolia: it is an old and apt guess that these connections go back to the time of Paul’s governor. They explain very neatly why Paul and Barnabas left the governor’s presence and headed straight for distant Pisidian Antioch. He directed them to the area where his family had land, power and influence. The author of Acts saw only the impulse of the Holy Spirit, but Christianity entered Roman Asia on advice from the highest society.” (Fox)

There is a possibility that Paul was sick at this point in his journey. Dr. Constable describes this quite well,

“Paul later wrote to the Galatians that he had preached the gospel to them at first because of a weakness of the flesh (Gal. 4:13). This seems to indicate that Paul was not in good health when he ministered in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Many commentators followed the theory of William Ramsay, who argued that Paul suffered from malaria, which he contracted on the lowlands of Perga.” (Constable & Ramsay)

Background

We continue into Paul’s first missionary tour.

image from Glo Bible

Pamphylia — This was a Roman province that lay west of the kingdom of Antiochus, which was west of Cilicia, Paul’s home province. (Constable)

Perga — “Perga” (modern Perge) stood 12 miles inland from the major seaport of Attalia, but it had an inland harbor on the Cestrus River. (Constable)

Perga’s Hellenistic Gate from bibleplaces.org

Pisidian Antioch — Antioch was a well known city. This city was named Antioch of Pisidia to distinguish it from Antioch of Syria, the home of the community who sent Paul and Barnabas on this journey. The trek from Perga to Antioch was a treacherous feat. The journey was 100 miles long and 3600 feet high. This was a major trip (and exponentiated if Paul was in fact sick). This city was a colony founded by Augustus and it was made the administrative center of south Galatia. It is said to be the most important city in that part of the Asia Minor area. It is also notable that it had a particularly large settlement of Jews. “In bringing the gospel to Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas were planting Christianity in the communication nerve center and heart of Asia Minor.” (Unger)

This town was in the Roman province of Galatia and was the chief military and political center in the southern part of the Galatian province. (Ramsay) Luke recorded that the missionaries had contact with seven different types of people here: synagogue officials, Jews, proselytes, God-fearers, devout women of high standing, Gentiles, and leading men of the city. They reached all levels of society. (Constable)