490. Antiocheia
Lexical Summary
Antiocheia: Antioch

Original Word: Ἀντιόχεια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Antiocheia
Pronunciation: an-tee-okh'-i-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (an-tee-okh'-i-ah)
KJV: Antioch
NASB: Antioch
Word Origin: [from Antiochus (a Syrian king)]

1. Antiochia, a place in Syria

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Antioch.

From Antiochus (a Syrian king); Antiochia, a place in Syria -- Antioch.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from Antiochos (Antiochus, the name of a number of Syrian kings)
Definition
Antioch, the name of two cities
NASB Translation
Antioch (18).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 490: Ἀντιόχεια

Ἀντιόχεια, Ἀντιοχείας, , Antioch, the name (derived from various monarchs) of several Asiatic cities, two of which are mentioned in the N. T.;

1. The most celebrated of all, and the capital of Syria, was situated on the river Orontes, founded by Seleucus I (sometimes (cf. Suidas under the word Σέλευκος, col. 3277 b., Gaisf. edition) called) Nicanor (elsewhere (cf. id. col. 2137 b. under the word Κολασσαεύς) son of Nicanor; but commonly Nicator (cf. Appian de rebus Syr., § 57; Spanh. de numis. diss. vii., § 3, vol. i., p. 413)), and named in honor of his father Antiochus. Many ἑλληνισται, Greek-Jews, lived in it; and there those who professed the name of Christ were first called Christians: Acts 11:19ff; ff; Galatians 2:11; cf. Reuss in Schenkel 1:141f; (BB. DD. under the word; Conyb. and Howson, St. Paul, 1:121-126; also the latter in the Diet. of Geogr. under the word; Renan, Les Apotres, chapter xii.).

2. A city of Phrygia, but called in Acts 13:14 Antioch of Pisidia (or according to the critical texts the Pisidian Antioch (see Πισίδιος)) because it was on the confines of Pisidia (more exactly πρός Πισιδία, Strabo 12, p. 577, 8): Acts 14:19, 21; 2 Timothy 3:11. This was founded also by Seleucus Nicator (cf. BB. DD. under the word; Conyb. and Howson, St. Paul, i., 168ff).

Topical Lexicon
Geographical Setting

Antioch (Greek Antiocheia) appears in the New Testament as two distinct cities:
• Antioch of Syria, situated on the Orontes River, third-largest city of the Roman Empire and capital of the province of Syria.
• Antioch in Pisidia, a Roman colony on the plateau of Asia Minor, dominating the central road network of Galatia.

Both cities lay on major trade routes, possessed sizable Jewish populations, and enjoyed the status of free cities, factors that explain their readiness to receive apostolic preaching.

Antioch of Syria in Apostolic Mission

Acts 11 introduces Antioch of Syria as the first large-scale Gentile mission field. Persecuted believers from Jerusalem “traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch” (Acts 11:19). In this cosmopolitan center the gospel leaped the ethnic barrier: “Men from Cyprus and Cyrene… began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20). Barnabas, sent by Jerusalem, quickly enlisted Saul, and “for a whole year they met with the church and taught great numbers” (Acts 11:26).

The Name Christian and Identity of the Church

Acts 11:26 records a pivotal moment: “The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch”. The label, probably coined by local Gentiles, identified followers of Jesus as a distinct community, neither merely Jewish nor a civic association. Antioch thus shaped early Christian self-understanding and public perception.

Ministry Leadership and Prophetic Activity

The congregation’s leadership blended cultural diversity and varied gifts (Acts 13:1 lists Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul). Prophets from Jerusalem twice interacted with the church: Agabus foretold famine (Acts 11:27-28), prompting generous relief for Judea (Acts 11:29-30); later Judas Barsabbas and Silas delivered the Jerusalem Council’s decree (Acts 15:22-35). Such traffic underscores Antioch’s recognized authority and its partnership with Jerusalem.

Launching Point for Paul’s Journeys

From Antioch of Syria the Holy Spirit commissioned the first intentional missionary team: “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). Each of Paul’s three missionary journeys either began (Acts 13:3; 15:35-41; 18:22-23) or ended (Acts 14:26-28; 18:22) in Antioch, confirming the church as Paul’s home base and logistical hub.

The Antioch Incident and the Gospel of Grace

Galatians 2:11-14 recalls Peter’s withdrawal from Gentile table fellowship in Antioch, prompting Paul’s public rebuke. The event highlighted the theological conviction that justification is by faith apart from works of the Law and safeguarded Gentile liberty. Antioch therefore served as the proving ground for gospel inclusivity.

Antioch in Pisidia: A Strategic City in Paul’s First Journey

Acts 13:14 situates Paul and Barnabas in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preached the resurrection and forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:16-41). The initial response was enthusiastic, but jealousy led to persecution and expulsion (Acts 13:45-50). On the return leg they revisited the city, “strengthening the disciples” (Acts 14:21-23). Pisidian Antioch demonstrated Paul’s synagogue-first strategy, the pattern of Jewish rejection and Gentile acceptance, and the establishment of organized local leadership.

Persecution and Providence

Opponents from Pisidian Antioch later incited violence in Lystra (Acts 14:19), showing how resistance traveled alongside the gospel. Yet the hostility only propelled the mission forward, fulfilling Jesus’ promise that persecution would serve as a platform for witness.

Connection with the Jerusalem Council

Believers from Antioch triggered the council by disputing circumcision (Acts 15:1-2). After deliberation, Jerusalem’s leaders sent an official letter back to Antioch (Acts 15:23), where its public reading “brought rejoicing by its encouragement” (Acts 15:31). The episode cemented doctrinal unity across the early Church.

Later New Testament Echoes

Paul’s summary to Timothy includes “what happened to me in Antioch” (2 Timothy 3:11), a reminder that godly ministry entails perseverance amid adversity. Though Luke does not narrate a final visit, Acts 18:22 hints that Paul “went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch,” marking the close of his second journey and perhaps his last recorded stay.

Theological Importance

1. Missionary Model: Antioch exemplifies a Spirit-directed, culturally diverse, teaching-oriented church that sends and supports missionaries.
2. Unity in Diversity: Jew and Gentile fellowship under one gospel became normative through Antioch’s experience.
3. Doctrinal Clarity: Conflicts resolved in Antioch clarified essential truths—salvation by grace and the universality of the gospel.
4. Generosity: The famine relief offering set a precedent for inter-church compassion.

Applications for Contemporary Ministry

• Cultivate multicultural leadership teams that mirror Antioch’s breadth.
• Anchor mission initiatives in dedicated prayer and fasting (Acts 13:2-3).
• Hold doctrinal fidelity and practical charity together.
• View opposition as an occasion for deeper dependence on God and broader proclamation.

Antioch’s eighteen New Testament references collectively portray a vibrant, outward-looking congregation whose faithful witness shaped the trajectory of Christian history and offers an enduring template for gospel ministry today.

Forms and Transliterations
Αντιοχεια Ἀντιοχείᾳ Αντιοχειαν Ἀντιόχειαν Αντιοχειας Ἀντιοχείας Antiocheia Antiocheíāi Antiocheian Antiócheian Antiocheias Antiocheías
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 11:19 N-GFS
GRK: Κύπρου καὶ Ἀντιοχείας μηδενὶ λαλοῦντες
NAS: and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking
KJV: and Antioch, preaching
INT: Cyprus and Antioch to no one speaking

Acts 11:20 N-AFS
GRK: ἐλθόντες εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν ἐλάλουν καὶ
NAS: came to Antioch and [began] speaking
KJV: to Antioch, spake
INT: having come into Antioch spoke also

Acts 11:22 N-GFS
GRK: διελθεῖν ἕως Ἀντιοχείας
NAS: Barnabas off to Antioch.
KJV: that he should go as far as Antioch.
INT: to go as far as Antioch

Acts 11:26 N-AFS
GRK: ἤγαγεν εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν ἐγένετο δὲ
NAS: him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire
KJV: him unto Antioch. And it came to pass,
INT: he brought [him] to Antioch it came to pass moreover

Acts 11:26 N-DFS
GRK: πρώτως ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ τοὺς μαθητὰς
NAS: called Christians in Antioch.
KJV: first in Antioch.
INT: first in Antioch the disciples

Acts 11:27 N-AFS
GRK: προφῆται εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν
NAS: came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
KJV: Jerusalem unto Antioch.
INT: prophets to Antioch

Acts 13:1 N-DFS
GRK: δὲ ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ κατὰ τὴν
NAS: Now there were at Antioch, in the church
KJV: that was at Antioch certain prophets
INT: moreover in Antioch in the

Acts 13:14 N-AFS
GRK: παρεγένοντο εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν τὴν Πισιδίαν
NAS: at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath
KJV: they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and
INT: came to Antioch of Pisidia

Acts 14:19 N-GFS
GRK: δὲ ἀπὸ Ἀντιοχείας καὶ Ἰκονίου
NAS: came from Antioch and Iconium,
KJV: from Antioch and
INT: moreover from Antioch and Iconium

Acts 14:21 N-AFS
GRK: καὶ εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν
NAS: and to Iconium and to Antioch,
KJV: [to] Iconium, and Antioch,
INT: and to Antioch

Acts 14:26 N-AFS
GRK: ἀπέπλευσαν εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν ὅθεν ἦσαν
NAS: they sailed to Antioch, from which
KJV: to Antioch, from whence
INT: they sailed to Antioch from where they had

Acts 15:22 N-AFS
GRK: πέμψαι εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν σὺν τῷ
NAS: them to send to Antioch with Paul
KJV: their own company to Antioch with Paul
INT: to send to Antioch with

Acts 15:23 N-AFS
GRK: κατὰ τὴν Ἀντιόχειαν καὶ Συρίαν
NAS: to the brethren in Antioch and Syria
KJV: the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria
INT: in Antioch and Syria

Acts 15:30 N-AFS
GRK: κατῆλθον εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν καὶ συναγαγόντες
NAS: they went down to Antioch; and having gathered
KJV: to Antioch: and
INT: went to Antioch and having gathered

Acts 15:35 N-DFS
GRK: διέτριβον ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ διδάσκοντες καὶ
NAS: stayed in Antioch, teaching
KJV: continued in Antioch, teaching and
INT: stayed in Antioch teaching and

Acts 18:22 N-AFS
GRK: κατέβη εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν
NAS: the church, and went down to Antioch.
KJV: he went down to Antioch.
INT: he went down to Antioch

Galatians 2:11 N-AFS
GRK: Κηφᾶς εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν κατὰ πρόσωπον
NAS: came to Antioch, I opposed
KJV: was come to Antioch, I withstood him
INT: Peter to Antioch to face

2 Timothy 3:11 N-DFS
GRK: ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ ἐν Ἰκονίῳ
NAS: as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium
KJV: unto me at Antioch, at Iconium,
INT: happened in Antioch in Iconium

Strong's Greek 490
18 Occurrences


Ἀντιοχείᾳ — 4 Occ.
Ἀντιόχειαν — 11 Occ.
Ἀντιοχείας — 3 Occ.

489
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