Acts 14:23
What does Acts 14:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 14:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 14:23 means
Paul and Barnabas appoint elders “in every church,” demonstrating a pattern of plural, local leadership. They do this with prayer and fasting, entrusting the congregations “to the Lord, on whom they had believed.” Healthy churches need shepherds and dependence on God. The apostles do not create reliance on themselves; they commend believers to the Lord’s care, recognizing He is the true Head of the church. Fasting highlights earnest dependence for wisdom and blessing. This verse shows that church planting includes establishing leadership and rhythms of prayerful trust, not merely gathering converts. Structure serves life; elders are gifts for ongoing teaching, oversight, and protection.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when they had made selection of some to be rulers in every church, and had given themselves to prayer and kept themselves from food, they put them into the care of the Lord in whom they had faith.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly, having prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And passing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having chosen them elders in each assembly, having prayed with fastings, they committed them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
Context
After exhorting perseverance amid tribulations (verse 22), the missionaries ensure each church has qualified leadership. Verse 23 records this appointment and their devotional posture in doing so. With stable leadership in place and the churches commended to the Lord, the narrative can move toward the journey’s conclusion. Verses 24–26 will trace their travel back through Pisidia and Pamphylia to Antioch in Syria. Thus, verse 23 closes the pastoral strengthening section and transitions the story toward the final report to their sending church.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Titus 1:5
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;
- Luke 23:46
And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you;
- Acts 20:32
And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
- James 5:14
Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
- 2 Timothy 2:2
And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
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