Acts 8:4
What does Acts 8:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:4 means
Despite the severe persecution and forced displacement from Jerusalem, the scattered believers did not abandon their faith; instead, they became spontaneous missionaries. As they traveled throughout Judea and Samaria, they continually proclaimed the "word," meaning the Gospel message about Jesus Christ. This verse highlights the unstoppable nature of God's plan, where human opposition inadvertently becomes the means by which the Good News spreads even further, fulfilling Christ's commission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But those who had gone in flight went everywhere preaching the word.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862they then indeed, having been scattered, went abroad proclaiming good news--the word.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They therefore that were dispersed went about preaching the word of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Those then that had been scattered went through [the countries] announcing the glad tidings of the word.
Context
This verse serves as a crucial bridge, shifting the narrative from the persecution in Jerusalem to the expansion of the Gospel. It shows the immediate effect of the scattering described in verse 1. It directly introduces the actions of Philip in Samaria, as detailed in verse 5, demonstrating how the scattered believers fulfilled Christ's command to spread the message beyond Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2
but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict.
- Acts 8:1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
- Acts 11:19
They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
- Acts 14:2
But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.
- Matthew 10:23
But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
- Acts 15:35
But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
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