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Ἀντιόχεια (Antiocheia)

Antiocheia

Antioch

G0490 · Greek · New Testament · 17 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
17 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The noun Antiocheia refers to two distinct cities in the New Testament, both named after the Seleucid king Antiochus. The most prominent is Antioch in Syria, a major urban center on the Orontes River where the disciples were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26). This Syrian hub served as the launchpad for Paul’s missionary journeys and the site of significant theological debates, including his confrontation with Peter recorded in Galatians 2:11.

A second Antioch lies in Pisidia, further inland. Acts describes Paul and Barnabas preaching there before being expelled by local opposition (Acts 13:14; 14:19). While the Syrian city is linked to early church administration and community life, the Pisidian location highlights the initial spread of the gospel into Gentile regions. The name itself reflects Hellenistic royal naming conventions rather than a specific theological concept.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

Antioch stands as a landmark in early Christian history, marking the moment when the message of Jesus moved beyond Jewish communities to embrace Gentile believers. It was here that followers of Christ were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26), signifying a new identity rooted in shared faith rather than ethnic lineage. This city became a vital hub where diverse groups gathered, learned, and supported one another in the gospel.

The narrative of Antioch also reveals the human side of the early church. Tensions arose, such as Paul’s confrontation with Peter over table fellowship (Galatians 2:11), yet these challenges were addressed directly to preserve unity. The city served as a base for missionary journeys and a place where believers endured persecution together, finding strength in their shared commitment to the Lord.

For readers today, Antioch illustrates how faith communities thrive when they welcome diversity and navigate conflict with honesty. It reminds us that the church is not defined by perfection but by its witness to Jesus Christ across cultural boundaries.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Antioch9×
  • Antioch;4×
  • Antioch,4×
  • Antioch.1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • Ἀντιόχειαν4×
  • Ἀντιόχειαν·3×
  • Ἀντιόχειαν,3×
  • Ἀντιοχείᾳ3×
  • Ἀντιοχείας2×
  • Ἀντιόχειαν.1×
  • Ἀντιοχείᾳ,1×
  • Ἀντιοχείας·1×

Key Verses

  • Acts 11:26
    When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

    This verse marks the first recorded use of the term "Christians" to describe believers, highlighting Antioch's role in defining early Christian identity.

  • Galatians 2:11
    But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.

    Paul’s public correction of Peter here shows how the early church addressed serious issues of unity and truth within the community.

  • Acts 13:1
    Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

    This passage lists the diverse leaders in Antioch, illustrating the multicultural nature of the church that launched missionary work.

  • Acts 14:19
    But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

    Paul’s stoning in Pisidian Antioch demonstrates the severe opposition faced by early missionaries and their resilience.

  • II Timothy 3:11
    persecutions, and sufferings—those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all.

    Paul recalls his sufferings in Antioch as evidence of God’s deliverance, connecting personal trials to broader missionary service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Antioch mean in the Bible?

Antioch refers to two cities named after Seleucid kings. The New Testament primarily highlights Antioch in Syria, where believers were first called Christians, and Antioch in Pisidia, a key stop on Paul’s first missionary journey.

Why is Antioch important for the early church?

Antioch became the launching point for Paul’s missionary journeys and a center for Gentile inclusion. It was also where significant theological debates, like the one between Paul and Peter, took place to preserve gospel truth.

What happened in Antioch that led to the name "Christians"?

In Acts 11:26, believers gathered in Antioch for a year, teaching many. The term "Christians" was likely coined by outsiders to describe this distinct group devoted to Jesus, marking a shift from Jewish sect to a broader movement.

Every Occurrence (17 verses across 3 books)

Acts 15 verses
Acts 11:19

They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia,…

Acts 11:20

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists,…

Acts 11:22

The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far…

Acts 11:26

When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and…

Acts 11:27

Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

Acts 13:1

Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,…

Acts 13:14

But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat…

Acts 14:19

But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged…

Acts 14:21

When they had preached the Good News to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and…

Acts 14:26

From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had…

Acts 15:22

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and…

Acts 15:23

They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the…

Acts 15:30

So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

Acts 15:35

But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 18:22

When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.

Galatians 1 verse
II Timothy 1 verse