Acts 15:36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
Original Language Analysis
Μετὰ
after
G3326
Μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
4 of 26
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
6 of 26
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 26
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Βαρναβᾶν
Barnabas
G921
Βαρναβᾶν
Barnabas
Strong's:
G921
Word #:
8 of 26
son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite
Ἐπιστρέψαντες
Let us go again
G1994
Ἐπιστρέψαντες
Let us go again
Strong's:
G1994
Word #:
9 of 26
to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
ἐπισκεψώμεθα
and visit
G1980
ἐπισκεψώμεθα
and visit
Strong's:
G1980
Word #:
11 of 26
to inspect, i.e., (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὺς
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὺς
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
13 of 26
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
κατὰ
in
G2596
κατὰ
in
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
15 of 26
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
αἷς
G3739
αἷς
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
22 of 26
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
24 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
Acts 14:6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:Acts 13:4So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.Acts 13:51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.Acts 14:1And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.Exodus 4:18And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.2 Corinthians 11:28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Historical Context
Paul's first journey (Acts 13-14) had established churches in Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. These churches were only 1-2 years old and needed continued apostolic care.
Questions for Reflection
- How should evangelistic zeal be balanced with pastoral care?
- What responsibility do we have to nurture new believers?
- How can established Christians encourage and strengthen younger believers?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul proposes to Barnabas, 'Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.' This pastoral concern for young churches demonstrates apostolic responsibility. The phrase 'see how they do' shows that evangelism must be followed by discipleship and oversight.