📖 Biblical Definition
Antioch of Pisidia was a Roman colony in central Asia Minor where Paul preached his first recorded sermon (Acts 13:14-52), tracing salvation history from Israel’s exodus through David to the resurrection of Jesus. The reception split predictably: "And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy" (13:42-45). The Jews stirred up the leading women and chief men of the city to expel Paul and Barnabas, who shook off the dust of their feet and departed for Iconium. Paul revisited the city on his return journey to strengthen the disciples (14:21-22).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ANTIOCH (Pisidia) — a Roman colony in central Asia Minor; the pulpit of Paul's first recorded apostolic sermon.
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Webster 1828 omits the proper name. Pisidian Antioch must be distinguished from Syrian Antioch (the apostolic mission base) — this Antioch is the synagogue stage on which Paul publicly traced salvation from Abraham to Christ and announced the formal pivot of the apostolic mission to the Gentiles after Jewish opposition. The next Sabbath nearly the whole city came to hear the word of God.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 13:14 — "But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down."
Acts 13:44 — "On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God."
Acts 13:46 — "Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”"
Acts 13:48 — "Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Pisidian Antioch is the hinge: rejection by the synagogue opens the door to the nations.
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Paul's synagogue sermon at Pisidian Antioch is one of the longest in Acts. The next Sabbath the whole city came; the Jews grew envious, blasphemed, contradicted; Paul announced the formal turn to the Gentiles. This is no accident of itinerary — it is the inspired moment at which the gospel formally crosses the ethnic boundary.
The corruption is the modern reading that severs the gospel from Israel's story. Paul preached salvation from Abraham forward; the Gentile mission was Israel's rejection making room for the nations, and the nations were glad. The pattern remains: when the synagogue closes, the streets open.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek Antiocheia (G490) + Pisidia (G4099); paired with proseratomēn (to turn to) and ethnē (Gentiles).
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G490 — Antiocheia — Antioch; here, the Pisidian colony
G4099 — Pisidia — Pisidia; the region in Asia Minor
G1484 — ethnos — Gentile, nation; the new audience
Usage
"They came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue (Acts 13:14)."
"Almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God (Acts 13:44)."
"We turn to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46)."