Verse MeaningActsComplex verse
Acts 16:1: Meaning Explained
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain...
Acts 16:1
“Paul arrived at Derbe and then at Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was Greek.”
What Does This Verse Mean?
Paul came to the city of Lystra and found a young believer named Timothy. Timothy's mother was Jewish and believed in Jesus, but his father was Greek.
What’s Happening Here
Paul is visiting churches from the first missionary journey. He meets Timothy, who has a mixed-race family but was raised with Jewish and Christian teachings.
Key Words
DiscipleA believer; a follower of Jesus
TimothyA young man who would become Paul's closest helper
Jewish believerTimothy's mother believed in Jesus and followed Jewish practices
GreekNon-Jewish; his father wasn't Jewish
Why It Matters
Timothy was a bridge between Jewish and Gentile believers. His background made him valuable for missionary work.
Did You Know?
Timothy became Paul's 'son in the faith.' Paul wrote two books (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy) to him later.
Word Study
G2658
came heΚατήντησεν
G1161
Thenδὲ
G1519
toεἰς
G1191
DerbeΔέρβην
G2532
andκαὶ
G3082
LystraΛύστραν
G2400
beholdἰδού,
G3101
discipleμαθητής
G5100
a certainτινος
G2258
wasἦν
G1563
thereἐκεῖ
G3686
namedὀνόματι
G5095
TimotheusΤιμόθεος
G5207
the sonυἱὸς
G1135
womanγυναικὸς
G2453
which was a JewessἸουδαίας
G4103
and believedπιστῆς
G3962
his fatherπατρὸς
G1672
was a GreekἝλληνος
Cross References
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Read Acts 16:1 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.