Antioch
Antioch is an ancient city mentioned in the New Testament, located in the region of Syria in modern-day Syria. Known today as Antioch on the Orontes. It appears across 18 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Antioch on the Orontes in Syria was the third largest city in the Roman Empire and the birthplace of Gentile Christianity. Founded in 300 BCE by Seleucus I Nicator, it became the Roman capital of the province of Syria. Following the persecution after Stephen's martyrdom, scattered believers reached Antioch and began preaching to Greeks (Acts 11:19–21). The church there was the first place where disciples were called 'Christians' (Acts 11:26). Barnabas traveled there from Jerusalem, then enlisted Paul, and together they taught the congregation for a year (Acts 11:22–26). Antioch became the sending base for all three of Paul's missionary journeys (Acts 13:1–3; 15:35–41; 18:22–23). The pivotal Antioch Incident, the confrontation between Paul and Peter over table fellowship with Gentiles (Galatians 2:11–14), took place here, shaping the theology of Gentile inclusion that undergirds Paul's letters. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) arose directly from questions generated by Antioch's flourishing Gentile mission. This city stands as the launching pad for the gospel's spread to Europe and the wider Mediterranean world.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Antioch on the Orontes, modern Antakya in Hatay Province, Turkey, was extensively excavated by the Princeton University–led expedition between 1932 and 1939. The excavations uncovered a remarkable collection of mosaic floors from Roman-era villas and public buildings, now housed in the Hatay Archaeology Museum and several international collections. The ancient city lies largely beneath modern Antakya, limiting excavation, but the suburb of Daphne and the island city were also investigated. A cave church traditionally associated with St. Peter (the Grotto of St. Peter) is preserved on the slopes of Mount Staurin. The Via Antiochia road network and portions of the colonnaded street have been documented. Ongoing salvage excavations continue to yield Roman and Byzantine remains as the modern city expands.
Verse Appearances (18)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- OpenBible.info (n.d.) Bible Geocoding. Available at: https://www.openbible.info/geo/. [CC BY 4.0]
- Bagnall, R. et al. (eds.) (n.d.) Pleiades: A Gazetteer of Past Places. Available at: https://pleiades.stoa.org. [CC BY 3.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]