Antioch
Where is Antioch today? Antakya, the central district of Hatay, Türkiye: where disciples were first called Christians and where Paul's journeys began.
- Today
- Antakya, Hatay
- Country
- Türkiye
- Status
- Central district: St. Peter's Cave Church
- Identification
- Certain
Antioch (Syrian Antioch) was the most important centre of the early church after Jerusalem. Believers scattered after Stephen's death brought the good news about the Lord Jesus to Greek speakers here; Barnabas and Paul taught the church for a whole year, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:19–26). At the Holy Spirit's call, Barnabas and Saul were sent out from here on the first missionary journey, and on returning they reported everything to the church (Acts 13:1–3; 14:26–27). Paul's confrontation with Peter also took place in Antioch (Galatians 2:11). It should not be confused with Pisidian Antioch.
Read the chapters
Related topics
Related people
- Paul
- Peter
- Barnabas
- Stephen
- Lydia
- Matthew
- Timothy
- Hagar
- John the Apostle
- Philip the Apostle
- Judas Iscariot
- Mark
Related verse collections
- Bible Verses About Patience
- Bible Verses About Salvation
- Bible Verses About Repentance
- Bible Verses About Generosity
- Bible Verses About Faithfulness
- Bible Verses About Witness
- Bible Verses About Joy
Reading plans
- The Early Church Through Acts — 28 Days
- The Bible in a Year — 365 Days from Cover to Cover
- 30 Days with the Gospel — An Introduction to the New Testament
Related guides
- What Is Christianity?
What is Christianity, when and how did it emerge, what is its main book and into which main traditions does it divide? A short, neutral and non-denominational guide.
- What Is a Church (Kilise)?
What is a church, what does the word mean and what does it refer to in the Bible? A short, neutral guide to community vs. building, its origin and its different traditions.
Books
Places in the Bible
Which country is biblical Antioch in today?
Antioch is today in Türkiye: it is Antakya, the central district of Hatay Province, and the ancient city lies on the Orontes (Asi) River beneath the modern town. The disciples were first called Christians here (Acts 11:26). On the slope of Mount Habib-i Neccar, northeast of the centre, stands St. Peter's Cave Church, which church tradition links with Peter as a meeting place of the first Christians. The city was heavily damaged in the earthquakes of 6 February 2023; the cave church came through with light damage.
Where were believers first called Christians?
According to Acts, Jesus' disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). At the time Barnabas and Paul were spending a whole year teaching the church there.
Are Antioch and Pisidian Antioch the same place?
No. Antioch is the great Syrian city that is now the centre of Hatay, while Pisidian Antioch lies near Yalvaç in Isparta. Paul set out on his first journey from Antioch and on the way also visited Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:1–3, 13:14).