Acts 14:28

And they tarried no little time with the disciples.

Much of the time between A.D. 45 and A.D. 50 is covered by this first journey, including the indefinite period mentioned here, which was probably a period of a couple of years; but, as Milligan said, "How much of the time was devoted to the mission, and how much to the labors in Antioch, we have no means of knowing."[35]

A SUMMARY OF THE FIRST JOURNEY

They set out from Syrian Antioch.

Went down the Orontes to Seleucia.

Sailed to Cyprus, landing at Salamis.

Crossed the island lengthwise to Paphos.

Sailed to Perga in Pamphylia.

Journeyed to Pisidian Antioch.

Went to Iconium.

Continued to Lystra.

Evangelized Derbe.

Returned through all of these cities to Perga.

Went overland to Attalia.

Sailed to Syrian Antioch (Seleucia).

The length of this journey was no less than 1,300 miles, some 500 miles of this being by water, and the other 800 miles having taken them over some of the roughest and most dangerous terrain on earth. It is not known if Paul had the advantage of any animal-powered transportation or not; but the wildness of most of the terrain, the absence of good roads, or of any roads at all, plus the total absence of any hint to the contrary, must allow the conjecture to stand that Paul and company negotiated the whole excursion on foot. Marvelous were the sufferings and labors of that dauntless company who thrust themselves into wild and inhospitable regions of that ancient world for the purpose of preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ and salvation in his holy name.

[35] Robert Milligan, op. cit., p. 367.