One thing I wish we had a better appreciation for as Christians is geography. That might seem like an odd thing to hope for. Indeed, other subjects are more important. Nevertheless, a better understanding of geography can illuminate the biblical narrative and uncover deeper theological insights. Traveling to Israel and Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) brings the significance of geography to the foreground. One area where geography is particularly relevant is Paul’s missionary travels.

Growing up in Sunday school, I learned about Paul’s missionary journeys. I learned how Paul and his companions traveled through the cities and towns of Asia Minor and Greece, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to Jews and Gentiles. As part of these lessons, the Sunday school teacher often referred to the maps in our Bibles that traced their routes. However, the question we never asked was, why did they go to these cities? Why did they take this particular route? I believe a careful reading of the biblical text coupled with the geography (and a little archaeology) can reveal some interesting insights about their travels and the work of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 13, Barnabas and Saul are sent off on their first missionary journey. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'” (Acts 13:2, NRSV). In verse 3, Luke indicates that they departed after a period of fasting and prayer. There is no indication of how much time elapses between verses 2 and 3. How much planning did they do? Did they map out a route? We only know that they undertook a time of prayer and fasting. But there does seem to be a consistent logic behind their journey—at least for the first few stops.

Barnabas and Saul’s first stop on their journey is the island of Cyprus—a 130-mile sea voyage. Why Cyprus? Why not Tarsus, which was only 80 miles by boat? We cannot know for sure, but we can make an educated guess. Barnabas was a native of Cyprus (Acts 4:36). It seems that Barnabas and Saul picked their first destination based on Barnabas’s family ties and personal connections. In Cyprus, they meet the Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus, who becomes a believer.

Their next major stop is Pisidian Antioch by way of Perga (Acts 13:13–14). This destination is geographically curious. A quick reading of this passage could leave one with the impression that Perga and Pisidian Antioch are neighboring towns. They are not. Antioch is nearly 100 miles north of Perga, with a mountain range in between. Moreover, there were plenty of cities and towns closer to Perga than Antioch. Why did they not canvas the cities and villages of Pamphylia? Instead, Luke indicates they proceeded directly to Antioch in Pisidia. Why?

Archaeology provides an additional clue to a possible motive. Archaeologists have found two inscriptions dating to the first century AD referencing the Sergius Paulus family in Pisidian Antioch. The supposition is that the Paulus family estate was in this city. As an aside, we have two other first-century inscriptions mentioning a Lucius Sergius Paulus. One is in Cyprus, and the other is in Rome.

A pattern emerges when we combine the archaeological evidence and the geography with the biblical text. It seems possible that Sergius Paulus encouraged Paul and Barnabas to take the Good News of Jesus to his ancestral home in Pisidian Antioch. Perhaps he sent them with letters of introduction. It is possible he even sent emissaries with them. In Acts 13:13, Luke writes, “Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos…” Luke’s use of “companions” could indicate more than just Barnabas and John Mark.

These geographic and archaeological details of Paul and Barnabas’s travels offer insights into the work of the Holy Spirit in this missionary effort. First, the nature of the Spirit’s calling is quite vague. “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). There is no indication of precisely what this work entails. The Holy Spirit does not appear to offer them any specifics. Instead, their path seems driven by family connections. First, they visit Barnabas’s homeland to share the Gospel. From there, their new convert, Sergius Paulus, appears to encourage them to visit his family to share the Good News with them.

Second, their journey with the Holy Spirit seems remarkably similar to ours. It is easy to think that the Holy Spirit proactively communicates the route to Paul and Barnabas. However, a careful reading of the biblical text in light of the geography and archaeology indicates that their journey is more a response to circumstances and personal connections. In other words, their journey is one of tremendous faith in the presence of uncertainty, much like our own (or at least mine). God calls us to serve the Kingdom of God without knowing where it will take us. Like Barnabas and Paul, maybe we start by sharing our faith with our personal connections, trusting that God will bring fruit from our efforts. May we have faith to travel the unknown path, trusting that God is with us in our doubts and fears as we go about the work God has set before us.

—Rob Kranz is a PhD student in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He is a member and regular Bible teacher at the Greenville Oaks Church of Christ in Allen, TX. He is the grandson of Charles Kranz, the brother of Irene Chowning.