Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 8:4

"They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word." — Acts 8:4 (ASV)

Went everywhere. That is, they traveled through the various regions where they were scattered. In all places to which they came, they preached the word.

Preaching the word. In Greek, this is Evangelizing, meaning announcing the good news of the message of mercy, or the word of God. It is not the usual word that is translated as preach, but simply means announcing the good news of salvation.

There is no evidence, nor is there any probability, that all these persons were ordained to preach. They were clearly common Christians who were scattered by the persecution. The meaning is that they communicated to others in conversation, wherever they met them—and probably in the synagogues, where all Jews had a right to speak—the good news that the Messiah had come.

It is not said that they set themselves up as public teachers, or that they administered baptism, or that they founded churches; instead, they proclaimed everywhere the news that a Savior had come. Their hearts were full of it. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; and they made the truth known to all whom they met. We may learn from this:

1. That persecution tends to promote the very thing it aims to destroy.
2. That one of the best means to make Christians active and zealous is to persecute them.
3. That it is right for all Christians to make known the Paths of the gospel. When the heart is full, the lips will speak; and there is no more impropriety in their speaking of redemption than of anything else.
4. It should be the great object of all Christians to make the Savior known everywhere. By their lives, conversation, and pious exhortations and entreaties, they should beseech dying sinners to be reconciled to God. And especially should this be done when they are traveling. Christians, when away from home, seem almost to imagine that they lay aside the obligations of religion. But the example of Christ and his early disciples has taught us that this is precisely the time to attempt to do good.