Visiting

Calling to see a person or place. Examples include pilgrims to Jerusalem and those visiting family and friends. Visiting those in need, especially the sick and bereaved, is particularly important. Individuals and churches are encouraged and strengthened by visits from other believers.

Visiting particular people or places

Pilgrims visit Jerusalem

Luke 24:18 See also Luke 2:41; John 5:1, John 12:12; Acts 2:9–11, Acts 8:27–28

One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in recent days?”

Visiting family, friends, etc

Luke 11:6 Exodus 2:11; Acts 7:23; Judges 15:1; Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11; Luke 10:38–42; John 11:20; John 4:43–46 Jesus Christ visits his home region of Galilee.

because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’

Visits from foreign dignitaries

2 Chronicles 9:1 parallel 1 Kings 10:1–2 See also 2 Chronicles 18:2 parallel 1 Kings 22:2; 2 Kings 20:12–13 parallel Isaiah 39:1–2; Jeremiah 27:3

Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan— with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.

Further examples

Genesis 34:1, Genesis 42:2; Acts 7:12–15; Numbers 22:7–8; 1 Samuel 28:8

Visiting those in need

Job 2:11; Matthew 25:36 See also Job 42:11; Matthew 25:39–40

Now when Job’s three friends— Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite— heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him.

I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

The sick

2 Kings 8:29 parallel 2 Chronicles 22:6; 2 Kings 13:14; James 5:14

The bereaved

Genesis 37:34–35; 1 Chronicles 7:22; John 11:19, John 11:45

Visiting fellow believers

Official visits

Acts 15:2 See also Acts 11:30, Acts 15:22; Galatians 2:1–2

And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Visiting churches

Acts 9:32 See also Acts 11:27; 1 Corinthians 16:10; 2 Corinthians 8:22–24; Galatians 2:11; Philippians 2:19; 2 John 1:12

As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.

Paul visits the churches

Acts 15:36–41 See also Acts 19:21; Romans 15:23–29; 1 Corinthians 16:5–6; 2 Corinthians 1:15–16, 2 Corinthians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:1

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark. But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Visiting individuals

Titus 3:12 See also Acts 28:15; Philippians 2:25; 3 John 1:13–14

As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.

Visiting prisoners

2 Timothy 1:16–17 See also 2 Timothy 4:9–13; Philemon 1:12–13; Hebrews 13:3

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains. Indeed, when he arrived in Rome, he searched diligently until he found me.

Divine visitors

Angels

Hebrews 13:2 See also Genesis 18:1–2, Genesis 19:1; Judges 6:11–12, Judges 13:3–22; Luke 1:11, Luke 1:26–28

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

The day of God's visitation

1 Peter 2:12 See also Isaiah 10:3; Jeremiah 46:21; Micah 7:4; Luke 19:44

Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.