Acts14
New American Standard
1In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a way that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.
2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brothers.
3Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be performed by their hands.
4But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, while others, with the apostles.
5And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to treat them abusively and to stone them,
6they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;
7and there they continued to preach the gospel.
8In Lystra a man was sitting whose feet were incapacitated. He had been disabled from his mother’s womb, and had never walked.
9This man was listening to Paul as he spoke. Paul looked at him intently and saw that he had faith to be made well,
10and he said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” And the man leaped up and began to walk.
11When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us!”
12And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.
13Moreover, the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out
15and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men, of the same nature as you, preaching the gospel to you, to turn from these useless things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them.
16In past generations He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;
17yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
18And even by saying these things, only with difficulty did they restrain the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.
19But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking that he was dead.
20But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
21And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made a good number of disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch,
22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
23When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia.
25When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished.
27When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all the things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
28And they spent a long time with the disciples.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 14.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Paul and Barnabas at Iconium. (1–7). A cripple healed at Lystra, The people would have sacrificed to Paul and Barnabas. (8–18). Paul stoned at Lystra, The churches visited again. (19–28).
vv1-7
The apostles spake so plainly, with such evidence and proof of the Spirit, and with such power; so warmly, and with such concern for the souls of men; that those who heard them could not but say, God was with them of a truth. Yet the success was not to be reckoned to the manner of their preaching, but to the Spirit of God who used that means. Perseverance in doing good, amidst dangers and hardships, is a blessed evidence of grace. Wherever God's servants are driven, they should seek to declare the truth. When they went on in Christ's name and strength, he failed not to give testimony to the word of his grace. He has assured us it is the word of God, and that we may venture our souls upon it. The Gentiles and Jews were at enmity with one another, yet united against Christians. If the church's enemies join to destroy it, shall not its friends unite for its preservation? God has a shelter for his people in a storm; he is, and will be their Hiding-place. In times of persecution, believers may see cause to quit a spot, though they do not quit their Master's work.
vv8-18
All things are possible to those that believe. When we have faith, that most precious gift of God, we shall be delivered from the spiritual helplessness in which we were born, and from the dominion of sinful habits since formed; we shall be made able to stand upright and walk cheerfully in the ways of the Lord. When Christ, the Son of God, appeared in the likeness of men, and did many miracles, men were so far from doing sacrifice to him, that they made him a sacrifice to their pride and malice; but Paul and Barnabas, upon their working one miracle, were treated as gods. The same power of the god of this world, which closes the carnal mind against truth, makes errors and mistakes find easy admission. We do not learn that they rent their clothes when the people spake of stoning them; but when they spake of worshipping them; they could not bear it, being more concerned for God's honour than their own. God's truth needs not the services of man's falsehood. The servants of God might easily obtain undue honours if they would wink at men's errors and vices; but they must dread and detest such respect more than any reproach. When the apostles preached to the Jews, who hated idolatry, they had only to preach the grace of God in Christ; but when they had to do with the Gentiles, they must set right their mistakes in natural religion. Compare their conduct and declaration with the false opinions of those who think the worship of a God, under any name, or in any manner, is equally acceptable to the Lord Almighty. The most powerful arguments, the most earnest and affectionate addresses, even with miracles, are scarcely enough to keep men from absurdities and abominations; much less can they, without special grace, turn the hearts of sinners to God and to holiness.
vv19-28
See how restless the rage of the Jews was against the gospel of Christ. The people stoned Paul, in a popular tumult. So strong is the bent of the corrupt and carnal heart, that as it is with great difficulty that men are kept back from evil on one side, so it is with great ease they are persuaded to evil on the other side. If Paul would have been Mercury, he might have been worshipped; but if he will be a faithful minister of Christ, he shall be stoned, and thrown out of the city. Thus men who easily submit to strong delusions, hate to receive the truth in the love of it. All who are converted need to be confirmed in the faith; all who are planted need to be rooted. Ministers' work is to establish saints as well as to awaken sinners. The grace of God, and nothing less, effectually establishes the souls of the disciples. It is true, we must count upon much tribulation, but it is encouragement that we shall not be lost and perish in it. The Person to whose power and grace the converts and the newly-established churches are commended, clearly was the Lord Jesus, “on whom they had believed.” It was an act of worship. The praise of all the little good we do at any time, must be ascribed to God; for it is He who not only worketh in us both to will and to do, but also worketh with us to make what we do successful. All who love the Lord Jesus, will rejoice to hear that he has opened the door of faith wide, to those who were strangers to him and to his salvation. And let us, like the apostles, abide with those who know and love the Lord.
Key Words
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
Ἰκόνιον (Ikónion): image-like; Iconium, a place in Asia Minor
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai): to enter (literally or figuratively)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos): Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah
συναγωγή (synagōgḗ): an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a Christian church
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λαλέω (laléō): to talk, i.e. utter words
οὕτω (hoútō): in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
Cross References
Acts 14Paul's autobiographical reflection confirming he was stoned once, which occurred here at Lystra.
Supported by JFB
Fulfills Christ's command to flee to another city when persecuted rather than seeking unnecessary death.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Miraculous verbal and physical parallel to Peter's healing of the lifelong temple cripple.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul recalls his specific persecutions in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra in his final epistle.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Peter's absolute refusal of human worship, declaring that he too is only a man.
Supported by JFB
The theological basis for Paul's argument that creation leaves the heathen without excuse.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Shows the relentless hostility of the Jews who traveled from Antioch to stone Paul.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Confirms that Barnabas is counted as an apostle here alongside Paul.
Supported by Matthew Poole