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Acceptance and Opposition

14 Now in Iconium Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way [with such power and boldness] that a large number of Jews as well as Greeks believed [and confidently accepted Jesus as Savior]; but the unbelieving Jews [who rejected Jesus as Messiah] stirred up and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the [a]believers. So Paul and Barnabas stayed for a long time, speaking boldly and confidently for the Lord, who continued to testify to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders (attesting miracles) be done by them. But the people of the city were divided; some were siding with the Jews, and some with the apostles. When there was an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to shamefully mistreat and to stone them, they, aware of the situation, escaped to Lystra and Derbe, [taking refuge in the] cities of Lycaonia, and the neighboring region; and there they continued to preach the good news.

Now at Lystra a man sat who was unable to use his feet, for he was crippled from birth and had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, and Paul looked intently at him and saw that he had faith to be healed, 10 and said with a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet.” And he jumped up and began to walk. 11 And the crowds, when they saw what Paul had done, raised their voices, shouting in the [b]Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us [c]in human form!” 12 They began calling Barnabas, Zeus [chief of the Greek gods], and Paul, Hermes [messenger of the Greek gods], since he took the lead in speaking. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance of the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates, and wanted to offer sacrifices with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they [d]tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We too are only men of the same nature as you, bringing the good news to you, so that you turn from these useless and meaningless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them.(A) 16 In generations past He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 yet He did not leave Himself without some witness [as evidence of Himself], in that He kept constantly doing good things and showing you kindness, and giving you rains from heaven and productive seasons, filling your hearts with food and happiness.” 18 Even saying these words, with difficulty they prevented the people from offering sacrifices to them.

19 But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.(B) 20 But the disciples formed a circle around him, and he got up and went back into the city; and the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 They preached the good news to that city and made many disciples, then they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they believed [and joyfully accepted as the Messiah].

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word [of salvation through faith in Christ] in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to [e]Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the [f]work which they had now completed. 27 Arriving there, they gathered the church together and began to report [in great detail] everything that God had done with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith [in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior]. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 14:2 Lit brethren.
  2. Acts 14:11 An ancient dialect no longer known.
  3. Acts 14:11 Lit having become like humans.
  4. Acts 14:14 This was the customary Jewish response to blasphemy, which in this case was appropriate because the apostles were wrongly being identified as gods.
  5. Acts 14:26 This was the third largest city in the Roman Empire and was part of the province of Galatia.
  6. Acts 14:26 The first missionary journey lasted about eighteen months.

14 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: and there they preached the gospel.

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: the same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 15 and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16 who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

14 1 Paul and Barnabas 5 are persecuted at Iconium: 6 At Lystra Paul  10 healeth a cripple: 13 They are about to do sacrifice unto them, 18 but they forbid it. 19 Paul by the persuasion of certain Jews, is stoned: 23 From thence passing through divers Churches,  26 they return to Antioch.

And [a]it came to pass in [b]Iconium, that they went both together into the Synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Grecians believed.

And the [c]unbelieving Jews stirred up, and corrupted the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.

[d]So therefore they abode there a long time, and spake boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and caused signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was divided: and some were with the Jews, and some with the Apostles.

And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and of the Jews with their rulers, to do them violence, and to stone them,

They were ware of it, and [e]fled unto Lystra, and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region round about,

And there preached the Gospel.

[f]Now there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, which was a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.

He heard Paul speak: who beholding him and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up, and walked.

11 Then when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, Gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter: and Paul Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

13 Then Jupiter’s Priest, which was before their city, brought bulls with garlands unto the [g]gates, and would have sacrificed with the people.

14 But when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard it, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying,

15 [h]And saying, O men, why do ye these things? We are even men subject to the [i]like passions that ye be, and preach unto you, that ye should turn from these [j]vain things unto the living God, (A)which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that in them are:

16 [k]Who in times past (B)[l]suffered all the Gentiles to walk in their own ways.

17 Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food, and gladness.

18 And speaking these things, scarce appeased they the multitude, that they had not sacrificed unto them.

19 [m]Then there came certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, which when they had persuaded the people, (C)stoned Paul, and drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he arose up, and came into the city, and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 [n]And after they had preached the glad tidings of the Gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch.

22 [o]Confirming the disciples hearts, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, affirming that we must through many afflictions enter into the kingdom of God.

23 [p]And when they had ordained them Elders by election in every Church, and prayed, and fasted, they commended them to the Lord in whom they believed.

24 [q]Thus they went throughout Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.

25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they came down to [r]Attalia,

26 And thence sailed to [s]Antioch, (D)from whence they had been commended unto the grace of God, to the work, which they had fulfilled.

27 And when they were come and had gathered the Church together, they rehearsed all the things that God had done by them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

28 So there they abode a long time with the disciples.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 14:1 We ought to be no less constant in preaching of the Gospel, than the perverseness of the wicked is obstinate in persecuting of it.
  2. Acts 14:1 Iconium was a city of Lycaonia.
  3. Acts 14:2 Which obeyed not the doctrine.
  4. Acts 14:3 We ought not to leave our places and give place to threatenings, neither to open rage, but when there is no other remedy, and that not for our own quietness’ sake, but that the Gospel of Christ may be spread further abroad.
  5. Acts 14:6 It is lawful sometimes to flee dangers, in time convenient.
  6. Acts 14:8 It is an old subtlety of the devil, either to cause the faithful servants of God to be banished at once, or to be worshipped for idols: and that chiefly taking occasion by miracles wrought by them.
  7. Acts 14:13 Of the house where Paul and Barnabas were.
  8. Acts 14:15 That is also called idolatry, which giveth to creatures, be they never so holy and excellent, that which is proper to the only one God, that is invocation or calling upon.
  9. Acts 14:15 Men, as ye are, and partakers of the selfsame nature of man as you.
  10. Acts 14:15 He calleth idols vain things, after the manner of the Hebrews.
  11. Acts 14:16 Custom, be it never so old, doth not excuse the idolaters.
  12. Acts 14:16 Suffered them to live as they listed, prescribing and appointing them no kind of religion.
  13. Acts 14:19 The devil when he is brought to the last cast, at length rageth openly, but in vain, even then when he seemeth to have the upper hand.
  14. Acts 14:21 We must go forward in our vocation through a thousand deaths.
  15. Acts 14:22 It is the office of the ministers, not only to teach, but also to confirm them that are taught, and prepare them to the cross.
  16. Acts 14:23 The Apostles committed the Churches which they had planted, to proper and peculiar Pastors, which they made not rashly, but with prayers and fastings going before: neither did they thrust them upon Churches through bribery or lordly superiority, but chose and placed them by the voice of the congregation.
  17. Acts 14:24 Paul and Barnabas having made an end of their peregrination, and being returned to Antioch, do render an account to the Congregation or Church.
  18. Acts 14:25 Attalia was a sea city of Pamphylia, near to Lycia.
  19. Acts 14:26 Antioch of Syria.

14 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they did enter together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spake, so that there believed both of Jews and Greeks a great multitude;

and the unbelieving Jews did stir up and made evil the souls of the nations against the brethren;

long time, indeed, therefore, did they abide speaking boldly in the Lord, who is testifying to the word of His grace, and granting signs and wonders to come to pass through their hands.

And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles,

and when there was a purpose both of the nations and of the Jews with their rulers to use [them] despitefully, and to stone them,

they having become aware, did flee to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and to the region round about,

and there they were proclaiming good news.

And a certain man in Lystra, impotent in the feet, was sitting, being lame from the womb of his mother -- who never had walked,

this one was hearing Paul speaking, who, having stedfastly beheld him, and having seen that he hath faith to be saved,

10 said with a loud voice, `Stand up on thy feet upright;' and he was springing and walking,

11 and the multitudes having seen what Paul did, did lift up their voice, in the speech of Lycaonia, saying, `The gods, having become like men, did come down unto us;'

12 they were calling also Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, since he was the leader in speaking.

13 And the priest of the Zeus that is before their city, oxen and garlands unto the porches having brought, with the multitudes did wish to sacrifice,

14 and having heard, the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having rent their garments, did spring into the multitude, crying

15 and saying, `Men, why these things do ye? and we are men like-affected with you, proclaiming good news to you, from these vanities to turn unto the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all the things in them;

16 who in the past generations did suffer all the nations to go on in their ways,

17 though, indeed, without witness He did not leave himself, doing good -- from heaven giving rains to us, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness;'

18 and these things saying, scarcely did they restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

19 And there came thither, from Antioch and Iconium, Jews, and they having persuaded the multitudes, and having stoned Paul, drew him outside of the city, having supposed him to be dead;

20 and the disciples having surrounded him, having risen he entered into the city, and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 Having proclaimed good news also to that city, and having discipled many, they turned back to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch,

22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting to remain in the faith, and that through many tribulations it behoveth us to enter into the reign of God,

23 and having appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly, having prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

24 And having passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia,

25 and having spoken in Perga the word, they went down to Attalia,

26 and thence did sail to Antioch, whence they had been given by the grace of God for the work that they fulfilled;

27 and having come and gathered together the assembly, they declared as many things as God did with them, and that He did open to the nations a door of faith;

28 and they abode there not a little time with the disciples.