Skip to Content

Acts

Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.

Acts 14

1And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.

1And 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.

Commentary · verse 1

In Iconium, both Barnabas and Paul spoke in the synagogue. As a result, many Jews and Greeks believed.

2But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.

2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Commentary · verse 2

Again, the disobedient (unbelieving) Jews made the souls/minds of the Gentiles evil against the believers.

3Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them, 6they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: 7and there they preached the gospel.

3Long 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.

4But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5And 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,

6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

7And there they preached the gospel.

Commentary · verses 3-7

Paul and Barnabas were able to do signs and wonders which only caused a more definite division. Signs and wonders do not make people believe. Belief is always in the control of the individual. Paul and Barnabas became aware of a plan against them (because of the signs and wonders) and they fled to Lystra (Timothy's home town) and Derbe, both were cities of Lycaonia. They preached the gospel there.

8And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.

9The same heard Paul speaking: who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, 10said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked.

8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

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

Commentary · verses 8-10

A man crippled from birth was healed. Paul focused his eyes upon him and saw he had faith. Paul then made a statement where the object of the healing was the subject of the statement. The crippled man leaped and walked, a complete healing.

11And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

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

11And 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.

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

Commentary · verses 11-12

The people of Lycaonia thought Paul was their god Mercury and Barnabas was their god Jupiter.

13And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.

14But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out

13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

Commentary · verses 13-14

The priest of Jupiter brought gifts to Paul and Barnabas but they became upset.

15and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:

15And 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:

Commentary · verse 15

Paul and Barnabas declared that they too were men of "like passions" but they preached turning from these vanities to the living God.

16who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.

17And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.

18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.

16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17Nevertheless 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.

18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

Commentary · verses 16-18

Paul and Barnabas were barely able to stop the multitudes from worshiping them. Sounded like no opposition would come against them here.

19But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

19And 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.

Commentary · verse 19

Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium (the previous stops on this first missionary journey) persuaded the people who wanted to worship Paul to stone him. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium must have been physically following Paul or heard reports. Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city supposing he was dead. It was possible Paul actually did die and that this was when he was taken to the "third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12) and afterwards he was brought back to life. At this point, Paul had visited all of the cities during his first missionary journey. The rest of this journey can be seen as Paul revisiting each place.

20But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.

20Howbeit, 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.

Commentary · verse 20

Paul rose up and went back into the city! The next day, Paul and Barnabas went back to Derbe.

21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,

21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

Commentary · verse 21

They returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. Perhaps the people who came from Iconium and Antioch did not want to stone Paul again because he would just rise from the dead and cause even more people to believe.

22confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

22Confirming 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.

Commentary · verse 22

While going through these cities again, Barnabas and Paul confirmed and exhorted the disciples there that they should continue in the faith and told them that through much tribulation they will enter the Kingdom of God.

Doctrine: Those who enter the Kingdom of God will go through many tribulations.

23And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Commentary · verse 23

Paul and Barnabas ordained elders (pastors) in every church. Paul and Barnabas were not elders (pastors), they were apostles: they founded these churches.

24And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.

25And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia;

24And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

Commentary · verses 24-25

The next travels and stops were Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga and Attalia.

26and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.

26And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

Commentary · verse 26

From there they sailed to Antioch which ended Paul's first missionary journey.

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

27And 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.

Commentary · verse 27

In Antioch, they gathered the church together and told them of the events of the journey and how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. This testimony ought to have built the faith of those listening.

28And they tarried no little time with the disciples.

28And there they abode long time with the disciples.

Commentary · verse 28

They stayed in Antioch for a long time.

Up and down arrows move between verses, Enter selects one, Shift with an arrow takes in a run. Tab then reaches Save, Add Note and Copy.