Acts 14:4
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The people of the city were divided. Some sided with the Jews, and others with the apostles.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
MEETING WITH SIMILAR SUCCESS AND SIMILAR OPPOSITION AT ICONIUM, PAUL AND BARNABAS FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES TO LYSTRA AND DERBE, AND PREACH THERE. (Act 14:1-7) they went both together into the synagogue--Though Paul was now the prominent speaker and actor, yet in everything Barnabas went along with him. a . . . multitude . . . of the Greeks believed--meaning probably the religious proselytes, as opposed to "the Gentiles" mentioned Act 14:2.
Open source ↗We have, in this chapter, a further account of the progress of the gospel, by the ministry of Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles; it goes on conquering and to conquer, yet meeting with opposition, as before, among the unbelieving Jews. Here is, I. Their successful preaching of the gospel for some time at Iconium, and their being driven thence by the violence of their persecutors, both Jews and Gentiles, and forced into the neighbouring countries (Act 14:1-7). II. Their healing a lame man at Lystra, and the profound veneration which the people conceived of them thereupon, which they had much ado to keep from running into an extreme (Act 14:8-18). III. The outrage of the people against Paul, at the instigation of the Jews, the effect of which was that they stoned him, as they thought, to death; but he was wonderfully restored to life (Act 14:19, Act 14:20). IV. The visit which Paul and Barnabas made to the churches which they had planted, to confirm them, and put them into order (Act 14:21-23). V. They return to Antioch, whence they were sent forth; the good they did by the way, and the report they made to the church of Antioch of their expedition, and, if I may so say, of the campaign they had made (Act 14:24-28).
Open source ↗14:4 The apostolic message required a decision about belief in Jesus, and opinion was clearly split. • Paul and Barnabas are called apostles for the first time (also in 14:14), extending the idea of apostleship beyond the Twelve. Their message was in continuity with that of the original apostles, and they were prepared to suffer hardship and persecution for it as the earlier apostles had done (5:41; 14:19; 20:24; 21:13-14; see also Rom 8:35-38; 2 Cor 4:8-17).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?