Acts 14

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 14

1¶ 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.

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

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.

8¶ And 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.

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.

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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

28And there they abode long time with the disciples.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas preached, leading to many conversions but also opposition, forcing them to flee to Lystra. There, Paul healed a lame man, causing the people to mistake them for gods, which the apostles vehemently rejected, pointing to the living God. Despite being stoned and left for dead by hostile Jews, Paul miraculously recovered. He and Barnabas then revisited the churches, confirming disciples and ordaining elders before returning to Antioch to report their mission.

Medium Summary

Paul and Barnabas began their ministry in Iconium, where their preaching led to many Jews and Greeks believing, but also incited opposition from unbelieving Jews. After a planned assault to stone them, they fled to Lystra and Derbe, continuing to preach the gospel. In Lystra, Paul miraculously healed a man lame from birth, prompting the local populace to declare them gods, calling Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercurius. The apostles vehemently rejected this idolatry, tearing their clothes and proclaiming the one living God, the Creator. Subsequently, Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, swayed the crowd, and stoned Paul, leaving him for dead outside the city. Miraculously, Paul revived and, after departing to Derbe, he and Barnabas retraced their steps through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the new disciples and ordaining elders in each church. Their journey concluded with their return to Antioch in Syria, where they reported God's work and the opening of faith to the Gentiles.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with Paul and Barnabas ministering in Iconium, where their bold preaching in the synagogue resulted in a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believing the word of grace, attested by signs and wonders. However, unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, creating division and hostility against the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Jews and Gentiles, with their rulers, to stone them, Paul and Barnabas became aware of the plot and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe, where they continued to preach the gospel. In Lystra, Paul encountered a man lame from birth, and perceiving his faith, commanded him to stand, whereupon the man leaped and walked. Witnessing this miracle, the local people, speaking in Lycaonian, declared Paul and Barnabas to be gods descended in human form, identifying Barnabas as Jupiter and Paul as Mercurius. The priest of Jupiter prepared to offer sacrifices to them, but the apostles, upon hearing of it, rent their clothes and rushed into the crowd, vehemently denying their divinity. They exhorted the people to turn from these "vanities" to the living God, the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, who provides rain and fruitful seasons. With great difficulty, they restrained the people from offering sacrifice. Later, Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, persuaded the Lystran populace, and stoned Paul, dragging him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. Yet, as the disciples gathered around him, Paul rose up and re-entered the city, departing the next day with Barnabas to Derbe. After preaching the gospel and teaching many in Derbe, they began their return journey, revisiting Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Pisidia. In these cities, they confirmed the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith and reminding them that "through much tribulation" they must enter the kingdom of God. They also ordained elders in every church, commending them to the Lord with prayer and fasting. Passing through Pisidia to Pamphylia, they preached in Perga and then sailed from Attalia back to Antioch in Syria, their original sending church. Upon their arrival, they gathered the church and reported all that God had done with them, specifically highlighting how He had "opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles," before abiding there for a long time with the disciples.

Core Concepts

  • Divine AttestationGod bore witness to the apostles' preaching through "signs and wonders," confirming the truth of the gospel message and demonstrating His power through their hands.
  • Persecution and FlightThe apostles faced intense opposition and threats of violence, including a planned stoning in Iconium and an actual stoning in Lystra, which often led them to flee to new cities to continue their ministry.
  • Healing MiraclesPaul performed a notable miracle by healing a man lame from birth in Lystra, demonstrating divine power and drawing significant attention from the local populace.
  • Rejection of IdolatryPaul and Barnabas vehemently refused to accept worship from the Lystrans, tearing their clothes and redirecting their attention from "these vanities" to the one living God, the Creator of all things.
  • Suffering for the GospelPaul's stoning and subsequent recovery exemplify the physical dangers and tribulations faced by early missionaries for their faith, yet also God's sustaining power.
  • Confirmation and OrdinationThe apostles revisited new churches to strengthen disciples in their faith and establish leadership by ordaining elders in every church, ensuring ongoing spiritual guidance and order.
  • Gentile InclusionA key theme highlighted upon their return to Antioch was God's opening of "the door of faith unto the Gentiles," signifying a major expansion of the early church beyond Jewish communities.