Acts Chapter 14 — Paul and Barnabas in Lycaonia

Paul and Barnabas face both success and persecution as they preach in Iconium and Lystra, including the healing of a lame man and the stoning of Paul.

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1In Iconium, they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.

2But the disbelieving*or, disobedient Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.

3Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews and part with the apostles.

5When some of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to mistreat and stone them,

6they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.

7There they preached the Good News.

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

9He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,

10said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” He leaped up and walked.

11When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”

12They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker.

13The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.

14But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes and sprang into the multitude, crying out,

15“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of the same nature as you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;

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

17Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you†TR reads “us” instead of “you” rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

18Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them.

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

20But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.

21When they had preached the Good News to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

22strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.

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

24They passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

25When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.

27When they had arrived and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.

28They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.

WEB Translation

Notable Verses

Acts 14:15

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of the same nature as you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;"

This verse shows Paul's commitment to steering people away from idolatry toward the Creator.

Acts 14:22

...strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.

It highlights the reality of hardship in the Christian life and the importance of perseverance.

Acts 14:27

When they had arrived and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.

This verse summarizes the success of the first missionary journey and the expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles.

Chapter Summary

In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas continue their missionary journey in Iconium, where their preaching leads many to believe but also stirs up opposition, eventually forcing them to flee to Lystra and Derbe. In Lystra, Paul heals a man who had been crippled from birth. Seeing this miracle, the local crowds mistake the apostles for the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes and attempt to offer sacrifices to them. Paul and Barnabas urgently correct the crowd, urging them to turn toward the one true living God. However, opponents from Antioch and Iconium arrive and turn the crowd against Paul, leading to him being stoned and left for dead. Remarkably, he survives and travels to Derbe the next day. After preaching there, the apostles revisit the cities they previously visited to strengthen the new disciples and appoint elders in every church before returning to Antioch in Syria to report on how God had opened a door of faith to the nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

After Paul healed a man crippled from birth, the crowd was so amazed that they believed the gods Jupiter (Zeus) and Mercury (Hermes) had come down in human form. The priest of Jupiter even prepared to offer animal sacrifices to them before the apostles intervened.

Opponents from Antioch and Iconium persuaded the local crowds to stone Paul. He was dragged out of the city and left for dead, but he rose up when the disciples gathered around him and returned to the city.

On their return trip through the cities they had visited, they appointed elders in every assembly. They accompanied these appointments with prayer and fasting, commending the leaders to the Lord.

Study Note

The reference to Barnabas as 'Jupiter' and Paul as 'Mercury' reflects local Lycaonian folklore, which included legends of these specific gods visiting the region in disguise.

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