Acts 14 Commentary

Driven out of Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas preach in the synagogue of Iconium. Many Jews and Gentiles hear and believe in Jesus. But some of the Jews are hostile and do not believe. They sow hatred in the hearts of some of the Gentiles in Iconium, and although Paul and Barnabas are able to perform miracles and preach for a long time, eventually they leave town to escape a plot to stone them to death.

God heals a man born lame through Paul. The people of Lystra misinterpret the healing as evidence that Paul and Barnabas are Greek gods who are visiting them.

The local priest of Zeus brings oxen to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, because Paul healed a lame man by God’s power. Paul and Barnabas tear their robes and preach against this mistake. They explain that they serve the living God who created everything. God allowed the Gentiles to stray for some time, but He was still active in blessing their wellbeing. Their words do not seem to sink in, but they are able to, with difficulty, prevent the people of Lystra from sacrificing cows to them.

The enemies of Paul and Barnabas have been coalescing and colluding. Jews from Pisidian Antioch have joined with Jews from Iconium. This mob arrives in Lystra, stirs up hatred in the crowds, and successfully stones Paul. The mob thinks he is dead and leaves his body outside of the city. But believers find his body, and Paul stands up, alive, and returns to the city. Barnabas and Paul preach in a neighboring city, Derbe, and then backtrack through the churches they have planted. They establish a group of men to lead as elders over each church, and encourage all the new believers to endure suffering by trusting in God.

Paul and Barnabas return to their home church of Syrian Antioch. They tell the church about all that God had accomplished through them, the miracles and the many Jews and Gentiles who believed in Jesus. God is reaching the Gentiles. The gospel is for the entire world.