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.
2.
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
3.
Long 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.
Verse 3
Boldly in the Lord; through confidence in the Lord.--Gave testimony; by enabling them to perform miracles.
4.
But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5.
And 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,
Verse 5
An assault; a movement; that is, a plan arranged.
6.
They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7.
And 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:
9.
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10.
Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11.
And 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.
Verse 11
In the speech of Lycaonia; which it appears Paul did not understand; so that he was not aware of their design until they had, in part, carried it into effect.
12.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Verse 12
Jupiter--Mercurius; prominent deities worshipped in those times. Jupiter was the supreme god, and Mercury the god of eloquence,--the attendant and messenger of Jupiter.
13.
Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Verse 13
Gates; the gates or doors of the building in which the apostles then were.
Acts 14:16,Acts 14:17. That is, he left them to themselves, without any special revelation; while yet there was sufficient evidence of his existence and character, in the visible creation, if they had been disposed to be guided by it.
14.
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15.
And 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:
16.
Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17.
Nevertheless 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.
18.
And 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.
Verse 19
Who persuaded the people; not necessarily the same individuals as those who had been ready to regard the apostles as gods. It is very probable that there was a suppressed and secret hostility before, which the influence of these Jews concentrated, and strengthened, and brought out into action, while the others withdrew. And generally, in fact, the fluctuations of the popular will, so proverbial for their frequency and suddenness, arise not from reversals of opinion in the same parties, but from alternations of ascendency, in respect to opposite and contending ones. In our Savior's case, for example, when the populace shouted "Hosanna" on one day, and "Crucify him" on another, we are not necessarily to suppose that the same individuals were changed from friends to enemies, but only that friends were predominant while he was entering Jerusalem in triumph, and enemies when he was brought in as a criminal. Very slight circumstances are sometimes sufficient, in such cases, to turn the scale,--to throw one party, hitherto prominent, into discouragement and inaction, and to bring up another, hitherto overawed and restrained, to ascendency and power.
20.
Howbeit, 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.
21.
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Verse 21
Lystra, &c.; the very cities from which they had just been expelled.
22.
Confirming 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.
Verse 22
Through much tribulation; referring to the exposure and suffering which they had just been called to endure.
23.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Verse 23
Ordained them elders; instituted officers with such duties and powers as the circumstances here required. Ordaining them was inducting them to office, as in Acts 6:6, where the designation of the individuals had been previously made by the church. In this case, it is not stated how the individuals were designated. There has been a great deal of discussion, between different branches of the modern church, on the question whether religious teachers ought to be elected by the church, or appointed by superior ecclesiastical officers. We should have supposed that, if it had been intended that either practice should be considered an essential feature in the future administration of the church, the mode in this, and in other similar cases, would have been distinctly specified.
24.
And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25.
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
26.
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
Verse 26
From whence they had been recommended, &c.; as related Acts 13:1-4.
27.
And 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.
28.
And there they abode long time with the disciples.