Updated on

Read Acts Chapter 14

Up and down arrows move from one verse to the next.

1And 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.

8And 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.

14Which 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.

19And 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.

You are readingKing James Version

Explanation

Acts 14

In short

Paul and Barnabas travel through cities telling people about Jesus. Some believe them, but enemies force them to flee. In one city, a healing miracle makes people mistake them for gods, but they explain they are ordinary men. After being attacked and left for dead, Paul recovers, and they return to strengthen the new churches before sailing home.

What the text says

At Iconium (verses 1-4), Paul and Barnabas speak in the synagogue and many Jews and Greeks believe. Unbelieving Jews turn the non-Jewish people against them, but the apostles stay long and speak boldly while God gives them power to do signs and wonders. The city splits into two sides.

When enemies plan to stone them (verses 5-7), they flee to Lystra and Derbe and continue preaching.

At Lystra (verses 8-18), Paul heals a man who has been unable to walk since birth. The crowd thinks the gods have come down to them. They call Barnabas "Jupiter" and Paul "Mercurius" because Paul spoke. The local priest brings oxen to sacrifice to them. Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes and run through the crowd telling people to stop, saying they are just men like them. They urge people to turn from idols to the living God who made everything and shows goodness through rain and harvests.

Enemies from other cities come and stone Paul, dragging him outside as if dead (verses 19-20). But he gets up, returns to the city, and leaves the next day with Barnabas.

They preach in Derbe, then travel back through the earlier cities, strengthening the disciples and telling them faith requires hardship (verses 21-22). They appoint leaders in each church and pray (verse 23). Then they travel to the coast and sail back to Antioch in Syria, where they report how God opened faith to non-Jews (verses 24-28).

Takeaways

  • Belief in Jesus brings both strong support and strong opposition in the same place.
  • People easily mistake signs and wonders for proof that powerful beings deserve worship.
  • The apostles treat hardship as normal and expected in following Jesus.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.