1Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium by the malice of the unbelieving Jews. 8At Lystra they heal an impotent man, and refuse divine honours with abhorrence. 19Paul is stoned at the instigation of the Jews, but escapeth alive with Barnabas to Derbe. 21Having passed through various places, and confirmed the churches in faith and patience, they return to Antioch, and give an account of their ministry.
1AND it came to pass in Iconium, that 1they went 2both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the 3Greeks believed.
1 Namely, Paul and Barnabas.
2 Or, at the same time; or, in like manner; as before, Acts 13:14.
3 Namely, who feared God and frequented the synagogues of the Jews, as may be seen in Acts 13:42, 43.
2But the 4unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds 5evil affecteda against the brethren.
4 Or, disobedient.
5 Or, made ill-willing, or ill-minded the hearts and minds.
a embitter.
36Long time therefore abode they speaking 7boldly in the Lord, whichb gave testimony 8unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done 9by their hands.
6 Namely, the better to confirm the minds of the faithful brethren against these embittered Jews and Gentiles, and to win yet more to Christ.
7 That is, speaking boldly in the Lord’s cause, or by the help of the Lord.
b Mark 16:20; Acts 19:11; Heb. 2:4.
8 That is, the Gospel, in which the grace of God is proclaimed and offered.
9 That is, by their means and ministry.
4But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with 10the apostles.
10 Namely, Paul and Barnabas, verse 14, who were also called by Christ to be apostles, as the other twelve. See 1 Cor. 9:5, 6.
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 warec of 11it, and fledd unto Lystra and Derbe, 12cities of 13Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
c aware*
11 Or, they saw this, made aware of it.
d Mat. 10:23; Acts 8:1.
12 That is, to the other cities of Lycaonia, deeper into the land. For, Iconium was also a city in Lycaonia.
13 This region was a part of Asia Minor, situated near Mount Taurus, about Phrygia.
7And there they preached the gospel.
8¶And there sat a certain man at Lystra, eimpotentf in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
e without strength, invalid.
f Acts 3:2.
9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and 14perceiving that he had 15faith 16to be healed,
14 Namely, Paul, that he, namely, the cripple.
15 Which he seems to have received by Paul’s preaching, and the miraculous healing of others. Paul saw the same in him, either by Divine inspiration, or by some signs which he perceived thereof in him.
16 Or, saved, delivered.
10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. Andg he leaped and walked.
g Isa. 35:6.
11And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, Theh gods are come down to us 17in the likeness of men.
h Acts 28:6.
17 Or, are become like unto men; as there are examples related thereof in the pagan histories or fables; which opinion seems to have sprung from some appearances of the angels made to the forefathers, which the pagans changed into fables.
12And they called Barnabas, 18Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
18 The pagans held him for their supreme god, and for the head of all their gods; as Mercury for the messenger and interpreter of their gods.
13Then the priest of Jupiter, 19which was before their city, brought oxen and 20garlands unto the 21gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
19 That is, whose temple, image, or altar, stood outside their city or in the suburb.
20 Namely, wherewith the Gentiles decorated the beasts, which they sacrificed unto their idols.
21 Or, portal, namely, of the house wherein Paul and Barnabas were lodged, to sacrifice unto them there.
14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they 22rent their clothes, and ran in among 23the people, crying out,
22 Namely, unto a sign of great displeasure and abhorrence, which they had of such idolatry. See Mat. 26:65.
23 Namely, who were come there before the door with the priest of Jupiter.
15And saying, Sirs, whyi do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these 24vanities unto the living God, whichj made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
i Acts 10:26; Rev. 19:10; 22:9.
24 That is, idols, which are nothing in themselves, 1 Cor. 8:4, and no gods, although they accounted them as such.
j Gen. 1:1; Psalm 33:6; 124:8; 146:6; Rev. 14:7.
16Whok in times past suffered all nations to walk 25in their own ways.
k Psalm 81:12.
25 That is, in the manner of doing, which they devised to themselves without and contrary to the Word of God.
17Neverthelessl he left not himself 26without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
l Rom. 1:19.
26 Namely, even amongst the heathen themselves, to whom He gave not His Word; Psalm 147:19, 20.
18And with these sayings scarce 27restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
27 Or, quieted.
19¶And there came thither certain Jews from 28Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, havingm stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
28 Namely, situated in Pisidia, whereof is spoken in Acts 13:14.
m 2 Cor. 11:25.
20Howbeit, as the disciples stood 29round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
29 Namely, either to bury him, or to deliver him from further violence of the persecutors.
21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and 30had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
30 Or, had made many disciples. See also Mat. 28:19.
22Confirming 31the souls of the disciples, andn exhorting them to continue in the faith, ando that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
31 Namely, who in their previous journey, in going through the cities, they had won to Christ.
n Acts 11:23; 13:43.
o Mat. 10:38; 16:24; Luke 24:26; 2 Tim. 3:12.
23And when they had 32ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
32 Gr. cheirotonesantes; of this word see Acts 10:41. As this was a custom among the Greeks in their choice of magistrates, that the people, by lifting up of their hands, gave to understand their voting, so it seems that from thence this custom was also used in the first church, that the setting forth of ministers of the church being done by the apostles, or those who were sent by them for this purpose, was approved by the church by lifting up their hands; which practice long continued in the church, as the ecclesiastical histories testify. Others think that thereby is understood the imposition of hands, which also was done with consent of the church, as appears by the fasting and praying, which was done by the whole congregation, and was also done in this election. Of the elders, see further in 1 Tim. 5:17.
24And after they had passed throughout 33Pisidia, they came to 34Pamphylia.
33 This was a region bordering on Cilicia.
34 This was a region bordering upon Isauria, which also bordered on Lycaonia, verse 6.
25And when they had preached the word in 35Perga, they went down into 36Attalia:
35 This was the capital city of Pamphylia, Acts 13:13.
36 This was a city situated not far from Perga, at the Mediterranean Sea.
26And thence sailed top37Antioch, from whence they had been recommended 38to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
p Acts 13:1.
37 Namely, which was situated in Syria. From which they were sent forth, and had begun this journey, Acts 13:4.
38 Namely, by fasting, prayer and imposition of hands, Acts 13:2, 3.
27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsedq all that God had done 39with them, and how he had opened 40the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
q report, declare*
39 That is, by them or by their ministry. See Acts 15:12.
40 That is, that not only the external word and miracles, but that also the operation of the Holy Ghost was imparted unto them, to be brought unto faith in Christ, 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Rev. 3:8.
28And there they abode long time with the disciples.