Chapter Fourteen
Paul and Barnabas at Iconium
14:1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
Being forced out of Antioch in Pisidia they traveled east to Iconium where they went to and entered the city’s synagogue. As a result of their teaching a large number of Jews and Gentiles believed in Jesus.
14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
As we begin to see a pattern emerging, they preach, followed by many accepting Jesus as their Savior, and then the “tide turns,” and things get ugly fast. Here again a great number of people believed their message, but the Jews that rejected the truth were able to persuade some of the Gentiles that what these men were preaching was all wrong and should not be listened to. But that didn’t intimidate Paul and Barnabas as they stayed there for a long time, speaking all the more boldly and offered signs and wonders to prove that what they were saying was indeed true.
14:4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Luke tells us that the people of Iconium were divided as to whether or not to believe, but those that were against them were able to rile the leaders of the city to not only mistreat them, but also attempt (Greek hormē, referring to a motion towards an object, such as a mob moving towards them) to stone them. When they heard about the plot, they quickly left the city. They headed south to Lystra and Derbe, both in the region of Lycaonia and in the Roman province of Galatia. Again, they were not intimidated and continued to preach the gospel.
Considerations
Why Did the Jews Reject Jesus?
Jesus was rejected by the Jews in the first century for a number of reasons, although from our perspective today it appears that even though they had tremendous familiarity with Scripture and prophecy they were either not able to recognize fulfillment or were misled. It seems that the primary responsibility for that misleading was Jerusalem’s religious leadership. The people living in Jerusalem were the first to reject Jesus and his message; they were influenced by their religious leaders, who urged the crowds to condemn Jesus. More specifically, the so-called experts of Scripture (the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, priests, etc.) failed completely to understand its teaching, and had they done so, they would have recognized Jesus as the Messiah.
Interestingly, and certainly paradoxically, their rejection fulfilled the very prophecies they should have understood. The prophets foretold that the Messiah would suffer, die, and yet be the savior of His people, making Jesus, who died a shameful death, their substitute. For example, Isaiah foresaw that Messiah would be “despised and forsaken of men,” (see Isaiah 53:3) and they hated Jesus without cause, finding no legitimate ground for his execution, yet forcibly requested it from Roman authority which was granted.
The following are other potential reasons the Jews at that time rejected Jesus’ and the apostles’ teachings. This is not an exhaustive list, some topics overlap, and they are not presented in any particular order:
Regarding the leadership jealousy, they were potentially jealous because salvation through Jesus would mean everything they worked for their whole life would be essentially meaningless and they would likely lose their positions of honor and influence. Plus, it has been hundreds of years since God made any contact with humanity and now He is seemingly interacting with this new “anti-Torah” compliant group of people.
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra
14:8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
Likely in or near the marketplace of the city, Paul began to preach. Luke tells us that there was a man who had never walked, as he had been disabled from birth, listening to Paul, who was looking back at the man. Paul saw something that made him believe that he had faith to be healed. The text does not offer an explanation as to what Paul saw, nor does it elaborate as to what he had faith in. But since faith by itself does not have the ability to heal, as that can only come from God, and since Jesus was being preached about, the faith Paul noted would have been in Jesus.
14:10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
Paul loudly proclaimed, “Stand upright on your feet,” and the man immediately got up and started to walk. The crowd, who all were likely familiar with the man’s disability, with their voices raised in their native tongue (Lycaonian is believed to have been related to a ancient Anatolian dialect some suggest it may have been similar to the language of the Hittites), “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” They called Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul was called Hermes, the herald of the gods, as Paul did most of the talking. Since the mindset of most pagan worshiping people associate supernatural to whatever gods and goddesses they worship, this type of misunderstanding may have been fairly common among the early evangelists.
14:13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
This revelation caused a major stir among the people, the local priest of Zeus brought oxen and garlands (wreaths used in pagan sacrificial rites) to the gates of the city so he and the people of the city could offer a sacrifice.
14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
When Paul and Barnabas heard what the people were planning on doing they tore their garments (a sign of grief) and ran to the crowd and tried to explain that they were just human beings like them. That they were there to bring them good news, that they should stop pursuing worthless things but instead turn to a living God, the Creator of all things. Paul notes that in the past God permitted people to follow their own path, yet He still gave rain and provided fruitful seasons. But the crowd apparently wasn’t listening as Paul’s attempt to stop them failed.
Considerations
Difficulties in Evangelizing to Pagan People
There were two primary issues that plagued anyone who attempted to preach the gospel message to those who worshiped various gods, goddesses, or any false deity. The first is like what happened here, the people can only see those things that they believe to be supernatural (things they do not understand, which changes as knowledge of how things work become evident) are only perceived as being in the realm of their pantheon (the collection of deities typically unique to their culture or religion). When Paul called on God to heal the man, the audience could only relate to their gods, therefore in their minds Paul and Barnabas must be gods visiting them incognito.
The second primary concern when speaking to people that worship false deities is that they are may be open to hear about another one, but would reject the idea that there is only one God. Instead of dropping their multi-god beliefs they add Jesus to their pantheon of many gods This amalgamation (merging) of different cultural beliefs or religions is known as syncretism. Which is not limited to the ancient world. There are many cultures and people today who have combined their understanding of Jesus with their cultural religious rituals (for example some on their way home from church will offer sacrifices to idols or to other false deities). Syncretism can also be found within Christian groups as some essential doctrine can be compromised in the attempt to merge two or more groups for what they believe to be necessary for survival, that is a lie from the devil!
Paul Stoned at Lystra
14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Without much details Luke casually adds, “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium.” If you are like most readers, you’re probably wondering, “What just happened?” First Barnabas and Paul are being revered and the next minute a mob moves in and begin to stone Paul. Antioch was 98 miles away and Iconium was 18 miles away, that would require someone with a lot of hatred resolve! All we are told is that these Jews showed up and persuaded the people of Lystra to turn against Barnabas and Paul, resulting in them stoning Paul. There are many who believe that Paul died here and was resurrected, however, the text does not support that conclusion. If he died why would Luke use the word ’supposing’, that tells us he was still alive. Although he was miraculously mended and healed from his wounds.
14:20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
The disciples that were traveling with Paul came out to retrieve him. He got up and soon he and Barnabas were on their way to Derbe approximately 40 miles away.
14:21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Barnabas and Paul preached the gospel in Derbe and several became disciples of Jesus. Derbe was the end point for this first missionary journey. They proceeded back the same route they came and when they arrived at Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, they strengthened the believers by encouraging them to continue in the faith and informing them that even though they will experience tribulation (Greek thlipseōn, pressure, distress, persecution) they will indeed enter the kingdom of God. Some versions state words like ‘must’ (as we see here), or ‘necessary’, the Greek is dei, which means inevitable, not an absolute. While at each location, with prayer and fasting, they appointed elders and committed them over to the care of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas Return Home to Antioch in Syria
14:24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.
They continue to backtrack through the regions of Pisidia and Pamphylia they stop once again in Perga to preach the Word of God and then proceeded to the coastal city Attalia where they sailed to Antioch of Syria directly (probably through Seleucia, but they did not return through the island of Cyprus).
14:27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
When Paul and Barnabas arrived back to Antioch, they called the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles too. Luke adds that they stayed with the believers in Antioch for a long time.