Acts 14:1-18 Lesson 252

Acts 14:1-18
Lesson 252

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

The First Missionary Journey continues.

Fleeing Iconium for Lystra and Derbe.

Paul healing the man at Lystra.

By the Dutch Golden Age artist Karel Dujardin (1626-1678).

Where was -

Lystra -
Timothy's hometown, Lystra, was a small Roman city in Asia Minor located eighteen miles southwest of Iconium. Paul preached the Gospel, healed a lame man (Acts 14:8-10), and converted many people in Lystra, including Timothy. After Paul healed a lame man, many thought he was the pagan God Mercury and Barnabas was Jupiter, and they tried to worship them (Acts 14:12-18). Later, the Jews who drove Paul and Barnabas out of Antioch and Iconium arrived in Lystra and stoned Paul, leaving him for dead (Acts 4:19; 2 Timothy 3:11). Paul survived, went to Derbe, but soon returned (Acts 14:21).

Derbe -
Derbe is a small city at the foot of Mount Taurus in the Province of Lycaonia. It is about thirty miles southeast of Lystra and seventy-eight miles from Iconium. Paul and Barnabas gained numerous believers in Derbe. Many of them later struggled with false notions of Christianity. In AD 49, Paul wrote "The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians" to these Christians and others to repudiate the false concept that Gentile believers had to conform to Jewish law before converting to Christianity.

Study Tip:

"In Bible reading, we need to watch ourselves very closely, lest our thoughts wander, and our reading become perfunctory and meaningless. We must determine resolutely to keep our minds on what we are reading, doing our best to form an intelligent conception of it, and being on the lookout for lessons for ourselves."

Henry Hampton Halley, minister and religious writer (1874-1965).

The Acts of the Apostles

The King James Bible

Acts 14:1-18
Success and danger in Iconium

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.

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,

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.

12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

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.

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.

Margin notes:

"It came to pass in Iconium." (14:1) - Paul and Barnabas walked eighteen miles from Antioch to Iconium. Remember, they were run out of Antioch in verse 13:51 (lesson 251).

"Made their minds evil affected against the brethren." (14:2) - Means, "Poisoned their minds against Paul and Barnabas."

"Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly." (14:3) - Due to their success in making converts, Paul and Barnabas extended their stay in Iconium.

"Granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." (14:3) - God gave Paul and Barnabas the ability to perform Jesus-like miracles (Mark 16:20).

"The multitude of the city was divided." (14:4) - Paul and Barnabas met believers and skeptics everywhere they went (Acts 28:24).

"Apostles." (14:4) - Until now, Luke (the author of Acts) only used the name "apostles" when referring to the original twelve disciples. Now it describes all believers.

"They were ware of it, and fled." (14:6) - "They were aware of it and fled." Jesus warned them to flee if persecuted (Matthew 10:23).

"Stedfastly beholding him." (14:9) - Peter also stared at the lame man he healed in verse 3:4 (lesson 223).

"In the speech of Lycaonia." (14:11) - "In the language of Lycaonia."

"They called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius." (14:12) - Pagan's believed that the gods Jupiter and Mercurius (Mercury) had once visited Lystra disguised as poor travelers. Only an elderly man and woman showed them kindness and were spared when floodwaters drowned everyone in the city.  After Paul and Barnabas healed the "crippled" man, the people treated them like gods so as not to make that "mistake" again.

"Brought oxen." (14:13) - Oxen were the usual sacrifice pagans offered up to Jupiter and Mercury. They now plan to sacrifice them to Paul and Barnabas.

"Garlands." (14:13) - "Wreaths."

"They rent their clothes." (14:14) - "They tore their clothes." Tearing at one's clothes was a sign of disgust or utter despair (Matthew 26:65; Mark 15:63).

"We also are men of like passions with you." (14:15) - "We are men (not gods) just like you."

"Ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God." (14:15) - "You should turn away from these false gods and turn to the living God."

"The living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein." (14:15) - See Exodus 20:11 and Psalm 146:6.

"Suffered all nations to walk in their own ways." (14:16) - See "Today's Question" below.

"He left not himself without witness." (14:17) - Meaning, the universe and everything in it bears witness to God's power.

"These sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them." (14:18) - "Their words barely stopped the people from offering a sacrifice to them."

New Living Translation

Acts 14:1-18
Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

1 The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers.

2 Some of the Jews, however, spurned God's message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas.

3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.

4 But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

5 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them.

6 When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia-to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area.

7 And there they preached the Good News.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe

8 While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting

9 and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed.

10 So Paul called to him in a loud voice, "Stand up!" And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.

11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, "These men are gods in human form!"

12 They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.

13 Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting,

15 "Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings-just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.

16 In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways,

17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts."

18 But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them. So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you."

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. What does God "suffered all nations to walk in their own ways" mean? (14:16)

"No one can come to God, except through the Holy Spirit."

Harold Ihlefeldt (1920-1971)

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Before the birth of Christ, God "suffered all nations" (allowed all Gentiles) their own religious beliefs. Not because He was indifferent to their inevitable idolatries, but because he was biding His time. God gave the Jewish people the law of Moses (Mosaic Law), but Gentiles were left to form their own religions, until Jesus.

Application thought for the day:

Time after time, we see Jesus and his apostles perform miracles. Yet many eyewitnesses still refused to believe. If a miracle can't convince a hardened heart, don't be discouraged if some people refuse to share your faith. The job of Christians is to spread the good news of salvation through words and actions. God will reveal Himself to each person based on their spirit and desire to learn.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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