Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Acts 14
Iconium: Trust and Opposition
In Iconium Paul and Barnabas entered the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way that a large number of both Jewish and Greek people trusted. But the Jewish people who refused to trust stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers and sisters. So Paul and Barnabas stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders through their hands. The people of the city were divided: some sided with the Jewish community and others with the apostles. When both Gentiles and Jewish opponents, together with their rulers, made an attempt to mistreat and stone them, Paul and Barnabas learned about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region. There they continued announcing the good news.
Lystra: From Healing to Attempted Worship
In Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet. He had been unable to walk from birth and had never walked. He listened as Paul spoke. Paul looked intently at him, saw that he had faith to be healed, and said loudly, “Stand upright on your feet!” The man jumped up and began walking. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” They called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes because Paul was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they tore their clothes, rushed into the crowd, and shouted, “People, why are you doing these things? We are human beings just like you! We are announcing good news to you so that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven, earth, sea, and everything in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways, yet he did not leave himself without witness. He did good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling you with food and your hearts with gladness.” Even with these words they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.
Paul Is Stoned and Returns
But Jewish opponents came from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But when the disciples gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Strengthening the New Churches
After announcing the good news in that city and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain in the faith. They said, “We must enter God’s kingdom through many hardships.” They appointed elders for them in every church. With prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had trusted. Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. After speaking the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to God’s grace for the work they had now completed. When they arrived, they gathered the church and reported everything God had done with them and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. They stayed with the disciples for a considerable time.