Acts 14

Acts 14

The big picture

Acts 14 opens in verse 1 with “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 14 with “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran…”, and closes in verse 28 with “And there they abode long time with the disciples.” Repeated or prominent terms include Jews, city, Paul, people, Antioch. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Acts · King James Version · 28

Acts 14:1-7

1–7: It came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the…

Acts 14:1–7 opens with “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and…” and reaches “And there they preached the gospel.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 14 develops its own movement around Jews, city, Paul, people, Antioch, with particular weight carried by Jews, both, Gentiles.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.” Naming Gentiles and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Acts 14:1-7

King James Version

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.

Acts 14:8-14

8–14: There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple…

Acts 14:8–14 opens with “And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s…” and reaches “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 14 develops its own movement around Jews, city, Paul, people, Antioch, with particular weight carried by Paul, people, Barnabas.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had…” Naming Lystra keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Acts 14:8-14

King James Version

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,

Acts 14:15-21

15–21: Saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions…

Acts 14:15–21 opens with “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach…” and reaches “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 14 develops its own movement around Jews, city, Paul, people, Antioch, with particular weight carried by city, Antioch, heaven.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.” The line’s distinctive content terms include nations, past, suffered. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

Acts 14:15-21

King James Version

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,

Acts 14:22-28

22–28: Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in…

Acts 14:22–28 opens with “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we…” and reaches “And there they abode long time with the disciples.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 14 develops its own movement around Jews, city, Paul, people, Antioch, with particular weight carried by church, disciples, faith.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

Acts 14:22-28

King James Version

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.

Details worth noticing

28verses in this reading
4major movements
3verses with speech
1questions in the KJV text

The opening image

Acts 14:1 begins with “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…”

Where the chapter turns

Acts 14:13 forms a natural hinge: “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.”

The final note

Acts 14:28 leaves the reader with “And there they abode long time with the disciples.”

A word trail through the chapter

The words Jews, city, Paul, people, Antioch, Barnabas help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

What contrasts the two royal encounters?

Melchizedek blesses God as the source of victory; Abram refuses a financial arrangement that would let Sodom claim credit for his wealth.

How does Abram treat Lot after their separation?

He risks resources to rescue him rather than treating earlier disagreement as a reason for abandonment.

KJV words made clear

unto
to
thy
your
spake
spoke

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.