Acts 14.1-28 tells us about the concluding events of Paul’s first missionary journey; certain opposition to it; healing of a lame man and an attempt by the crowd to declare Paul and Barnabas Greek “gods”; and the persecution that followed; the return to Antioch in Syria and Paul and Barnabas continuing to work along the way until they arrive.
v 1…And it came about that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews (as was their custom) together, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude believed, both of Jews and Greeks (non-Jewish God-fearers).
v 2…But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the mind (spirit, intentions, emotions, thoughts, desires) of the Gentiles (the pagans there) and embittered them against the brethren (Paul, Barnabas and others).
v 3…Therefore they spent a long time (it takes time to refute wrong doctrine) speaking boldly upon the Lord, who were bearing witness to the word (to call attention to it) of his grace (as found in the Tanak), granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands (the purpose of a miracle is to draw attention to what is being taught-Deut 13.1-5).
v 4…But the multitude of the city was divided (in their opinions about Paul and Barnabas, and their doctrine; but God is not a God of confusion-1 Cor 14.32), and some sided with the Jews (who won’t believe), and some with the shaliachim (sent ones who do believe).
v 5…And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them,
v 6…they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe (they had the good sense to leave), and the surrounding region;
v 7…and there they continued to preach the basar (their primary business).
v 8…And at Lystra there was sitting a certain man, without strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked (this is mentioned to show his status as incurable by man’s standards).
v 9…this man was listening to Paul as he spoke (had ears to hear), who, when he (Paul) had fixed his gaze upon him, and had seen that he had faith to be made well (by his gestures and demeanor),
v 10…said with a loud voice (so all could hear), “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.
v 11…And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us (natural man cannot discern Yehovah).”
v 12…And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker (the word “hermeneutics” comes from this).
v 13…And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds (to Paul and Barnabas as two gods).
v 14…But when the shaliachim, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,
v 15…and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things (saying they were gods and attempting to offer sacrifices)? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the basar to you in order 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.
v 16…And in the generations gone by he permitted all the nations to go their own ways (of superstition and ignorant idolatry);
v 17…and yet he did not leave himself without witness (his grace was demonstrated before Yeshua-Rom 3.25; Exo 33.12; Neh 9.30), in that he did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
v 18…And saying these things they with difficulty restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them (Paul and Barnabas scattered and broke up the crowd eventually).
v 19…But Jews came from Antioch (in Pisidia) and Iconium (regions Paul had reached before) and having won over the multitudes (by persuading them), they stoned Paul (2 Cor 11.25) and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead (he was unconscious).
v 20…But while the talmidim stood around him (believers who feared that he was dead and were deciding where to bury him), he arose and entered the city (he went back). And the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe (evidently Barnabas escaped the stoning).
v 21…And after they had preached the basar to that city and had made many talmidim, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch (where they had already been),
v 22…strengthening the souls of the talmidim, encouraging them to continue in the faith (the body of doctrinal truth; a Torah-based faith in Yeshua) and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (God’s movement and rule in action and power).”
v 23…And when they had appointed (not elected by the people) for them in every kahal (assembly), having prayed with fasting (to find out who would be appointed by the Ruach Ha Kodesh), they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed (put them into his care and providence).
v 24…And they passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia (Asia Minor coast).
v 25…And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,
v 26…and from there they sailed to Antioch (of Syria), from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished (where they had first set out-Acts 13.1-3).
v 27…And when they had arrived and gathered the kahal (assembly) together, they began to report all the things that God had done for them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles (to other nations without becoming Jews first by ritual circumcision).
v 28…And they spent a long time with the talmidim (an extended time, perhaps several years).
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