1εγενετοG1096{V-2ADI-3S} δεG1161{CONJ} ενG1722{PREP} ικονιωG2430{N-DSN} καταG2596{PREP} τοG3588{T-ASN} αυτοG846{P-ASN} εισελθεινG1525{V-2AAN} αυτουςG846{P-APM} ειςG1519{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} συναγωγηνG4864{N-ASF} τωνG3588{T-GPM} ιουδαιωνG2453{A-GPM} καιG2532{CONJ} λαλησαιG2980{V-AAN} ουτωςG3779{ADV} ωστεG5620{CONJ} πιστευσαιG4100{V-AAN} ιουδαιωνG2453{A-GPM} τεG5037{PRT} καιG2532{CONJ} ελληνωνG1672{N-GPM} πολυG4183{A-ASN} πληθοςG4128{N-ASN} 2οιG3588{T-NPM} δεG1161{CONJ} ααπειθησαντεςG544{V-AAP-NPM} τσβαπειθουντεςG544{V-PAP-NPM} ιουδαιοιG2453{A-NPM} επηγειρανG1892{V-AAI-3P} καιG2532{CONJ} εκακωσανG2559{V-AAI-3P} ταςG3588{T-APF} ψυχαςG5590{N-APF} τωνG3588{T-GPN} εθνωνG1484{N-GPN} καταG2596{PREP} τωνG3588{T-GPM} αδελφωνG80{N-GPM} 3ικανονG2425{A-ASM} μενG3303{PRT} ουνG3767{CONJ} χρονονG5550{N-ASM} διετριψανG1304{V-AAI-3P} παρρησιαζομενοιG3955{V-PNP-NPM} επιG1909{PREP} τωG3588{T-DSM} κυριωG2962{N-DSM} τωG3588{T-DSM} μαρτυρουντιG3140{V-PAP-DSM} α[επι]G1909{PREP} τωG3588{T-DSM} λογωG3056{N-DSM} τηςG3588{T-GSF} χαριτοςG5485{N-GSF} αυτουG846{P-GSM} τσκαιG2532{CONJ} διδοντιG1325{V-PAP-DSM} σημειαG4592{N-APN} καιG2532{CONJ} τεραταG5059{N-APN} γινεσθαιG1096{V-PNN} διαG1223{PREP} τωνG3588{T-GPF} χειρωνG5495{N-GPF} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} 4εσχισθηG4977{V-API-3S} δεG1161{CONJ} τοG3588{T-NSN} πληθοςG4128{N-NSN} τηςG3588{T-GSF} πολεωςG4172{N-GSF} καιG2532{CONJ} οιG3588{T-NPM} μενG3303{PRT} ησανG2258{V-IXI-3P} συνG4862{PREP} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} ιουδαιοιςG2453{A-DPM} οιG3588{T-NPM} δεG1161{CONJ} συνG4862{PREP} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} αποστολοιςG652{N-DPM} 5ωςG5613{ADV} δεG1161{CONJ} εγενετοG1096{V-2ADI-3S} ορμηG3730{N-NSF} τωνG3588{T-GPN} εθνωνG1484{N-GPN} τεG5037{PRT} καιG2532{CONJ} ιουδαιωνG2453{A-GPM} συνG4862{PREP} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} αρχουσινG758{N-DPM} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} υβρισαιG5195{V-AAN} καιG2532{CONJ} λιθοβολησαιG3036{V-AAN} αυτουςG846{P-APM} 6συνιδοντεςG4894{V-2AAP-NPM} κατεφυγονG2703{V-2AAI-3P} ειςG1519{PREP} ταςG3588{T-APF} πολειςG4172{N-APF} τηςG3588{T-GSF} λυκαονιαςG3071{N-GSF} λυστρανG3082{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} δερβηνG1191{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} τηνG3588{T-ASF} περιχωρονG4066{A-ASF} 7κακειG2546{ADV-C} τσβησανG2258{V-IXI-3P} ευαγγελιζομενοιG2097{V-PMP-NPM} αησανG2258{V-IXI-3P} 8καιG2532{CONJ} τιςG5100{X-NSM} ανηρG435{N-NSM} ααδυνατοςG102{A-NSM} ενG1722{PREP} λυστροιςG3082{N-DPN} τσβαδυνατοςG102{A-NSM} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} ποσινG4228{N-DPM} εκαθητοG2521{V-INI-3S} χωλοςG5560{A-NSM} εκG1537{PREP} κοιλιαςG2836{N-GSF} μητροςG3384{N-GSF} αυτουG846{P-GSM} τσβυπαρχωνG5225{V-PAP-NSM} οςG3739{R-NSM} ουδεποτεG3763{ADV} απεριεπατησενG4043{V-AAI-3S} σπεριεπεπατηκειG4043{V-LAI-3S} βτπεριπεπατηκειG4043{V-LAI-3S} 9ουτοςG3778{D-NSM} αβηκουσενG191{V-AAI-3S} τσηκουενG191{V-IAI-3S} τουG3588{T-GSM} παυλουG3972{N-GSM} λαλουντοςG2980{V-PAP-GSM} οςG3739{R-NSM} ατενισαςG816{V-AAP-NSM} αυτωG846{P-DSM} καιG2532{CONJ} ιδωνG1492{V-2AAP-NSM} οτιG3754{CONJ} τσβπιστινG4102{N-ASF} εχειG2192{V-PAI-3S} απιστινG4102{N-ASF} τουG3588{T-GSM} σωθηναιG4982{V-APN} 10ειπενG2036{V-2AAI-3S} μεγαληG3173{A-DSF} τσβτηG3588{T-DSF} φωνηG5456{N-DSF} αναστηθιG450{V-2AAM-2S} επιG1909{PREP} τουςG3588{T-APM} ποδαςG4228{N-APM} σουG4675{P-2GS} βορθωςG3723{ADV} ατσορθοςG3717{A-NSM} καιG2532{CONJ} αηλατοG242{V-ADI-3S} τσβηλλετοG242{V-INI-3S} καιG2532{CONJ} περιεπατειG4043{V-IAI-3S} 11οιG3588{T-NPM} ατεG5037{PRT} τσβδεG1161{CONJ} οχλοιG3793{N-NPM} ιδοντεςG1492{V-2AAP-NPM} οG3739{R-ASN} εποιησενG4160{V-AAI-3S} τσβοG3588{T-NSM} παυλοςG3972{N-NSM} επηρανG1869{V-AAI-3P} τηνG3588{T-ASF} φωνηνG5456{N-ASF} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} λυκαονιστιG3072{ADV} λεγοντεςG3004{V-PAP-NPM} οιG3588{T-NPM} θεοιG2316{N-NPM} ομοιωθεντεςG3666{V-APP-NPM} ανθρωποιςG444{N-DPM} κατεβησανG2597{V-2AAI-3P} προςG4314{PREP} ημαςG2248{P-1AP} 12εκαλουνG2564{V-IAI-3P} τεG5037{PRT} τονG3588{T-ASM} τσβμενG3303{PRT} βαρναβανG921{N-ASM} διαG2203{N-ASM} τονG3588{T-ASM} δεG1161{CONJ} παυλονG3972{N-ASM} ερμηνG2060{N-ASM} επειδηG1894{CONJ} αυτοςG846{P-NSM} ηνG2258{V-IXI-3S} οG3588{T-NSM} ηγουμενοςG2233{V-PNP-NSM} τουG3588{T-GSM} λογουG3056{N-GSM} 13οG3588{T-NSM} ατεG5037{PRT} τσβδεG1161{CONJ} ιερευςG2409{N-NSM} τουG3588{T-GSM} διοςG2203{N-GSM} τουG3588{T-GSM} οντοςG5607{V-PXP-GSM} προG4253{PREP} τηςG3588{T-GSF} πολεωςG4172{N-GSF} τσβαυτωνG846{P-GPM} ταυρουςG5022{N-APM} καιG2532{CONJ} στεμματαG4725{N-APN} επιG1909{PREP} τουςG3588{T-APM} πυλωναςG4440{N-APM} ενεγκαςG5342{V-AAP-NSM} συνG4862{PREP} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} οχλοιςG3793{N-DPM} ηθελενG2309{V-IAI-3S} θυεινG2380{V-PAN} 14ακουσαντεςG191{V-AAP-NPM} δεG1161{CONJ} οιG3588{T-NPM} αποστολοιG652{N-NPM} βαρναβαςG921{N-NSM} καιG2532{CONJ} παυλοςG3972{N-NSM} διαρρηξαντεςG1284{V-AAP-NPM} ταG3588{T-APN} ιματιαG2440{N-APN} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} αεξεπηδησανG1530{V-AAI-3P} τσβεισεπηδησανG1530{V-AAI-3P} ειςG1519{PREP} τονG3588{T-ASM} οχλονG3793{N-ASM} κραζοντεςG2896{V-PAP-NPM} 15καιG2532{CONJ} λεγοντεςG3004{V-PAP-NPM} ανδρεςG435{N-VPM} τιG5101{I-ASN} ταυταG5023{D-APN} ποιειτεG4160{V-PAI-2P} καιG2532{CONJ} ημειςG2249{P-1NP} ομοιοπαθειςG3663{A-NPM} εσμενG2070{V-PXI-1P} υμινG5213{P-2DP} ανθρωποιG444{N-NPM} ευαγγελιζομενοιG2097{V-PMP-NPM} υμαςG5209{P-2AP} αποG575{PREP} τουτωνG5130{D-GPM} τωνG3588{T-GPM} ματαιωνG3152{A-GPM} επιστρεφεινG1994{V-PAN} επιG1909{PREP} τσβτονG3588{T-ASM} θεονG2316{N-ASM} τσβτονG3588{T-ASM} ζωνταG2198{V-PAP-ASM} οςG3739{R-NSM} εποιησενG4160{V-AAI-3S} τονG3588{T-ASM} ουρανονG3772{N-ASM} καιG2532{CONJ} τηνG3588{T-ASF} γηνG1093{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} τηνG3588{T-ASF} θαλασσανG2281{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} πανταG3956{A-APN} ταG3588{T-APN} ενG1722{PREP} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} 16οςG3739{R-NSM} ενG1722{PREP} ταιςG3588{T-DPF} παρωχημεναιςG3944{V-RNP-DPF} γενεαιςG1074{N-DPF} ειασενG1439{V-AAI-3S} πανταG3956{A-APN} ταG3588{T-APN} εθνηG1484{N-APN} πορευεσθαιG4198{V-PNN} ταιςG3588{T-DPF} οδοιςG3598{N-DPF} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} 17ακαιτοιG2543{CONJ} βκαιτοιγεG2544{CONJ} τσκαιG2532{CONJ} τστοιG2544{PRT} τσγεG1065{PRT} ουκG3756{PRT-N} αμαρτυρονG267{A-ASM} ααυτονG846{P-ASM} τσβεαυτονG1438{F-3ASM} αφηκενG863{V-AAI-3S} ααγαθουργωνG14{V-PAP-NSM} τσβαγαθοποιωνG15{V-PAP-NSM} ουρανοθενG3771{ADV} αβυμινG5213{P-2DP} τσημινG2254{P-1DP} υετουςG5205{N-APM} διδουςG1325{V-PAP-NSM} καιG2532{CONJ} καιρουςG2540{N-APM} καρποφορουςG2593{A-APM} εμπιπλωνG1705{V-PAP-NSM} τροφηςG5160{N-GSF} καιG2532{CONJ} ευφροσυνηςG2167{N-GSF} ταςG3588{T-APF} καρδιαςG2588{N-APF} αυμωνG5216{P-2GP} τσβημωνG2257{P-1GP} 18καιG2532{CONJ} ταυταG5023{D-APN} λεγοντεςG3004{V-PAP-NPM} μολιςG3433{ADV} κατεπαυσανG2664{V-AAI-3P} τουςG3588{T-APM} οχλουςG3793{N-APM} τουG3588{T-GSM} μηG3361{PRT-N} θυεινG2380{V-PAN} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} 19αεπηλθανG1904{V-AAI-3P} τσβεπηλθονG1904{V-2AAI-3P} δεG1161{CONJ} αποG575{PREP} αντιοχειαςG490{N-GSF} καιG2532{CONJ} ικονιουG2430{N-GSN} ιουδαιοιG2453{A-NPM} καιG2532{CONJ} πεισαντεςG3982{V-AAP-NPM} τουςG3588{T-APM} οχλουςG3793{N-APM} καιG2532{CONJ} λιθασαντεςG3034{V-AAP-NPM} τονG3588{T-ASM} παυλονG3972{N-ASM} εσυρονG4951{V-IAI-3P} εξωG1854{ADV} τηςG3588{T-GSF} πολεωςG4172{N-GSF} ανομιζοντεςG3543{V-PAP-NPM} τσβνομισαντεςG3543{V-AAP-NPM} αυτονG846{P-ASM} ατεθνηκεναιG2348{V-RAN} τσβτεθναναιG2348{V-2RAN} 20κυκλωσαντωνG2944{V-AAP-GPM} δεG1161{CONJ} τσβαυτονG846{P-ASM} τωνG3588{T-GPM} μαθητωνG3101{N-GPM} ααυτονG846{P-ASM} ανασταςG450{V-2AAP-NSM} εισηλθενG1525{V-2AAI-3S} ειςG1519{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} πολινG4172{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} τηG3588{T-DSF} επαυριονG1887{ADV} εξηλθενG1831{V-2AAI-3S} συνG4862{PREP} τωG3588{T-DSM} βαρναβαG921{N-DSM} ειςG1519{PREP} δερβηνG1191{N-ASF} 21ευαγγελισαμενοιG2097{V-AMP-NPM} τεG5037{PRT} τηνG3588{T-ASF} πολινG4172{N-ASF} εκεινηνG1565{D-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} μαθητευσαντεςG3100{V-AAP-NPM} ικανουςG2425{A-APM} υπεστρεψανG5290{V-AAI-3P} ειςG1519{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} λυστρανG3082{N-ASF} καιG2532{CONJ} αειςG1519{PREP} ικονιονG2430{N-ASN} καιG2532{CONJ} αειςG1519{PREP} αντιοχειανG490{N-ASF} 22επιστηριζοντεςG1991{V-PAP-NPM} ταςG3588{T-APF} ψυχαςG5590{N-APF} τωνG3588{T-GPM} μαθητωνG3101{N-GPM} παρακαλουντεςG3870{V-PAP-NPM} εμμενεινG1696{V-PAN} τηG3588{T-DSF} πιστειG4102{N-DSF} καιG2532{CONJ} οτιG3754{CONJ} διαG1223{PREP} πολλωνG4183{A-GPF} θλιψεωνG2347{N-GPF} δειG1163{V-PQI-3S} ημαςG2248{P-1AP} εισελθεινG1525{V-2AAN} ειςG1519{PREP} τηνG3588{T-ASF} βασιλειανG932{N-ASF} τουG3588{T-GSM} θεουG2316{N-GSM} 23χειροτονησαντεςG5500{V-AAP-NPM} δεG1161{CONJ} αυτοιςG846{P-DPM} τσβπρεσβυτερουςG4245{A-APM} κατG2596{PREP} εκκλησιανG1577{N-ASF} απρεσβυτερουςG4245{A-APM} προσευξαμενοιG4336{V-ADP-NPM} μεταG3326{PREP} νηστειωνG3521{N-GPF} παρεθεντοG3908{V-2AMI-3P} αυτουςG846{P-APM} τωG3588{T-DSM} κυριωG2962{N-DSM} ειςG1519{PREP} ονG3739{R-ASM} πεπιστευκεισανG4100{V-LAI-3P} 24καιG2532{CONJ} διελθοντεςG1330{V-2AAP-NPM} τηνG3588{T-ASF} πισιδιανG4099{N-ASF} ηλθονG2064{V-2AAI-3P} ειςG1519{PREP} ατηνG3588{T-ASF} παμφυλιανG3828{N-ASF} 25καιG2532{CONJ} λαλησαντεςG2980{V-AAP-NPM} ενG1722{PREP} περγηG4011{N-DSF} τονG3588{T-ASM} λογονG3056{N-ASM} κατεβησανG2597{V-2AAI-3P} ειςG1519{PREP} ατταλειανG825{N-ASF} 26κακειθενG2547{ADV-C} απεπλευσανG636{V-AAI-3P} ειςG1519{PREP} αντιοχειανG490{N-ASF} οθενG3606{ADV} ησανG2258{V-IXI-3P} παραδεδομενοιG3860{V-RPP-NPM} τηG3588{T-DSF} χαριτιG5485{N-DSF} τουG3588{T-GSM} θεουG2316{N-GSM} ειςG1519{PREP} τοG3588{T-ASN} εργονG2041{N-ASN} οG3739{R-ASN} επληρωσανG4137{V-AAI-3P} 27παραγενομενοιG3854{V-2ADP-NPM} δεG1161{CONJ} καιG2532{CONJ} συναγαγοντεςG4863{V-2AAP-NPM} τηνG3588{T-ASF} εκκλησιανG1577{N-ASF} αανηγγελλονG312{V-IAI-3P} τσβανηγγειλανG312{V-AAI-3P} οσαG3745{K-APN} εποιησενG4160{V-AAI-3S} οG3588{T-NSM} θεοςG2316{N-NSM} μετG3326{PREP} αυτωνG846{P-GPM} καιG2532{CONJ} οτιG3754{CONJ} ηνοιξενG455{V-AAI-3S} τοιςG3588{T-DPN} εθνεσινG1484{N-DPN} θυρανG2374{N-ASF} πιστεωςG4102{N-GSF} 28διετριβονG1304{V-IAI-3P} δεG1161{CONJ} τσβεκειG1563{ADV} χρονονG5550{N-ASM} ουκG3756{PRT-N} ολιγονG3641{A-ASM} συνG4862{PREP} τοιςG3588{T-DPM} μαθηταιςG3101{N-DPM}
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 MEETING WITH SIMILAR SUCCESS AND SIMILAR OPPOSITION AT ICONIUM, PAUL AND BARNABAS FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES TO LYSTRA AND DERBE, AND PREACH THERE. (
Acts 14:1-
Acts 14:7)
they went both together into the synagogue--Though Paul was now the prominent speaker and actor, yet in everything Barnabas went along with him.
a . . . multitude . . . of the Greeks believed--meaning probably the religious proselytes, as opposed to "the Gentiles" mentioned
Acts 14:2.
3 Long time therefore abode they--because in spite of opposition they were meeting with so much success.
speaking boldly in the Lord--rather, "in dependence on the Lord," that is, on their glorified Head.
who gave testimony to the word of his grace--a notable definition of the Gospel, whose whole burden is GRACE.
and granted--"granting," that is, who confirmed the Gospel by granting miraculous attestation to it. (The "and" is wanting in the best manuscripts).
5 an assault made . . . to stone them--rather here, "an impetuous movement" with a view to stoning them: for in
2Cor 11:25, Paul says, "Once I was stoned," and that was at Lystra, as expressly related in
Acts 14:19. (PALEY'S remarks--Horć Paulinć--on this singular coincidence between the Epistle and the history are very striking).
fled--(See
Matt 10:23).
6 unto Lystra and Derbe--the one some twenty miles to the south, the other some sixty miles to the east of Iconium, somewhere near the bases of what are called the Black Mountains and the roots of Mount Taurus; but their exact position has not yet been discovered.
8 AT LYSTRA PAUL HEALING A CRIPPLE, THE PEOPLE ARE SCARCE RESTRAINED FROM SACRIFICING TO THEM AS GODS, BUT AFTERWARDS, THEIR MINDS BEING POISONED, THEY STONE PAUL, LEAVING HIM FOR DEAD--WITHDRAWING TO DERBE, THEY PREACH AND TEACH THERE. (
Acts 14:8-
Acts 14:21)
there sat there a certain man . . . a cripple from his mother's womb . . . The same heard Paul speak--in the open air and (
Acts 14:11) to a crowd of people.
9 who steadfastly beholding him--as he did Elymas the sorcerer when about to work a miracle on him.
and perceiving that he had faith to be healed--Paul may have been led by the sight of this cripple to dwell on the Saviour's miracles of healing, and His present power; and perceiving from the eagerness with which the patient drank in his words, that he was prepared to put his own case into the Redeemer's hands, the Spirit of the glorified Physician came all upon Paul, and "with a loud voice" he bade him "stand upright upon his feet." The effect was instantaneous--he sprang to his feet "and walked."
11 in the speech of Lycaonia--whether a corruption of the Greek tongue, which was well enough understood in this region, or the remains of some older tongue, is not known.
The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men--the language of an unsophisticated people. But "that which was a superstition in Lycaonia, and for which the whole "creation" groaned, became a reality at Bethlehem" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].
12 they called Barnabas, Jupiter--the father of the gods, from his commanding mien (CHRYSOSTOM thinks).
and Paul, Mercurius--the god of eloquence and the messenger and attendant of Jupiter, in the heathen mythology.
13 the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city--that is, whose temple stood
before their city, brought oxen and garlands--to crown the victims and decorate, as on festive occasions, the porches.
14 when . . . Barnabas and Paul heard--Barnabas is put first here, apparently as having been styled the "Jupiter" of the company.
they rent their clothes and ran in--rather (according to the true reading), "ran forth."
among the people, crying out . . . Sirs, why do ye these things?--This was something more than that abhorrence of idolatry which took possession of the Jews as a nation from the time of the Babylonish captivity: it was that delicate sensibility to everything which affects the honor of God which Christianity, giving us in God a reconciled Father, alone can produce; making the Christian instinctively feel himself to be wounded in all dishonor done to God, and filling him with mingled horror and grief when such gross insults as this are offered to him.
15 We . . . are men of like passions, &c.--How unlike either imposture or enthusiasm is this, and how high above all self-seeking do these men of Christ show themselves to be!
unto the living God--This is the most glorious and distinctive of all the names of God. It is the familiar phraseology of the Old Testament. which, in such contrast with all that is to be found within the literature of heathenism, is shown to be, with its sequel, the New Testament, the one Book of the true religion.
who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all . . . therein--This idea of creation, utterly unknown alike to rude and to cultivated heathenism, would not only define what was meant by "the living God," but open up a new world to the more thoughtful part of the audience.
16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways--that is, without extending to them the revelation vouchsafed to the seed of Abraham, and the grace attending it; compare
Acts 17:30;
1Cor 1:21. Yet not without guilt on their part was this privation (
Rom 1:20, &c.).
17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness--Though the heinousness of idolatry is represented as so much less in the heathen, by how much they were outside the pale of revealed religion, he takes care to add that the heathen have divine "witness" enough to leave them "without excuse."
he did good--scattering His beneficence everywhere and in a thousand forms.
rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons--on which human subsistence and all human enjoyment depend. In Lycaonia, where, as ancient writers attest, rain is peculiarly scarce, this allusion would have all the greater effect.
filling our hearts with food and gladness--a natural colloquialism, the heart being gladdened by the food supplied to the body.
18 with these sayings scarce restrained they the people that they had not done sacrifice to them--In spite of this,and Peter's repudiation of all such honor (
Acts 10:26), how soon idolatrous tendencies began to show themselves in the Christian Church, at length to be systematized and enjoined in the Church of Rome!
19 came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium--Furious zeal that would travel so far to counteract the missionaries of the Cross!
persuaded the people--"the multitudes."
and having stoned Paul--(See on
Acts 14:5). Barnabas they seem to have let alone; Paul, as the prominent actor and speaker, being the object of all their rage. The words seem to imply that it was the Jews who did this; and no doubt they took the lead (
Acts 14:19), but it was the act of the instigated and fickle multitudes along with them.
drew him out of the city--By comparing this with
Acts 7:58 it will be seen that the Jews were the chief actors in this scene.
20 as the disciples stood round about him--sorrowing. So his labors here had not been in vain: "Disciples" had been gathered, who now rallied around the bleeding body. And one appears to have been gained on this occasion, of far more importance than all the rest--TIMOTHEUS. See on
Acts 16:1-
Acts 16:3. (It could scarcely have been at the subsequent visit,
Acts 14:21, for the reason given in
2Tim 3:10-11; while at the third visit,
Acts 16:1-
Acts 16:3, he was already a Christian).
he rose up--It is possible that this recovery was natural; the insensibility occasioned by such treatment as he had received sometimes passing away of itself, and leaving the patient less hurt than appeared. But certainly the impression naturally left on the mind by the words is that the restoration was miraculous; and so the best interpreters understand the words. This is confirmed by what follows.
came into the city--Noble intrepidity!
next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe--a journey for which he could hardly be fit if his recovery had been natural. (As to Derbe, see on
Acts 14:6).
21 and when they had preached . . . to that city and had taught many--rather, "had made many disciples" (Margin); but probably without suffering any persecution, as Derbe is not mentioned along with Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (
2Tim 3:11).
21 PAUL AND BARNABAS RETRACE THEIR STEPS, RETURN TO ANTIOCH IN SYRIA, AND THUS COMPLETE THEIR FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY. (
Acts 14:21-
Acts 14:28)
they returned . . . to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls, &c.--At Derbe, Paul was not far from the well-known pass which leads down from the central tableland to Cilicia and Tarsus. But his thoughts did not center in an earthly home. He revisited the places where he had been reviled and persecuted, but where he had left as sheep in the desert the disciples whom his Master had enabled him to gather. They needed building up and strengthening in the faith, comforting in the midst of their inevitable suffering, and fencing round by permanent institutions. Undaunted therefore by the dangers that awaited them, our missionaries return to them, using words of encouragement which none but the founders of a true religion would have ventured to address to their earliest converts, that "we can only enter into the kingdom of God by passing through much tribulation" [HOWSON].
23 when they had ordained them elders--literally, "chosen by show of hands." But as that would imply that this was done by the apostles' own hands, many render the word, as in our version, "ordained." Still, as there is no evidence in the New Testament that the word had then lost its proper meaning, as this is beyond doubt its meaning in
2Cor 8:19, and as there is indisputable evidence that the concurrence of the people was required in all elections to sacred office in the earliest ages of the Church, it is perhaps better to understand the words to mean, "when they had made a choice of elders," that is, superintended such choice on the part of the disciples.
and had prayed with fasting--literally, "fastings," thus setting them solemnly apart. This last clause confirms our interpretation of the former. For if "ordination" was by prayer and fasting (see
Acts 13:3), why should it be said they first "ordained elders," and after that "prayed with fasting?" Whereas if the first clause refer to the choice and the second to the ordination, all is natural.
they commended--"committed"
them--that is, all these churches.
to the Lord--Jesus.
25 when they had preached the word in Perga--now doing what, for some reason, they had not done on their former visit, but probably with no visible fruit.
they went down into Attaila--a seaport on the Gulf of Pamphylia, drawing to itself the commerce of Egypt and Syria.
26 sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended--(See on
Acts 13:3).
27 when they had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, &c.--As their call and mission had been solemn and formal, in the presence of and by the Church as well as the Holy Ghost, they dutifully, and no doubt with eager joy, convened the church and gave their report of "all that God had done with them," that is, by and for them.
and how--in particular.
he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles--to such even as before had not been proselytes. (See on
Acts 11:21; and on the language, see
1Cor 16:9;
2Cor 2:12;
Col 4:3). The ascribing directly to God of such access to the Gentiles is to be noted.
28 there they abode long time--"no little time." From the commencement of the mission till they left Antioch to go up to attend the council at Jerusalem, some four or five years elapsed; and as the missionary journey would probably occupy less than two years, the rest of the time would be the period of their stay at Antioch. (But see Chronological Table.)