Acts Chapter 14

At a Glance

  • Chapter 14 chronicles Paul and Barnabas’s first extended preaching tour in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
  • Acts 14 is part of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, illustrating the risks and rewards of cross-cultural evangelism in the Greco-Roman world.
  • - Mission amid adversity: The gospel advances even in hostile settings.
  • - Misunderstanding and idolatry: People misread divine acts, leading to misplaced worship and danger.
  • - Perseverance and courage: The apostles endure threats and continue preaching the gospel.

Chapter 14 chronicles Paul and Barnabas’s first extended preaching tour in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. In Iconium, they preach boldly, and many believe, but opposition grows as both Jews and Gentiles malign them, weaving a narrative of division and danger. The apostles face violent resistance and flee, continuing their preaching in the Lycaonian countryside. In Lystra, a cripple is healed through Paul’s intervention, prompting the locals to deify them as gods—“The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” The apostles vehemently reject this misidentification, insisting they are only human and directing the crowd to turn from vanities to the living God. The situation shifts quickly, as some from the crowds provoke hostility, leading to an attempted stoning. Paul survives and continues preaching, while the mission expands to Derbe. This chapter vividly captures the dynamic tension of early Christian mission: miracles attract crowds, misinterpretation and worship-diversion threaten the gospel, and perseverance under persecution yields fertile ground for future growth. The narrative ends with a return to Antioch, where they report the signs, wonders, and the hardships endured, reinforcing the theme of steadfast faith amid trials.

Acts 14 is part of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, illustrating the risks and rewards of cross-cultural evangelism in the Greco-Roman world. Luke emphasizes experiential signs (miracles) and credible opposition (stoning, plot to stone) to show the real-world costs of gospel proclamation. The genre remains historical narrative with theological reflection: miracles function as divine validation, while persecution tests and refines the church’s witness. The chapter’s recurring motif—temporary success followed by rising opposition—foreshadows the wider trajectory of Paul’s ministry and the spread of Christianity into Gentile regions.

- Mission amid adversity: The gospel advances even in hostile settings.

- Misunderstanding and idolatry: People misread divine acts, leading to misplaced worship and danger.

- Perseverance and courage: The apostles endure threats and continue preaching the gospel.

- God’s inclusive mission amid resistance: Gentile audiences respond to signs and preaching.

- Community accountability: The church in Antioch hears reports and strengthens their co-mission.

This chapter challenges contemporary readers to walk courageously where cultural and spiritual resistance exists. It calls churches to discern when to preach boldly amid crowds that misinterpret divine works, to resist shortcuts that seek popular acclaim, and to stay rooted in God’s truth when opposition arises. The healing of the cripple shows how acts of mercy open doors, but also how human response can drift into idolatry. Practically, communities should cultivate discernment to differentiate genuine faith from sensationalism, practice humility in ministry, and remain steadfast in mission even when the environment is hostile. It also highlights the value of collaborative mission—groups traveling together, sharing the burden, and reporting back to strengthen the wider church.

Key Themes

Mission amid adversity: The gospel advances even in hostile settings.Misunderstanding and idolatry: People misread divine acts, leading to misplaced worship and danger.Perseverance and courage: The apostles endure threats and continue preaching the gospel.God’s inclusive mission amid resistance: Gentile audiences respond to signs and preaching.

Chapter Text

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.

19

And 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.

20

Howbeit, 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.

21

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22

Confirming 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.

23

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

24

And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25

And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27

And 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.

28

And there they abode long time with the disciples.

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