Acts
Chapter 14
In Iconium
In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas also went into the Jewish synagogue and preached in such a way that many Jews and Greeks believed.
However, the Jews who would not believe stirred up the pagan people and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
Despite this, Paul and Barnabas spent a lot of time there. They spoke boldly of the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace with the miraculous signs and wonders He enabled them to perform.
The people in the city were divided, with some supporting the Jews and others supporting the apostles.
Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, plotted to harm the apostles and to stone them.
But Paul and Barnabas learned of this and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe, as well as the surrounding countryside,
where they kept preaching the Good News. Paul and Barnabas spent a significant amount of time in Lystra.
In Lystra
There was a crippled man in Lystra who had never been able to stand or walk.
One day, as he was listening to the preaching, Paul looked directly at him and saw that he had the faith to be healed.
So he said loudly: “Stand upright on your feet.” The man leaped up and began to walk.
When the people saw what Paul had done, they cried out in the language of Lycaonia:
“The gods have come to us in human likeness!”
They named Barnabas Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.
Even the priest of the temple of Zeus, which stood outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gate; along with the people, he wanted to offer a sacrifice to them.
When Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their garments to show their indignation and rushed into the crowd, shouting:
“Friends, why are you doing this? We are human beings, with the same weaknesses you have, and we are now telling you to turn away from these useless things to the living God who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.
In past generations, he allowed each nation to go its own way,
although he never stopped making himself known; for he is continually doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, providing you with food and filling your hearts with joy.”
Even these words could hardly stop the crowd from offering sacrifices to them.
Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and turned the crowd against them. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, leaving him for dead.
But when his disciples gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day, he left for Derbe with Barnabas.
Return to Antioch
After preaching the gospel in that town and making many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium, then on to Antioch.
They were strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to stay firm in the faith, saying: “We must go through many trials to enter the kingdom of God.”
In each church, they appointed elders, and after praying and fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had placed their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and arrived at Pamphylia.
They preached the word in Perga and then went down to Attalia.
From there, they sailed back to Antioch, where they had first been commended to God’s grace for the task they had now finished.
Upon their arrival, they gathered the church and shared with them everything God had done through them, including how He opened the door of faith to the non-Jews.
They spent a good amount of time there with the disciples.
Commentaries
In Iconium.
The events here closely mirror those in Pisidian Antioch. Once again, they start preaching in the synagogue with similar reactions, although this time they are not expelled from the city but have to flee from their opponents’ threats. Luke emphasizes the bravery of these missionaries and the wonders and miracles that the Lord performed through them.
In Lystra.
The lively incident in Lystra, involving a healing performed by Paul, illustrates the first encounters of Christian preachers with pagan polytheistic culture. Luke humorously notes that Barnabas, more reserved and serious, was mistaken for Zeus, the chief of the gods, while Paul, the main speaker, was mistaken for Hermes, the messenger of the gods. The situation becomes complicated when they attempt to offer him a sacrifice. Paul uses the situation to clarify and tell them about the one God, creator of all, patient and understanding of the religious practices of different peoples. He also notes that the time has come to turn to the living God.
Return to Antioch, the first missionary journey that opened the doors of the Gospel to the Gentiles comes to an end.
The missionaries retrace their steps to visit the small Christian communities they had established. They encourage them to stay faithful despite the hardships and suffering involved. These visits also serve to organize communities with local leaders, known as “elders.” Upon their return to Antioch, the community gathers to hear the missionaries. In the report by Paul and Barnabas, Luke emphasizes the conclusion they reached: spreading the Gospel to the pagans was truly God’s initiative.