
Text -- Acts 14:17-28 (NET)




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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson -> Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:18; Act 14:18; Act 14:18; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:20; Act 14:20; Act 14:21; Act 14:21; Act 14:21; Act 14:22; Act 14:22; Act 14:22; Act 14:23; Act 14:23; Act 14:23; Act 14:23; Act 14:24; Act 14:26; Act 14:26; Act 14:27; Act 14:27; Act 14:27; Act 14:27; Act 14:28
Robertson: Act 14:17 - -- And yet ( kaitoi ).
Old Greek compound particle (kai toi ). In the N.T. twice only, once with finite verb as here, once with the participle (Heb 4:3...
And yet (
Old Greek compound particle (

Robertson: Act 14:17 - -- Without witness ( amarturon ).
Old adjective (a privative and martus , witness), only here in the N.T.
Without witness (
Old adjective (

Robertson: Act 14:17 - -- Left ( aphēken ).
First aorist active (k aorist indicative of aphiēmi ).
Left (
First aorist active (

Robertson: Act 14:17 - -- In that he did good ( agathourgōn ).
Present active causal participle of agathourgeō , late and rare verb (also agathoergeō 1Ti 6:18), readin...
In that he did good (
Present active causal participle of

Robertson: Act 14:17 - -- Gladness ( euphrosunēs ).
Old word from euphrōn (eu and phrēn ), good cheer. In the N.T. only Act 2:28 and here. Cheerfulness should be ou...
Gladness (
Old word from

Scarce (
Adverb in same sense as old

Robertson: Act 14:18 - -- Restrained ( katepausan ).
Effective first aorist active indicative of katapauō , old verb in causative sense to make abstain from.
Restrained (
Effective first aorist active indicative of

Robertson: Act 14:18 - -- From doing sacrifice unto them ( tou mē thuein autois ).
Ablative case of the articular infinitive with redundant negative after katepausan , regul...
From doing sacrifice unto them (
Ablative case of the articular infinitive with redundant negative after

Robertson: Act 14:19 - -- But there came thither Jews from Antioch and Iconium ( Epēlthan de apo Antiocheias kai Ikoniou Ioudaioi ).
Came to or upon them, epēlthan , secon...
But there came thither Jews from Antioch and Iconium (
Came to or upon them,

Robertson: Act 14:19 - -- Having persuaded the multitudes ( peisantes tous ochlous ).
First aorist (effective) active participle of peithō . They had complete success with m...
Having persuaded the multitudes (
First aorist (effective) active participle of

Robertson: Act 14:19 - -- They stoned Paul ( lithasantes ton Paulon ).
First aorist active participle of lithazō , late verb from lithos for throwing stones (used by Paul ...
They stoned Paul (
First aorist active participle of

Robertson: Act 14:19 - -- Dragged him out of the city ( esuron exō tēs poleōs ).
They hurled Stephen outside of the city before stoning him (Act 7:58). It was a hurried ...
Dragged him out of the city (
They hurled Stephen outside of the city before stoning him (Act 7:58). It was a hurried and irregular proceeding, but they were dragging (imperfect active of

Robertson: Act 14:19 - -- Supposing that he were dead ( nomizontes auton tethnēkenai ).
Present active participle with infinitive (second perfect active of thnēskō ) in...
Supposing that he were dead (
Present active participle with infinitive (second perfect active of

Robertson: Act 14:20 - -- Stood round about him ( kuklōsantōn auton ).
Genitive absolute with first aorist active participle of kukloō , old verb from kuklos (circle, ...
Stood round about him (
Genitive absolute with first aorist active participle of

Robertson: Act 14:20 - -- With Barnabas ( sun tōi Barnabāi ).
With the assistance of Barnabas. It was plainly unwise to continue in Lystra so that they set out on the next...
With Barnabas (
With the assistance of Barnabas. It was plainly unwise to continue in Lystra so that they set out on the next day (

Robertson: Act 14:21 - -- When they had preached the gospel to that city ( euaggelisamenoi tēn polin ekeinēn ).
Having evangelized (first aorist middle participle) that ci...
When they had preached the gospel to that city (
Having evangelized (first aorist middle participle) that city, a smaller city and apparently with no trouble from the Jews.

Robertson: Act 14:21 - -- Had made many disciples ( mathēteusantes hikanous ).
First aorist active participle of mathēteuō from mathētēs , a learner or disciple. L...
Had made many disciples (
First aorist active participle of

Robertson: Act 14:21 - -- They returned to Lystra and to Iconium, and to Antioch ( hupestrepsan eis tēn Lustran kai eis Ikonion kai eis Antiocheian ).
Derbe was the frontier...
They returned to Lystra and to Iconium, and to Antioch (
Derbe was the frontier city of the Roman empire. The quickest way to return to Antioch in Syria would have been by the Cilician Gates or by the pass over Matthew. Taurus by which Paul and Silas will come to Derbe in the second tour (Acts 15:41-16:1), but difficult to travel in winter. But it was necessary to revisit the churches in Lystra, Iconium, Antioch in Pisidia and to see that they were able to withstand persecution. Paul was a Roman citizen though he had not made use of this privilege as yet for his own protection. Against mob violence it would count for little, but he did not hesitate. Paul had been stoned in Lystra, threatened in Iconium, expelled in Antioch. He shows his wisdom in conserving his work.

Robertson: Act 14:22 - -- Confirming ( epistērizontes ).
Late verb (in lxx), in N.T. only in Act 14:22; Act 15:32, Act 15:41, to make more firm, to give additional (epi ) s...

Robertson: Act 14:22 - -- To continue in the faith ( emmenein tēi pistei ).
To remain in with locative, old verb. It is possible that pistis here has the notion of creed a...
To continue in the faith (
To remain in with locative, old verb. It is possible that

Robertson: Act 14:22 - -- We must ( dei hēmās ).
It does not follow from this use of "we"that Luke was present, since it is a general proposition applying to all Christian...
We must (
It does not follow from this use of "we"that Luke was present, since it is a general proposition applying to all Christians at all times (2Ti 3:12). Luke, of course, approved this principle. Knowling asks why Timothy may not have told Luke about Paul’ s work. It all sounds like quotation of Paul’ s very language. Note the change of construction here after

Robertson: Act 14:23 - -- And when they had appointed for them elders in every church ( cheirotonēsantes de autois kat' ekklēsian presbuterous ).
They needed also some for...
And when they had appointed for them elders in every church (
They needed also some form of organization, though already churches. Note distributive use of

Robertson: Act 14:23 - -- Had prayed with fasting ( proseuxamenoi meta nēsteiōn ).
It was a serious matter, this formal setting apart of these "elders"in the churches. So ...
Had prayed with fasting (
It was a serious matter, this formal setting apart of these "elders"in the churches. So it was done in a public meeting with prayer and fasting as when Paul and Barnabas were sent forth from Antioch in Syria (Act 13:3) on this mission tour.

Robertson: Act 14:23 - -- They commended them to the Lord ( parethento autous tōi kuriōi ).
Second aorist middle indicative of paratithēmi . Old and solemn word, to entr...
They commended them to the Lord (
Second aorist middle indicative of

Robertson: Act 14:23 - -- On whom they had believed ( eis hon pepisteukeisan ).
Past perfect indicative (without augment) of pisteuō . They had "trusted"in Jesus (2Ti 1:12) ...
On whom they had believed (
Past perfect indicative (without augment) of

Robertson: Act 14:24 - -- When they had spoken the word in Perga ( lalēsantes en Pergēi ton logon ).
Now they stopped and preached in Perga which they had apparently not d...
When they had spoken the word in Perga (
Now they stopped and preached in Perga which they had apparently not done before (See note on Act 13:13.). After leaving Antioch they passed on through Pisidia, as if Antioch was not strictly in Pisidia (see note on Act 13:14) and into Pamphylia. They crossed from Perga to Attaleia, the port of Perga, sixteen miles down the Cestus, and capital of Pamphylia, to find a ship for Antioch in Syria. It is now called Adala and for long was the chief harbour of the south coast of Asia Minor. We do not know why they did not revisit Cyprus, perhaps because no permanent Gentile churches were founded there.

Robertson: Act 14:26 - -- They sailed away to Antioch ( apepleusan eis Antiocheian ).
Effective aorist active indicative of apopleō , to sail off. They had been gone some ei...
They sailed away to Antioch (
Effective aorist active indicative of

Robertson: Act 14:26 - -- They had been committed ( ēsan paradedomenoi ).
Periphrastic past perfect passive of paradidōmi , old and common verb. High and serious thoughts ...
They had been committed (
Periphrastic past perfect passive of

Robertson: Act 14:27 - -- Gathered the church together ( sunagagontes tēn ekklēsian ).
Second aorist active participle of sunagō . It "was the first missionary meeting i...
Gathered the church together (
Second aorist active participle of

Robertson: Act 14:27 - -- Rehearsed ( anēggellon ).
Imperfect active. It was a long story for they had many things to tell of God’ s dealings "with them"(met' autōn ...
Rehearsed (
Imperfect active. It was a long story for they had many things to tell of God’ s dealings "with them"(

Robertson: Act 14:27 - -- And how ( kai hoti ).
Or "and that"in particular, as the upshot of it all.
And how (
Or "and that"in particular, as the upshot of it all.

Robertson: Act 14:27 - -- He had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles ( ēnoixen tois ethnesin thuran pisteōs ).
Three times in Paul’ s Epistles (1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:1...
He had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles (
Three times in Paul’ s Epistles (1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3) he employed the metaphor of "door,"perhaps a reminiscence of the very language of Paul here. This work in Galatia gained a large place in Paul’ s heart (Gal 4:14.). The Gentiles now, it was plain, could enter the kingdom of God (Act 14:22) through the door of faith, not by law or by circumcision or by heathen philosophy or mythology.

Robertson: Act 14:28 - -- And they tarried no little time ( dietribon de chronon ouk oligon ).
Imperfect active of diatribō , old verb to rub hard, to consume, with accusati...
And they tarried no little time (
Imperfect active of
Vincent: Act 14:17 - -- Rains
Jupiter was lord of the air. He dispensed the thunder and lightning, the rain and the hail, the rivers and tempests. " All signs and porten...
Rains
Jupiter was lord of the air. He dispensed the thunder and lightning, the rain and the hail, the rivers and tempests. " All signs and portents whatever, that appear in the air, belong primarily to him, as does the genial sign of the rainbow" (Gladstone, " Homer and the Homeric Age" ). The mention of rain is appropriate, as there was a scarcity of water in Lycaonia.

Vincent: Act 14:17 - -- Food
Mercury, as the god of merchandise, was also the dispenser of food.
" No one can read the speech without once more perceiving its subtle an...
Food
Mercury, as the god of merchandise, was also the dispenser of food.
" No one can read the speech without once more perceiving its subtle and inimitable coincidence with his (Paul's) thoughts and expressions. The rhythmic conclusion is not unaccordant with the style of his most elevated moods; and besides the appropriate appeal to God's natural gifts in a town not in itself unhappily situated, but surrounded by a waterless and treeless plain, we may naturally suppose that the 'filling our hearts with food and gladness' was suggested by the garlands and festive pomp which accompanied the bulls on which the people would afterward have made their common banquet" (Farrar, " Life and Work of Paul" ). For the coincidences between this discourse and other utterances of Paul, compare Act 14:15, and 1Th 1:9; Act 14:16, and Rom 3:25; Act 17:30; Act 14:17, and Rom 1:19, Rom 1:20.

To Derbe
A journey of only a few hours.

Vincent: Act 14:21 - -- Taught ( μαθητεύσαντες )
More correctly, made disciples of, as Rev. See on Mat 13:52.
Taught (
More correctly, made disciples of, as Rev. See on Mat 13:52.

Vincent: Act 14:23 - -- Ordained ( χειροτονήσαντες )
Only here and 2Co 8:19. Rev., more correctly, appointed. The meaning ordain is later. See on Ac...

Vincent: Act 14:23 - -- Elders ( πρεσβυτέρους )
For the general superintendence of the church. The word is synonymous with ἐπίσκοποι , over s...
Elders (
For the general superintendence of the church. The word is synonymous with


With them (
In connection with them; assisting them.

Vincent: Act 14:27 - -- And how ( καὶ ὅτι )
Better, that. The and has an incressive and particularizing force: " and in particular, above all. "
And how (
Better, that. The and has an incressive and particularizing force: " and in particular, above all. "
Wesley: Act 14:17 - -- For the heathens had always from God himself a testimony both of his existence and of his providence; in that he did good - Even by punishments he tes...
For the heathens had always from God himself a testimony both of his existence and of his providence; in that he did good - Even by punishments he testifies of himself; but more peculiarly by benefits; giving rain - By which air, earth, and sea, are, as it were, all joined together; from heaven - The seat of God; to which St. Paul probably pointed while he spoke, filling the body with food, the soul with gladness.

Moved with equal ease either to adore or murder him.

Wesley: Act 14:20 - -- That he should be able to do this, just after he had been left for dead, was a miracle little less than a resurrection from the dead. Especially consi...
That he should be able to do this, just after he had been left for dead, was a miracle little less than a resurrection from the dead. Especially considering the manner wherein the Jewish malefactors were stoned. The witnesses first threw as large a stone as they could lift, with all possible violence upon his head, which alone was sufficient to dash the skull in pieces. All the people then joined, as long as any motion or token of life remained.

Out of those who were themselves but newly converted.

An expression implying faith in Christ, as well as love to the brethren.

Perga and Attalia were cities of Pamphylia.

Wesley: Act 14:26 - -- Or favour, of God, for the work which they had fulfilled - This shows the nature and design of that laying on of hands, which was mentioned Act 13:3.
Or favour, of God, for the work which they had fulfilled - This shows the nature and design of that laying on of hands, which was mentioned Act 13:3.
JFB -> Act 14:14-18; Act 14:14-18; Act 14:14-18; Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:18; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:20; Act 14:20; Act 14:20; Act 14:20; Act 14:21; Act 14:21-22; Act 14:23-24; Act 14:23-24; Act 14:23-24; Act 14:23-24; Act 14:23-24; Act 14:25; Act 14:25; Act 14:26; Act 14:27; Act 14:27; Act 14:27; Act 14:28
JFB: Act 14:14-18 - -- Barnabas is put first here, apparently as having been styled the "Jupiter" of the company.
Barnabas is put first here, apparently as having been styled the "Jupiter" of the company.

Rather (according to the true reading), "ran forth."

JFB: Act 14:14-18 - -- 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 w...
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.

JFB: Act 14:17 - -- 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 take...
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."

Scattering His beneficence everywhere and in a thousand forms.

JFB: Act 14:17 - -- On which human subsistence and all human enjoyment depend. In Lycaonia, where, as ancient writers attest, rain is peculiarly scarce, this allusion wou...
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.

JFB: Act 14:17 - -- A natural colloquialism, the heart being gladdened by the food supplied to the body.
A natural colloquialism, the heart being gladdened by the food supplied to the body.

JFB: Act 14:18 - -- In spite of this,and Peter's repudiation of all such honor (Act 10:26), how soon idolatrous tendencies began to show themselves in the Christian Churc...
In spite of this,and Peter's repudiation of all such honor (Act 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!

JFB: Act 14:19 - -- Furious zeal that would travel so far to counteract the missionaries of the Cross!
Furious zeal that would travel so far to counteract the missionaries of the Cross!

JFB: Act 14:19 - -- (See on Act 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 ...
(See on Act 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 (Act 14:19), but it was the act of the instigated and fickle multitudes along with them.

JFB: Act 14:19 - -- By comparing this with Act 7:58 it will be seen that the Jews were the chief actors in this scene.
By comparing this with Act 7:58 it will be seen that the Jews were the chief actors in this scene.

JFB: Act 14:20 - -- 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 b...
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 Act 16:1-3. (It could scarcely have been at the subsequent visit, Act 14:21, for the reason given in 2Ti 3:10-11; while at the third visit, Act 16:1-3, he was already a Christian).

JFB: Act 14:20 - -- It is possible that this recovery was natural; the insensibility occasioned by such treatment as he had received sometimes passing away of itself, and...
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.

JFB: Act 14:20 - -- A journey for which he could hardly be fit if his recovery had been natural. (As to Derbe, see on Act 14:6).
A journey for which he could hardly be fit if his recovery had been natural. (As to Derbe, see on Act 14:6).

JFB: Act 14:21 - -- Rather, "had made many disciples" (Margin); but probably without suffering any persecution, as Derbe is not mentioned along with Antioch, Iconium, and...
Rather, "had made many disciples" (Margin); but probably without suffering any persecution, as Derbe is not mentioned along with Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra (2Ti 3:11).

JFB: Act 14:21-22 - -- 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...
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].

JFB: Act 14:23-24 - -- 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, ...
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 2Co 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.

JFB: Act 14:23-24 - -- Literally, "fastings," thus setting them solemnly apart. This last clause confirms our interpretation of the former. For if "ordination" was by prayer...
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 Act 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.

JFB: Act 14:25 - -- Now doing what, for some reason, they had not done on their former visit, but probably with no visible fruit.
Now doing what, for some reason, they had not done on their former visit, but probably with no visible fruit.

JFB: Act 14:25 - -- A seaport on the Gulf of Pamphylia, drawing to itself the commerce of Egypt and Syria.
A seaport on the Gulf of Pamphylia, drawing to itself the commerce of Egypt and Syria.

JFB: Act 14:27 - -- 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 wit...
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.

JFB: Act 14:27 - -- To such even as before had not been proselytes. (See on Act 11:21; and on the language, see 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3). The ascribing directly to Go...

JFB: Act 14:28 - -- "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 ela...
"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.)
Clarke: Act 14:17 - -- He left not himself without witness - Though he gave the Gentiles no revelation of his will, yet he continued to govern them by his gracious provide...
He left not himself without witness - Though he gave the Gentiles no revelation of his will, yet he continued to govern them by his gracious providence; doing them good in general; giving then rain to fertilize their grounds, and fruitful seasons as the result; so that grass grew for the cattle and corn for the service of man

Clarke: Act 14:17 - -- Filling our hearts with food - Giving as much food as could reasonably be wished, so that gladness, or general happiness, was the result. Such was t...
Filling our hearts with food - Giving as much food as could reasonably be wished, so that gladness, or general happiness, was the result. Such was the gracious provision made for man, at all times, that the economy and bounty of the Divine Being were equally evidenced by it. He never gives less than is necessary, nor more than is sufficient. His economy forbids men to waste, by going them in general no profusion. His bounty forbids them to want, by giving as much as is sufficient for all the natural wants of his creatures. By not giving too much, he prevents luxury and riot: by giving enough, he prevents discontent and misery. Thus he does mankind good, by causing his rain to descend upon the just and the unjust, and his sun to shine upon the evil, and the good. Thus he is said not to have left himself without witness: for his providential dealings are the witnesses of his being, his wisdom, and his bounty; and thus the invisible things of God, even his eternal power and Godhead, were clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made, Rom 1:20. Therefore those who continued to worship stocks and stones were without excuse. These were great and striking truths; and into what detail the apostles now went, we cannot say; but it is likely that they spoke much more than is here related, as the next verse states that, with all these sayings, they found it difficult to prevent the people from offering them sacrifice.

Clarke: Act 14:19 - -- There came thither certain Jews from Antioch - Those were, no doubt, the same who had raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, at Iconium an...
There came thither certain Jews from Antioch - Those were, no doubt, the same who had raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, at Iconium and Antioch, before: they followed the apostles with implacable malice; and what they could not do themselves they endeavored to do by others, whose minds they first perverted, and then irritated to deeds of fell purpose

Clarke: Act 14:19 - -- And having stoned Paul - Alas! of what real worth is popular fame? How uncertain, and how unworthy to be counted! These poor heathens acted just lik...
And having stoned Paul - Alas! of what real worth is popular fame? How uncertain, and how unworthy to be counted! These poor heathens acted just like the people of Malta, Act 28:4-6. When the viper fastened on the hand of Paul, they concluded he was a murderer: when they found it did him no damage, they changed their minds, and said he was a God! When the Lycaonians saw the miracles that Paul did, they said he was the god Mercury: when the persecuting Jews came, they persuaded them that he was an impostor; and then they endeavored to stone him to death

Clarke: Act 14:19 - -- Supposing he had been dead - They did not leave stoning him till they had the fullest evidence that he was dead; and so, most probably, he was.
Supposing he had been dead - They did not leave stoning him till they had the fullest evidence that he was dead; and so, most probably, he was.

Clarke: Act 14:20 - -- The disciples stood round about him - No doubt in earnest prayer, entreating the Author of life that his soul might again return to its battered ten...
The disciples stood round about him - No doubt in earnest prayer, entreating the Author of life that his soul might again return to its battered tenement

Clarke: Act 14:20 - -- He rose up - Miraculously restored, not only to life, but to perfect soundness so that he was able to walk into the city, that his persecutors might...
He rose up - Miraculously restored, not only to life, but to perfect soundness so that he was able to walk into the city, that his persecutors might see the mighty power of God in his restoration, and the faith of the young converts be confirmed in the truth and goodness of God. It is strange that neither the young converts at Lystra, nor Barnabas, were involved in this persecution! It seems to have had Paul alone for its object; and, when they thought they had despatched him, they did not think of injuring the rest.

Clarke: Act 14:21 - -- Preached the Gospel to that city - Derbe, a city in the same province. See on Act 14:6 (note)
Preached the Gospel to that city - Derbe, a city in the same province. See on Act 14:6 (note)

Clarke: Act 14:21 - -- They returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium - Behold the courage of these Christian men! They counted not their lives dear to them, and returned t...
They returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium - Behold the courage of these Christian men! They counted not their lives dear to them, and returned to do their Masters work in the very places in which they had been so grievously persecuted, and where one of them had been apparently stoned to death! The man who knows he is God’ s ambassador, and that his life depends on his fidelity to his Master, knows he has nothing but his God to fear.

Clarke: Act 14:22 - -- Confirming the souls of the disciples - The word disciple signifies literally a scholar. The Church of Christ was a school, in which Christ himself ...
Confirming the souls of the disciples - The word disciple signifies literally a scholar. The Church of Christ was a school, in which Christ himself was chief Master; and his apostles subordinate teachers. All the converts were disciples or scholars, who came to this school to be instructed in the knowledge of themselves and of their God: of their duty to Him, to the Church, to society, and to themselves. After having been initiated in the principles of the heavenly doctrine, they needed line upon line, and precept upon precept, in order that they might be confirmed and established in the truth. Though it was a great and important thing to have their heads, their understanding, properly informed, yet, if the heart was not disciplined, information in the understanding would be of little avail; therefore they confirmed the Souls of the disciples. As there must be some particular standard of truth, to which they might continually resort, that their faith might stand in the power of God, it was necessary that they should have such a system of doctrine as they knew came from God. These doctrines were those which contained all the essential principles of Christianity, and this was called The Faith; and, as they must have sound principles, in order that they might have righteous practices, so it was necessary that they should continue in that faith, that it might produce that obedience, without which even faith itself, however excellent, must be useless and dead
Again, as the spirit of the world would be ever opposed to the spirit of Christ, so they must make up their minds to expect persecution and tribulation in various forms, and therefore had need of confirmed souls and strong faith, that, when trials came, they might meet them with becoming fortitude, and stand unmoved in the cloudy and dark day. And as the mind must faint under trouble that sees no prospect of its termination, and no conviction of its use, it was necessary that they should keep in view the kingdom of God, of which they were subjects, and to which, through their adoption into the heavenly family, they had a Divine right. Hence, from the apostles teaching, they not only learned that they should meet with tribulation, much tribulation, but, for their encouragement, they were also informed that these were the very means which God would use to bring them into his own kingdom; so that, if they had tribulation in the way, they had a heaven of eternal glory as the end to which they were continually to direct their views.

Clarke: Act 14:23 - -- When they had ordained them elders - Elder seems to be here the name of an office. These were all young or new converts, and yet among them the apos...
When they had ordained them elders - Elder seems to be here the name of an office. These were all young or new converts, and yet among them the apostles constitute elders. They appointed persons the most experienced, and the most advanced in the Divine life, to watch over and instruct the rest. But what is the meaning of the word

Clarke: Act 14:23 - -- And had prayed with fasting - This was to implore God’ s special assistance; as they well knew that, without his influence, even their appointm...
And had prayed with fasting - This was to implore God’ s special assistance; as they well knew that, without his influence, even their appointment could avail nothing

Commended them to the Lord - To his especial care and protection.

Clarke: Act 14:24 - -- Passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia - See the note on Act 13:13.
Passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia - See the note on Act 13:13.

Clarke: Act 14:25 - -- They went down into Attalia - This was a sea-port town in Pamphylia. Thus we find the apostles traveled from Derbe to Lystra; from Lystra to Iconium...
They went down into Attalia - This was a sea-port town in Pamphylia. Thus we find the apostles traveled from Derbe to Lystra; from Lystra to Iconium; from Iconium to Antioch of Pisidia; from Antioch to Perga in Pamphylia; and from Perga to Attalia; and it appears that they traveled over three provinces of Asia Minor, Pamphylia, Lycaonia, and Pisidia. See Calmet, and see the map.

Clarke: Act 14:26 - -- And thence sailed to Antioch - This was Antioch in Syria; and to reach which, by sea, they were obliged to coast a part of the Mediterranean Sea, st...
And thence sailed to Antioch - This was Antioch in Syria; and to reach which, by sea, they were obliged to coast a part of the Mediterranean Sea, steering between Cyprus and Cilicia; though they might have gone the whole journey by land

Clarke: Act 14:26 - -- Whence they had been recommended - for the work which they fulfilled - The reader will recollect that it was from this Antioch they had been sent to...
Whence they had been recommended - for the work which they fulfilled - The reader will recollect that it was from this Antioch they had been sent to preach the Gospel to the heathen in Asia Minor: see Act 13:1, Act 13:2; and that they fulfilled that work: see in the same chapter, Act 13:48; and the circumstantial account of their travels and preaching given in this chapter.

Clarke: Act 14:27 - -- Had gathered the Church together - The Church by which they had been sent on this very important and successful mission
Had gathered the Church together - The Church by which they had been sent on this very important and successful mission

Clarke: Act 14:27 - -- They rehearsed all that God had done with them - Not what they had done themselves; but what God made them the instruments of working
They rehearsed all that God had done with them - Not what they had done themselves; but what God made them the instruments of working

Clarke: Act 14:27 - -- And how he had opened the door of faith - How God by his providence and grace had made a way for preaching Christ crucified among the heathen; and h...
And how he had opened the door of faith - How God by his providence and grace had made a way for preaching Christ crucified among the heathen; and how the heathen had received that Gospel which, through faith in Christ Jesus, was able to save their souls.

Clarke: Act 14:28 - -- And there they abode long time - How long the apostles tarried here we cannot tell; but we hear no more of them till the council of Jerusalem, menti...
And there they abode long time - How long the apostles tarried here we cannot tell; but we hear no more of them till the council of Jerusalem, mentioned in the following chapter, which is generally supposed to have been held in the year 51 of our Lord; and, if the transactions of this chapter took place in a.d. 46, as chronologers think, then there are five whole years of St. Paul’ s ministry, and that of other apostles, which St. Luke passes by in perfect silence. It is very likely that all this time Paul and Barnabas were employed in extending the work of God through the different provinces contiguous to Antioch; for St. Paul himself tells us that he preached the Gospel so far as Illyria, Rom 15:19, on the side of the Adriatic Gulf: see its situation on the map. Many of the tribulations and perils through which the Apostle Paul passed are not mentioned by St, Luke, particularly those of which he himself speaks, 2Co 11:23-27. He had been five times scourged by the Jews; thrice beaten by the Romans; thrice shipwrecked; a whole night and day in the deep, probably saving his life upon a plank; besides frequent journeyings, and perils from his countrymen, from the heathen, from robbers, in the city, in the wilderness, in the sea, among false brethren, etc., etc. Of none of these have we any circumstantial account. Probably most of these happened in the five years which elapsed between the apostles’ return to Antioch, and the council of Jerusalem
1. In reading the Acts of the Apostles we may have often occasion to remark that in preaching the Gospel they carefully considered the different circumstances of the Jews and the Gentiles, and suited their address accordingly. When speaking to the former, of the necessity of crediting the Gospel, because without it they could not be saved, they took care to support all their assertions by passages drawn from the Law and the Prophets, as every Jew considered those books to be of Divine authority, and from their decision there was no appeal. But, in addressing the Gentiles, who had no revelation, they drew the proof of their doctrine from the visible creation; and demonstrated, by plain reasoning, the absurdity of their idolatrous worship, and called them off from those vanities to the worship of the living and true God, who made and governs all things, and who gave them such proofs of his being, wisdom, and goodness, in the provision made for their comfort and support, that they had only to reflect on the subject in order to be convinced of its truth. And while, in consequence, they saw the absurdity of their own system, they would at once discover the reasonableness of that religion which was now offered to them, in the name and on the authority of that God who had fed and preserved them all their life long, and girded them when they knew him not. The Gentiles felt the force of these reasonings, yielded to the truth, and became steady followers of Christ crucified; while the Jews, with all their light and advantages, hardened their hearts against it, though they had no other arguments than what contradiction and blasphemy could provide! Publicans and harlots enter into the kingdom of heaven before them. Do not many, even in the present day, copy their example, revile the truth, take up with the shadow instead of the substance, and rest just as much in the letter of Christianity, as ever the Jews did in the letter of the law? This is a deplorable fact which cannot be successfully controverted
2. We have already had occasion to note five years of a chasm in the apostolic history. God himself does not choose to have all the labors and sufferings of his servants recorded. Their recompense is in heaven; and it is enough that God knows their work, who alone can reward it. And yet every faithful servant of God will feel that the reward is all of grace, and not of debt; for the amount of their good is just the sum of what God has condescended to do by them. How studious are men to record the smallest transactions of their lives, while much of the life and labors of Jesus Christ and his apostles are written in the sand, and no longer legible to man; or written before the throne, where they are seen only by God and his angels. In many cases, the silence of Scripture is not less instructive than its most pointed communications
3. We cannot consider the effect produced on the minds of the people of Lystra, without being surprised that a single miracle, wrought instrumentally by men, should excite so much attention and reverence, and that we should be unmoved by the myriads wrought by the immediate hand of God
4. How difficult it is to get men brought to worship God, though they have the highest reasons and most powerful motives for it; and yet how ready are they to offer an incense to man that is due only to God himself! We applaud the apostles for rejecting with horror the sacrifices offered to them: common sense must have taught them this lesson, even independently of their piety. Let us beware that we take not that praise to ourselves which belongs to our Maker. Gross flattery is generally rejected, because a man cannot receive it without being rendered ridiculous; but who rejects even inordinate praise, if it be delicately and artfully prepared!
Calvin: Act 14:17 - -- 17. − Notwithstanding, he did not suffer himself to be without witness Paul and Barnabas take from the Gentiles in this place the cloak [pretext] o...
17. − Notwithstanding, he did not suffer himself to be without witness Paul and Barnabas take from the Gentiles in this place the cloak [pretext] of ignorance. For how greatly soever men please themselves in their own inventions, being at length convicted of error, they fly unto this fortress, [asylums] that they ought to bear no blame; − 35 but that God was rather cruel, who did not vouchsafe so much as. with one hiss to call those back whom he saw perish, [perishing.] Paul and Barnabas cut off − 36 this frivolous objection, when they show that God lay hid in such sort, that he [still] bare witness of himself and his divinity. Notwithstanding, we must see how these two things can hang together; for if God bare witness of himself, he did not suffer (so much as in him lay) the world to err. I answer, that this kind of testimony, whereof mention is made, was such as that it made men without excuse, and yet was it not sufficient to salvation. For that of the apostle is true, that by faith it is understood that the worlds were ordained by the word of God, ( Heb 11:3.) But faith is not conceived by the bare beholding of the heaven and earth, but by the hearing of the word. Whereupon it followeth, that men are brought by the direction of the word alone unto that knowledge of Almighty God which bringeth salvation. And yet this letteth not but that they may be made without excuse, even without the word, who, though they be naturally deprived of light, are blind notwithstanding, through their own malice, as Paul teacheth in the first chapter to the Romans. −
Giving rain and fruitful seasons God hath, indeed, revealed himself to all mankind by his word since [from] the beginning. But Paul and Barnabas show that there was no age on which God did not bestow benefits, which might testify that the world is governed by his government (and commandment;) and because the light of doctrine had been buried long thee, therefore they say only, that God was showed by natural arguments, [evidences.] And it is to be thought that they did, in such sort, set forth the magnificence and greatness of the works of God as became them; but it was sufficient for Luke to touch the (sums and) chief points of matters. Neither do I so understand it, that they intreated subtlety, and after the manner of the philosophers, of the secrets of nature, for they spake unto an unlearned multitude; therefore it behooved them to set that before them plainly which the most ignorant did know. Notwithstanding they take this principle, that in the order of nature there is a certain and evident manifestation of God, in that the earth is watered with rain; in that the heat of the sun doth comfort it; − 37 in that there cometh such abundance of fruit out of the same yearly, it is thereby gathered for a surety, that there is some God who governeth all things. For even the heaven and earth are not moved or governed by their own motion, and much less by fortune. Therefore it remaineth, that this wonderful workmanship of nature doth manifestly show the providence of God; and those who said that the world was eternal spake not as they thought, but they went about by malicious and barbarous unthankfulness [ingratitude] to suppress the glory of God, wherein they betrayed their impudence. −
Filling with meat and gladness The ungodliness of men is more convict in that, if they knew not God, because he cloth not only set before their eyes testimonies of his glory in his works, but doth also appoint all things for their use. For why doth the sun and stars shine in the heavens, save only that they may serve men? Why doth the rain fall from heaven? Why doth the earth bring forth her increase, save only that they may minister food to men? Therefore, God hath not set man upon earth that he may be an idle beholder of his work, as being set upon a theater, but to exercise himself in praising the liberality of God, whilst that he enjoyeth the riches of heaven and earth. And now, is it not more than filthy forwardness [depravity] not to be moved with so great goodness of God in the manifold abundance of things? To fill the hearts with meat, doth signify nothing else but to give food which may satisfy the desires of men. By this word gladness, Paul and Barnabas do mean that God doth give more to men, according to his infinite goodness, than their necessity doth require; as if it had been said, that men have meat given them not only to refresh their strength, but also to make their hearts merry. −
If any man do object that it falleth out so oftentimes that men do rather mourn, being hungry, then rejoice, being full; I answer, that that cometh to pass contrary to the order of nature; namely, when the Lord shutteth his hand because of the sins of men. For the liberality of God should flow unto us abundantly of his [its] own accord, as it is here described by Paul and Barnabas, unless it were kept back by the lets of our vices. And yet there was never so great barrenness wherein the blessing of God in feeding men did quite wither away. It was, indeed, well said of the prophet, Open thy mouth, and I will fill it, ( Psa 81:10,) that we may know that we be hungry through our own fault, whilst that we do not admit the goodness of God. But how unworthy soever we be and straight, − 38 yet the fatherly love of God breaketh through even unto the unworthy. Especially the generality of mankind doth testify that the benefits of God do never cease, wherein he appeareth to be our Father. −

Calvin: Act 14:18 - -- 18.When they had said thus Luke said before that they did not only use words, but they ran also with violence into the multitude. − 39 Now he addet...
18.When they had said thus Luke said before that they did not only use words, but they ran also with violence into the multitude. − 39 Now he addeth, that the fury of the people was scarce appeased − 40 with that vehemency, whereby appeareth how mad and untamed the heat of the world is toward idolatry. For if they believe the [them] gods, why do they not believe their word, whereby they put from them false honor? But all idolaters are sick of this disease, that they are oftentimes ready to shake off the yoke, unless religion be subject to their will and pleasure. Wherefore, no marvel if the prophets say oftentimes that men are carried into the blind affection of superstitions, even as brute beasts are carried into their lust.

Calvin: Act 14:19 - -- 19.There came Paul and Barnabas can hardly stay the people from doing sacrifice; but a company of knaves do, with small ado, persuade them to stone P...
19.There came Paul and Barnabas can hardly stay the people from doing sacrifice; but a company of knaves do, with small ado, persuade them to stone Paul, whom of late they made a god. Whereby appeareth how much more men be bent unto superstition than unto the true worship of God, and how arrogant superstition is, which will always bear the chief sway in appointing the worship of God. The servants of God seek no other thing but to bring men under obedience of him, which is salvation and felicity alone. They challenge to themselves no lordship, they hunt after no gain; and yet the world cannot abide them. For almost all men murmur; and now and then there rise tumults. Those who are thus stubborn against God, they be too ready to believe seducers, and willingly submit themselves to their tyranny. So the Pope had liberty to deceive at his pleasure, and not only to oppress miserable souls with slavery, but also cruelly to torment them. Whatsoever he commanded it was obediently received, and even at this day, though he make impossible laws, yet dare no man once mutter against them. Nevertheless, the yoke of Christ is sweet, ( Mat 11:30,) and yet few there be who will suffer it. −
Therefore, in this history is most lively painted out unto us the forwardness of the world. Paul might have reigned under the title of Mercury, with the commendation of all men; he will not be a god. Because he serveth Christ faithfully, he is stoned. His constancy is commended, to the end we may follow it. He was indeed wonderfully delivered by the Lord; but as touching himself he suffered a most cruel kind of death. Therefore, we must make like account of this testimony, which he doth also recite in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, ( 2Co 11:25,) as if he had been slain. Furthermore, we need not doubt but that the common sort made insurrection against him outrageously. − 41 So that, what violence soever the wicked do to the servants of Christ, it is never called in question; the laws are whist, [silent;] judgments cease; the magistrate is asleep; there is no patron to be found. −

Calvin: Act 14:20 - -- 20.As the disciples Though no man defended Paul, yet Luke showeth that the godly were desirous of his life; − 42 yet they did so moderate themselve...
20.As the disciples Though no man defended Paul, yet Luke showeth that the godly were desirous of his life; − 42 yet they did so moderate themselves, lest they should attempt anything with great danger to no end, seeing they could not help him unless it were done privily. And surely we must always mark what the Lord hath brought to our hand. If I, standing upon the bank, shall see a man in the midst of the water, and cannot reach him my hand when he is like to be drowned, − 43 what is remaining for me to do but to commend him to the Lord? And [but] if there be any hope to help him, then must I endanger myself. − 44 Therefore, we will not say that Saint Paul was left alone by the disciples through sloth, seeing they could not help him; and they declare their love and care when they stand about him after he is cast out. −
They went to Derbe It appeareth plainly by this that Paul was miraculously saved, seeing that, on the morrow, after he was cast out for dead, he taketh his journey, being fresh and sound; whence it is also gathered what an invincible heart he bare against all evils and afflictions. For he creepeth not into a corner, where, like an overworn soldier, he may live idly; but he goeth to the same places where he was uncourteously and cruelly handled but a little before. Notwithstanding Luke showeth that the church was first planted among the men of Derbe, he addeth afterward, that Paul and Barnabas returned unto the churches which they had ordained, that they might confirm the disciples; whereby by he giveth us to understand that the use of the Word consisteth not in instruction only, whereby the hearer is only taught, but that it is also available for confirmation of faith, in admonishing, exhorting, and reproving. And Christ doth not only command his ministers to teach, but also to exhort; and Paul saith that the Scripture is profitable not only to teach, but also to exhort, ( Tit 3:16.) Wherefore, let not pastors think that they have done their duty as they ought, when they have well trained up their people in true knowledge, unless they employ themselves to this part also. Again, let not the faithful neglect the Word of God, as if the reading and preaching thereof were unnecessary; because there is no man who hath not need of continual confirmation. −

Calvin: Act 14:22 - -- 22.And exhorting them This was the principal way to confirm, in that they provoke the disciples who had before embraced the Gospel and did profess it...
22.And exhorting them This was the principal way to confirm, in that they provoke the disciples who had before embraced the Gospel and did profess it, to go forward by exhorting them; for we are far from being so ready and stout − 45 as we ought. Therefore our laziness needeth pricks, and our coldness must be warmed. But because God will have his exercised with diverse combats, Paul and Barnabas admonish the disciples to be ready to suffer tribulation. A very necessary admonition, that we must go on warfare in this world, that we may live well and godly. If the flesh should not molest us, if Satan should attempt nothing, if the wicked should not trouble us with some stumbling-blocks, it were no such troublesome thing to persevere; because that were a sweet walk through a soft and pleasant way; but because there arise on every side, and every minute of an hour, [moment,] infinite assaults, which provoke us to fall away, there ariseth the hardness, − 46 and therefore is it that the virtue of constancy is so rare. Therefore, to the end we may persist even unto the end, we must be prepared for war. −
But Luke speaketh not in this place only of the persecutions which the adversaries raise against us with drawn swords and flaming fires; but he comprehendeth under the word tribulations, all sorrows and miseries whereunto the life of the godly is subject; not because the faithful alone are miserable; because this is the common state both of the good and bad. Whence also cometh that famous proverb, It is the best not to be born; and the next to die very quickly. − 47 But when as God doth oftentimes spare the wicked, and doth fat them with prosperity, he is more sharp and hard, − 48 toward his children. For besides common molestations, they are oppressed peculiarly with many discommodities, and the Lord doth humble them with such exercises, keeping their flesh under correction lest it wax wanton; he awaketh them, lest they lie sleeping upon earth. Unto these are added the reproaches and slanders of the wicked; for they must be, as it were, the offscourings of the world. Their simpleness is laughed at; but they use − 49 wicked mocks and scoffs, principally against God. Last of all, the lust of the wicked breaketh out into open violence; so that they have need to strive − 50 with many tribulations, and it cannot be but that all their life shall be envied and unquiet amidst so many enemies. But this is the best comfort, and which is sufficient enough to confirm their minds, that this way (though it be hard and sharp) leadeth unto the kingdom of heaven. For we gather by this that the miseries of the godly are more happy than be all the doting dainties and delights of the world. −
Therefore, let us remember, first, that this condition is set down for us, that we suffer many tribulations; yet let us also remember to add this, to mitigate the bitterness thereof, that by them we be brought unto the kingdom of God. Furthermore, their babbling is frivolous, − 51 who gather hereby that patience is a work which deserveth eternal salvation, seeing that the cause of salvation is not in this place handled, but after what sort God useth to handle his in this world; and the comfort is added, not to extol the dignity and merit of works, but only to encourage the godly, that they faint not under the burden of the cross. All mankind, as we have said before, as well one as other, is subject to many miseries; but the afflictions of the reprobate are no thing else to them but the very entry of hell; but these turn to the saints to an happy and joyful end, and for them they fall out well; and so, consequently, they be helps for salvation, because they take part with Christ. − 52 We must note that Paul and Barnabas being not content with the plural number, do plainly set down many tribulations, lest any man, after he hath suffered one or two, or − 53 a few, do at length sink down. − 54 Therefore, let the faithful think that they must pass through continual miseries; that done, let them prepare themselves not for one kind of persecution only, but for diverse kinds. For though God handle some men more courteously and gently, yet doth he pamper none of his so daintily that he is free from all tribulations.

Calvin: Act 14:23 - -- 23.When they had ordained elders By this it appeareth sufficiently, that it is not enough if men have been once taught the doctrine of godliness, and...
23.When they had ordained elders By this it appeareth sufficiently, that it is not enough if men have been once taught the doctrine of godliness, and to have [hold] the sum of faith, unless they go forward continually; therefore, Christ did not only send his apostles to preach the gospel, but he commanded also that there should be pastors appointed, that the preaching of the gospel might be perpetual and in daily use. Paul and Barnabas do mark that this order was set down by Christ, when they assigned pastors to every church, lest, after their departure, doctrine should cease and be whisht, (silent.) Furthermore, this place teacheth, that the Church cannot want an ordinary ministry, neither can any be counted Christians before God but those who, during their whole life, are willing to learn. I take it that those are called elders, in this place, who had the office of teaching enjoined them; for it appeareth by Paul that some were only censors of manners, and such as had authority to punish enormities, ( 1Ti 5:17.) Now, forasmuch as Luke saith, that they were set over every church, the difference between their office and the office of the apostles is gathered hence. For the apostles had no certain place of abode, but they went to and fro to found new churches; but pastors were set and appointed, every man to his own church, and were, as it were, placed to watch − 55 over their congregations. −
Had ordained by election The Greek word
They having prayed with fasting They had a double end and reason of their prayer; the first, that God would direct them with the spirit of wisdom and discretion to choose the best and most meet men, for they knew that they were not furnished with so great wisdom but they might be deceived; neither did they so much trust to their diligence, but that they knew that the principal point did consist in the blessing of God, as we see men’s judgments err daily where the heavenly government is not, and that all their labor is nothing worth where the hand of God is not. These be the true signs and tokens − 60 of the godly to call upon the Spirit of God, that he may govern their counsels. And if so be it this rule be to be observed in all businesses so often as the government of the Church is in hand, which dependeth wholly upon his will and pleasure, we must − 61 beware that we attempt nothing unless we have him for our guide and governor. And the second end of their prayer was, that God would furnish with necessary gifts those pastors which were chosen. For it is a harder matter to fulfill such a function faithfully as a man ought, than that man’s strength is sufficient for it. Therefore, they crave God’s help even in this part also, having Paul and Barnabas for their authors. −
They fast likewise, that even that may be a help − 62 to stir up the ferventness of their prayers; for we know how great our coldness is otherwise. Not because it is always necessary that we should pray fasting, seeing that God doth invite even those who are full to give thanks; but when we are urged by any necessity to pray more fervently than we used commonly to do, this is a very profitable provokement. And now we have already declared what a weighty matter the choosing of pastors is, wherein the soundness of the Church is handled. Wherefore, no marvel if Luke write that they used extraordinary prayers. And it is profitable for us to mark this use, and other [uses] of fasting, lest we imagine with the Papists that it is a meritorious work, or lest we place the worship of God in it, seeing it is of itself nothing, neither is it of any importance with God, save only inasmuch as it is referred unto another end. − 63 −
They committed themselves to the Lord We gather hereby, first, what great care Paul and Barnabas had for the salvation of those who, by their industry, − 64 were turned unto the Lord; for they testify, that in this infirmity of the flesh men be subject to more dangers, than that their faith can continue steadfast through his [its] own strength. Therefore, this is the only refuge and aid, if the Lord keep them continually whom he hath once received. And when Luke saith, that they were commended to God in whom they believed, there cometh no small confidence hence unto us; because he assigneth this office to God as proper to him, to save and defend all those who by true faith have embraced his word. −

Calvin: Act 14:24 - -- 24.Passing through Pisidia We have already said that Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch of Pisidia. Being now about to return to Antioch of Syria, whe...
24.Passing through Pisidia We have already said that Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch of Pisidia. Being now about to return to Antioch of Syria, whence they were sent away, they go through Pamphylia, which is the middle region toward the mount Taurus. And Perga and Attalia are cities lying near together. And whereas Luke saith, that they preach the Word in the one only, we may thereby guess that they had not opportunity offered them everywhere to teach, which they were wont to neglect or let pass nowhere. −

Calvin: Act 14:26 - -- 26.When they had been commended Luke might have said that they were ordained there to be the apostles of the Gentiles; but by a circuit of words − ...
26.When they had been commended Luke might have said that they were ordained there to be the apostles of the Gentiles; but by a circuit of words − 65 he doth more plainly express that they were neither sent away of men, neither did they attempt any thing trusting to their own strength, but that their whole journey, together with the success, was committed to God, the author thereof. Therefore, their preaching was no man’s work, but a work of the grace of God. And the word grace is referred as well unto the power and efficacy of the Spirit, as also unto all the rest of the signs of favor; because all those gifts be free which God bestoweth upon his servants. And the sentence may be thus resolved, that they prayed God that he would show forth his grace to further the labors of his servants. −

Calvin: Act 14:27 - -- 27.After they had called the Church together As those who return from an embassage used to give an account of their acts, so Paul and Barnabas declar...
27.After they had called the Church together As those who return from an embassage used to give an account of their acts, so Paul and Barnabas declared to the Church all the sum of their voyage, that it may thereby appear what good success they had, and how faithfully they behaved themselves in their office; and also that they may exhort the faithful to give thanks to God, as the thing itself gave them large matter; − 66 therefore Luke saith, Not that they did extol the things which they themselves had done, but whatsoever things the Lord had done by them. It is word for word with them; but according to the phrase of the Hebrew tongue, it is all one as if it had been said, in them, or by them, or towards them, or simply to them, in the dative case. Therefore Luke doth not say
Luke addeth immediately after, that the Lord had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles; for though they were sent unto the Gentiles, yet the strangeness [novelty] of the matter causeth them to wonder not a little; and not only the sudden change did make the Jews astonished, but also because it was to them as it were a monster, that unclean men, and such as were strangers − 67 from the kingdom of God, should be mixed with the holy seed of Abraham, that they might both together make one and ‘the same Church of God. They are now taught by the event itself, that it was not for nothing that there were apostles sent to them. Moreover, it is said that the door of faith was set open to the Gentiles, not only because the gospel was preached to them with the external voice, but because, being illuminated by the Spirit of God, they were called effectually unto the faith. The kingdom of heaven is indeed set open to us by the external preaching of the gospel; but no man entereth in save he to whom God reacheth out his hand; no man draweth near unless he be drawn inwardly by the Spirit. Therefore, Paul and Barnabas show and prove by the effect that their calling was approved and ratified by God, because the faith of the Gentiles was, as it were, a seal engraven by the hand of God to establish the same, as Paul saith, ( Rom 16:25; 2Co 3:7.)
Defender: Act 14:17 - -- In addition to God's testimony to Himself in the power and order manifest in the physical creation (Psa 19:1; Rom 1:20), men should be able to discern...
In addition to God's testimony to Himself in the power and order manifest in the physical creation (Psa 19:1; Rom 1:20), men should be able to discern Him also as a God of grace and love. Even though as a result of sin and the curse "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Rom 8:22), and man has to eat of his labors "in sorrow" (Gen 3:17), nevertheless life goes on and provision is made for "food and gladness" even in a world of pain. Therefore men should know, even if they don't, that there is a God of all creation - a God who makes provision for life even while He must invoke the death-wages of sin."

Defender: Act 14:19 - -- The bitter vindictiveness of the enemies of the gospel is seen in the fact that these Jews came over 100 miles to try to destroy Paul and his gospel.
The bitter vindictiveness of the enemies of the gospel is seen in the fact that these Jews came over 100 miles to try to destroy Paul and his gospel.

Defender: Act 14:19 - -- Paul had stood by approving the stoning of Stephen, so now God allowed him to suffer the same. In all probability, he was stoned to death: his murdere...
Paul had stood by approving the stoning of Stephen, so now God allowed him to suffer the same. In all probability, he was stoned to death: his murderers observed him at length as they carried him out of the city."

Defender: Act 14:20 - -- This was certainly a miracle, very likely a miracle of restoration of life out of death. It is quite possible that this was the occasion in which Paul...
This was certainly a miracle, very likely a miracle of restoration of life out of death. It is quite possible that this was the occasion in which Paul was "caught up to the third heaven" and granted marvelous "revelations" of "paradise" (2Co 12:2, 2Co 12:4, 2Co 12:7). The disciples who saw this probably included Timothy (Act 16:1)."

Defender: Act 14:21 - -- It is a testimony to Paul's courage and faith, as well as his concern for their new converts, that he would return so quickly to the cities where he h...
It is a testimony to Paul's courage and faith, as well as his concern for their new converts, that he would return so quickly to the cities where he had just been so viciously attacked. He could easily have proceeded on to his home in nearby Tarsus."

Defender: Act 14:22 - -- Paul realized that, if these new disciples were really to "continue in the faith" (compare Joh 8:31), they needed to be organized into local churches ...
Paul realized that, if these new disciples were really to "continue in the faith" (compare Joh 8:31), they needed to be organized into local churches and taught more concerning their place in God's plan. This included recognition that all true believers will be opposed by Satan and ungodly men and so must undergo tribulations. This does not mean, however, that the final generation of believers (any more than any previous generation) will go through the "great tribulation" which will be visited by God on a rebellious world in the last days (Mat 24:21; 1Th 5:9). In the meantime, however, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2Ti 3:12), and new believers need to understand this."

Defender: Act 14:23 - -- This is not the usual word for "ordained." It means, "stretched out the hand," thus suggesting an election by show of hands."
This is not the usual word for "ordained." It means, "stretched out the hand," thus suggesting an election by show of hands."

Defender: Act 14:27 - -- This might be called the first missionary conference, with Paul and Barnabas, the church's "apostles" (literally "sent ones," essentially the same as ...
This might be called the first missionary conference, with Paul and Barnabas, the church's "apostles" (literally "sent ones," essentially the same as "missionaries") reporting the results of their journey to the church that had sent them. They reported on what "God had done with them." Note also 1Sa 30:24, on the importance of those who "tarrieth by the stuff.""

This time was evidently about two years."
TSK: Act 14:17 - -- he left : Act 17:27, Act 17:28; Psa 19:1-4; Rom 1:19, Rom 1:20
in that : Psa 36:5-7, Psa 52:1, Psa 104:24-28, Psa 145:9, Psa 145:15, Psa 145:16; Luk 6...
he left : Act 17:27, Act 17:28; Psa 19:1-4; Rom 1:19, Rom 1:20
in that : Psa 36:5-7, Psa 52:1, Psa 104:24-28, Psa 145:9, Psa 145:15, Psa 145:16; Luk 6:35
and gave : Lev 26:4; Deu 11:14, Deu 28:12; 1Ki 18:1; Job 5:10, Job 37:6, Job 38:26-28; Psa 65:9-13, Psa 68:9, Psa 68:10, Psa 147:7, Psa 147:8; Isa 5:6; Jer 5:24, Jer 14:22; Mat 5:45; Jam 5:17, Jam 5:18
filling : Deu 8:12-14; Neh 9:25; Isa 22:13; 1Ti 6:17


TSK: Act 14:19 - -- Cir, am 4051, ad 47
there : Act 13:45, Act 13:50,Act 13:51, Act 17:13
persuaded : Mat 27:20-25; Mar 15:11-14
having : Act 7:58, Act 9:16, Act 22:20; 2...

TSK: Act 14:20 - -- as : Act 20:9-12; 2Co 1:9, 2Co 1:10, 2Co 6:9; Rev 11:7-12
came : Act 12:17, Act 16:40, Act 20:1
Derbe : Act 14:6, Act 16:1
as : Act 20:9-12; 2Co 1:9, 2Co 1:10, 2Co 6:9; Rev 11:7-12

TSK: Act 14:21 - -- taught many : Gr. made many disciples, Mat 28:19 *Gr.
Lystra : Act 14:1, Act 14:6, Act 14:8, Act 14:19, Act 13:14, Act 13:51, Act 15:36, Act 16:2; 2Ti...

TSK: Act 14:22 - -- Confirming : Act 15:32, Act 15:41, Act 18:23; Isa 35:3; 1Co 1:8; 1Th 3:2-4, 1Th 3:13; 1Pe 5:10
exhorting : Act 11:23, Act 13:43; Joh 8:31, Joh 8:32, J...
Confirming : Act 15:32, Act 15:41, Act 18:23; Isa 35:3; 1Co 1:8; 1Th 3:2-4, 1Th 3:13; 1Pe 5:10
exhorting : Act 11:23, Act 13:43; Joh 8:31, Joh 8:32, Joh 15:4-6, Joh 15:9, Joh 15:10; Col 1:23; Jud 1:3, Jud 1:20,Jud 1:21
we : Mat 10:21, Mat 10:22, Mat 10:38, Mat 16:24; Luk 22:28, Luk 22:29, Luk 24:26; Joh 12:25, Joh 12:26, Joh 16:1, Joh 16:2, Joh 16:33; Rom 8:17; 1Th 3:4; 2Ti 1:8, 2Ti 2:11, 2Ti 2:12, 2Ti 3:12; 1Pe 4:12-16; Rev 2:10, Rev 7:14
enter : Mat 19:24; Mar 9:47, Mar 10:24, Mar 10:25; Joh 3:5; 2Pe 1:11

TSK: Act 14:23 - -- they had : Act 1:22; Mar 3:14; 1Ti 5:22; 2Ti 2:2; Tit 1:5
elders : Act 11:30, Act 15:4, Act 15:6, Act 15:23, Act 20:17; 1Ti 5:1, 1Ti 5:17-19; Jam 5:14...
they had : Act 1:22; Mar 3:14; 1Ti 5:22; 2Ti 2:2; Tit 1:5
elders : Act 11:30, Act 15:4, Act 15:6, Act 15:23, Act 20:17; 1Ti 5:1, 1Ti 5:17-19; Jam 5:14; 1Pe 5:1; 2Jo 1:1; 3Jo 1:1
and had : Act 13:1-3
they commended : Act 14:26, Act 20:32; Luk 23:46; 1Th 3:12, 1Th 3:13; 2Th 2:16, 2Th 2:17; 2Ti 1:12; 1Pe 5:10

TSK: Act 14:24 - -- Cir, am 4052, ad 48
Pisidia : Pisidia was a province of Asia Minor, situated between Phrygia on the north and west, Lycaonia on the east, and Pamphyli...

TSK: Act 14:25 - -- Perga : Perga was a considerable city of Pamphylia, towards the sea coast, and near the Caystrus, famous for the temple of Diana.
Attalia : Attalia, n...
Perga : Perga was a considerable city of Pamphylia, towards the sea coast, and near the Caystrus, famous for the temple of Diana.
Attalia : Attalia, now Antalia, or Satalie, was a maritime city of Pamphylia, the chief residence of the prefect. Act 14:25

TSK: Act 14:26 - -- to Antioch : Act 11:19, Act 11:26, Act 13:1, Act 15:22, Act 15:30; Gal 2:11
recommended : Act 14:23, Act 13:1-3, Act 15:40, Act 20:32; 2Co 1:12; 3Jo 1...

TSK: Act 14:27 - -- and had : Act 15:4-6, Act 21:20-22; 1Co 5:4, 1Co 11:18, 1Co 14:23
they rehearsed : Act 15:4, Act 15:12, Act 21:19; Rom 15:18; 1Co 3:5-9, 1Co 15:10
ope...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Act 14:17 - -- Nevertheless - Though he gave them no revelation. He left not himself without witness - He gave demonstration of his existence and of his...
Nevertheless - Though he gave them no revelation.
He left not himself without witness - He gave demonstration of his existence and of his moral character.
In that he did good - By doing good. The manner in which he did it, Paul immediately specifies. Idols did not do good; they conferred no favors, and were, therefore, unworthy of confidence.
And gave us rain from heaven - Rain from above - from the clouds, Mar 8:11; Luk 9:54; Luk 17:29; Luk 21:11; Joh 6:31-32. Rain is one of the evidences of the goodness of God. Man could not cause it; and without it, regulated at proper intervals of time and in proper quantities, the earth would soon be one wide scene of desolation. There is scarcely anything which more certainly indicates unceasing care and wisdom than the needful and refreshing showers of rain. The sun and stars move by fixed laws, whose operation we can see and anticipate. The falling of rain is regulated by laws which We cannot trace, and it seems, therefore, to be poured, as it were, directly from God’ s hollow hand, Psa 147:8, "Who covereth the heaven with clouds; who prepareth rain for the earth."
And fruitful seasons - Seasons when the earth produces abundance. It is remarkable, and a striking proof of the divine goodness, that so few seasons are unfruitful. The earth yields her increase; the labors of the farmer are crowned with success; and the goodness of God demands the expressions of praise. God does not forget his ancient covenant Gen 8:22, though man forgets it, and disregards his great Benefactor.
Filling our hearts with food - The word "hearts"is used here as a Hebraism, to denote "persons"themselves; filling us with food, etc. Compare Mat 12:40.
Gladness - Joy; comfort the comfort arising from the supply of our constantly returning needs. This is proof of everwatchful goodness. It is a demonstration at once that there is a God, and that he is good. It would be easy for God to withdraw these blessings, and leave us to want. A single word, or a single deviation from the fullness of benevolence, would blast all these comforts, and leave us to lamentation, woe, and death, Psa 104:27-29; Psa 145:15-16.

Barnes: Act 14:18 - -- And with these sayings - With these arguments. Scarce restrained they the people - They were so fully satisfied that the gods had appeare...
And with these sayings - With these arguments.
Scarce restrained they the people - They were so fully satisfied that the gods had appeared, and were so full of zeal to do them honor.

Barnes: Act 14:19 - -- And there came thither certain Jews - Not satisfied with having expelled them from Antioch and Iconium, they still pursued them. Persecutors of...
And there came thither certain Jews - Not satisfied with having expelled them from Antioch and Iconium, they still pursued them. Persecutors often exhibit a zeal and perseverance in a bad cause which it would be well if Christians evinced in a holy cause. Bad people will often travel further to do evil than good people will to do good; and wicked people often show more zeal in opposing the gospel than professed Christians do in advancing it.
Antioch and Iconium - See the notes on Act 13:14, Act 13:51.
Who persuaded the people - That they were impostors; and who excited their rage against them.
And having stoned Paul - Whom they were just before ready to worship as a god! What a striking instance of the fickleness and instability of idolaters! And what a striking instance of the instability and uselessness of mere popularity! Just before they were ready to adore him; now they sought to put him to death. Nothing is more fickle than popular favor. The unbounded admiration of a man may soon be changed into unbounded indignation and contempt. It was well for Paul that he was not seeking this popularity, and that he did not depend on it for happiness. He had a good conscience; he was engaged in a good cause; he was under the protection of God; and his happiness was to be sought from a higher source than the applause of people, "fluctuating and uncertain as the waves of the sea."To this transaction Paul referred when he enumerated his trials in 2Co 11:25, "Once was I stoned."
Drew him out of the city - Probably in haste, and in popular rage, as if he was unfit to be in the city, and was unworthy of a decent burial; for it does not appear that they contemplated an interment but indignantly dragged him beyond the walls of the city to leave him there. Such sufferings and trials it cost to establish that religion in the world which has shed so many blessings on man; which now crowns us with comfort; which saves us from the abominations and degradations of idolatry here, and from the pains of hell hereafter.
Supposing he had been dead - The next verse shows that he was really not dead, though many commentators, as well as the Jews, have supposed that he was, and was miraculously restored to life. It is remarkable that Barnabas was not exposed to this popular fury. But it is to be remembered that Paul was the chief speaker, and it was his special zeal that exposed him to this tumult.

Barnes: Act 14:20 - -- Howbeit - Notwithstanding the supposition that he was dead. As the disciples stood round about him - It would seem that they did not supp...
Howbeit - Notwithstanding the supposition that he was dead.
As the disciples stood round about him - It would seem that they did not suppose I that he was dead; but might be expecting that he would revive.
He rose up ... - Most commentators have supposed that this was the effect of a miracle. They have maintained that he could not have risen so soon, and entered into the city, without the interposition of miraculous power (Calvin, Doddridge, Clarke, etc.). But the commentators have asserted what is not intimated by the sacred penman. The probability is that he was stunned by a blow - perhaps a single blow and after a short time recovered from it. Nothing is more common than thus by a violent blow on the head to be rendered apparently lifeless, the effect of which soon is over, and the person restored to strength. Pricaeus and Wetstein suppose that Paul feigned himself to be dead, and when out of danger rose and returned to the city. But this is wholly improbable.
And came into the city - It is remarkable that he should have returned again into the same city. But probably it was only among the new converts that he showed himself. The Jews supposed that he was dead; and it does not appear that he again exposed himself to their rage.
And the next day ... - The opposition here was such that it was vain to attempt to preach there any longer. Having been seen by the disciples after his supposed death, their faith was confirmed, and he departed to preach in another place.
To Derbe - Act 14:6.

Barnes: Act 14:21 - -- Had taught many - Or, rather, had made many disciples (margin). To Lystra - Act 14:6. And to Iconium - Act 14:1. We have here a rem...
Had taught many - Or, rather, had made many disciples (margin).
To Lystra - Act 14:6.
And to Iconium - Act 14:1. We have here a remarkable instance of the courage of the apostles. In these very places they had been persecuted and stoned, and yet in the face of danger they ventured to return. The welfare of the infant churches they deemed of more consequence than their own safety; and they threw themselves again into the midst of danger, to comfort and strengthen those just converted to God. There are times when ministers should not count their own lives. dear to them Act 20:24, but when they should fearlessly throw themselves into the midst of danger, confiding only in the protecting care of their God and Saviour.

Barnes: Act 14:22 - -- Confirming - "strengthening" ἐπιστηρίζοντες epistērizontes . The expression "to confirm"as in some churches a technical...
Confirming - "strengthening"
The souls - The minds, the hearts, or the disciples themselves.
Disciples - They were as yet scholars, or learners, and the apostles returned to instruct them further in the doctrines of Christ.
And exhorting them ... - Act 13:43.
In the faith - In the belief of the gospel.
And that we must -
(1) Because such is the opposition of the world to pure religion that it cannot be avoided. Of this they had had striking demonstration in Lystra and Iconium.
\caps1 (2) i\caps0 t is necessary to reclaim us from wandering, and to keep us in the path of duty, Psa 119:67, Psa 119:71.
\caps1 (3) i\caps0 t is necessary to wean us from the world; to keep before our minds the great truth that we have here "no continuing city and no abiding place."Trial here makes us pant for a world of rest. The opposition of sinners makes us desire that world where "the wicked shall cease from troubling,"and where there shall be eternal friendship and peace.
\caps1 (4) w\caps0 hen we are persecuted and afflicted, we may remember that it has been the lot of Christians from the beginning. We tread a path that has been watered by the tears of the saints, and rendered sacred by the shedding of the best blood on the earth. The Saviour trod that path; and it is enough that the "disciple be as his master, and the servant as his lord,"Mat 10:24-25.
Through much tribulation - Through many afflictions.
Enter into the kingdom of God - Be saved. Enter into heaven. See the notes on Mat 3:2.

Barnes: Act 14:23 - -- And widen they had ordained - χειροτονήσαντες cheirotonēsantes . The word "ordain"we now use in an ecclesiastical sense...
And widen they had ordained -
Ordained them - Appointed for the disciples, or for the church. It is not meant that the elders were ordained for the apostles.
Elders - Greek: presbyters. Literally, this word refers to the aged. See the notes on Act 11:30. But it may also be a word relating to office, denoting those who were more experienced than others, and who were chosen to preside over and to instruct the rest. What was the nature of this office, and what was the design of the appointment, is not intimated in this word. All that seems to be implied is, that they were to take the charge of the churches during the absence of the apostles. The apostles were about to leave them. They were just organized into churches: they were inexperienced; they needed counsel and direction; they were exposed to dangers; and it was necessary, therefore, that persons should be designated to watch over the spiritual interests of the brethren. The probability is, that they performed all the functions that were required in the infant and feeble churches; in exhorting, instructing; governing, etc. The more experienced and able would be most likely to be active in exhorting and instructing the brethren; and all would be useful in counseling and guiding the flock. The same thing occurred in the church at Ephesus. See the notes on Act 20:17-28. It is not improbable that the business of instructing, or teaching, would be gradually confined to the more talented and able of the elders, and that the others would be concerned mainly in governing and directing the general affairs of the church.
In every church - It is implied here that there were elders in each church; that is, that in each church there was more than one. See Act 15:21, where a similar phraseology occurs, and where it is evident that there was more than one reader of the Law of Moses in each city. Compare Tit 1:5, "I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst ...ordain elders in every city"; Act 20:17, "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."It could not mean, therefore, that they appointed a single minister or pastor to each church, but they committed the whole affairs of the church to a bench of elders.
And had prayed with fasting - With the church. They were about to leave them. They had entrusted the interests of the church to a body of men chosen for this purpose; and they now commended the church and its elders together to God. Probably they had no prospect of seeing them again, and they parted as ministers and people should part, and as Christian friends should part, with humble prayer, commending themselves to the protecting care of God.
They commended them ... - They committed the infant church to the guardianship of the Lord. They were feeble, inexperienced, and exposed to dangers; but in his hands they were safe.
To the Lord ... - The Lord Jesus. The connection shows that he is particularly referred to. In his hands the redeemed are secure. When we part with Christian friends, we may, with confidence, leave them in his holy care and keeping.

Barnes: Act 14:24 - -- Throughout Pisidia - See the note at Act 13:14. They came to Pamphylia - See the notes on Act 13:13. These places they had visited before...

Barnes: Act 14:25 - -- In Perga - See the notes on Act 13:13. They went down into Attalia - "Attalia had something of the same relation to Perga which Cadiz has...
In Perga - See the notes on Act 13:13.
They went down into Attalia - "Attalia had something of the same relation to Perga which Cadiz has to Seville. In each case the latter city is approached by a river voyage, and the former is more conveniently placed on the open sea. Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamus, whose dominions extended from the northwestern corner of Asia Miner to the Sea of Pamphylia, had built this city in a convenient position for commanding the trade of Syria or Egypt. When Alexander the Great passed this way, no such city was in existence; but since the days of the kings of Pergamus, who inherited a fragment of his vast empire, Attalia has always existed and flourished, retaining the name of the monarch who built it. Its ancient site is not now certainly known"(Life and Epistles of Paul, vol. i. pp. 200, 201). It is probable that it is the modern Satalia.

Barnes: Act 14:26 - -- And thence sailed to Antioch - See the note at Act 11:19. From whence they had been recommended ... - Where they had been appointed to th...
And thence sailed to Antioch - See the note at Act 11:19.
From whence they had been recommended ... - Where they had been appointed to this missionary tour by the church, Act 13:1-4.
To the grace of God - His favor and protection had been implored for them in their perilous undertaking.
For the work which they fulfilled - This shows conclusively:
(1) That they had accomplished fully the work which was originally contemplated. It was strictly a missionary tour among the Gentiles. It was an important and hazardous enterprise, and was the first in which the church formally engaged. Hence, so much importance is attached to it, and so faithful a record of it is preserved.
\caps1 (2) i\caps0 t shows that the act by which they were set apart to this Act 13:1-3 was not an ordination to the ministerial office. It was an appointment to a missionary tour.
\caps1 (3) i\caps0 t shows that the act was not an appointment to the apostleship. Paul was an apostle before by the express appointment of the Saviour; and Barnabas was never an apostle in the original and proper sense of the term. It was a designation to a temporary work, which was now fulfilled.
We may remark, also, in regard to this missionary tour:
(1) That the work of missions is one which early engaged the attention of Christians.
\caps1 (2) i\caps0 t entered into their plans, and was one in which the church was deeply interested.
\caps1 (3) t\caps0 he work of missions is attended with danger. People are now no less hostile to the gospel than they were in Lystra and Iconium.
(4) Missionaries should be sustained by the prayers of the church. And,
(5) In the conduct of Paul and Barnabas we have an example for missionaries in founding churches, and in regard to their own trials and persecutions. If they were persecuted, missionaries may be now; and if the grace of Christ was sufficient to sustain them, it is not the less sufficient to sustain those of our own times amidst all the dangers attending the preaching of the cross in pagan lands.

Barnes: Act 14:27 - -- They rehearsed ... - Act 11:4. They related what had happened; their dangers and their success. This they did because they had been sent out by...
They rehearsed ... - Act 11:4. They related what had happened; their dangers and their success. This they did because they had been sent out by the church, and it was proper that they should give an account of their work; and because it furnished a suitable occasion of gratitude to God for his mercy.
All that God had done ... - In protecting, guarding them, etc. All was traced to God.
Had opened the door of faith - Had furnished an opportunity of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12.

Barnes: Act 14:28 - -- And there they abode - At Antioch. Long time - How long is not intimated; but we hear no more of them until the council at Jerusalem, men...
And there they abode - At Antioch.
Long time - How long is not intimated; but we hear no more of them until the council at Jerusalem, mentioned in the next chapter. If the transactions recorded in this chapter occurred, as is supposed, about 45 a.d. or 46 a.d., and the council at Jerusalem assembled 51 a.d. or 53 a.d., as is supposed, then here is an interval of from five to eight years in which we have no account of them. Where they were, or what was their employment in this interval, the sacred historian has not informed us. It is certain, however, that Paul made several journeys of which we have no particular record in the New Testament, and it is possible that some of those journeys occurred during this interval. Thus, he preached the gospel as far as Illyricum, Rom 15:19. And in 2Co 11:23-27, there is an account of trials and persecutions, of many of which we have no distinct record, and which might have occurred during this interval. We may be certain that these holy men were not idle. From the example of Paul and Barnabas as recorded in this chapter, we may learn to bear all persecutions and trials without a complaint, and to acknowledge the good hand of God in our preservation in our travels; in our defense when we are persecuted; in all the opportunities which may be open before us to do good; and in all the success which may attend our efforts. Christians should remember that it is God who opens doors of usefulness; and they should regard it as a matter of thanksgiving that such doors are opened, and that they are permitted to spread the gospel, whatever toil it may cost, whatever persecution they may endure, whatever perils they may encounter.
Poole: Act 14:17 - -- These words are to prevent that cavil, Why does God yet complain? and inform them, that though God had not given them, nor their ancestors, his laws...
These words are to prevent that cavil, Why does God yet complain? and inform them, that though God had not given them, nor their ancestors, his laws written in tables of stone, as he had given to the Jews; yet they had the law written in their hearts, which they had not obeyed, though God’ s manifold mercies, his works of creation and providence, had testified unto them, that he only was to be feared and worshipped. How many witnesses hath God against sinful man, when every creature and providence speaks his power, wisdom, goodness, &c., and call upon us to love and obey him? Every creature tells us that God made it, &c.

Poole: Act 14:18 - -- So hard a matter it is to persuade any to leave off these sins they are accustomed unto, or to rectify such errors in religion which men are brought...
So hard a matter it is to persuade any to leave off these sins they are accustomed unto, or to rectify such errors in religion which men are brought up in.

Poole: Act 14:19 - -- Certain Jews such as mention was made of, Act 13:50 .
Persuaded the people a strange and incredible fickleness; but that we know how the same multi...
Certain Jews such as mention was made of, Act 13:50 .
Persuaded the people a strange and incredible fickleness; but that we know how the same multitude who cried Hosanna, did more suddenly alter their note, and cry against our Saviour, Crucify him, crucify him; so uncertain a thing is worldly honour.
Stoned Paul the malice of Satan is every way great; if he cannot destroy the souls of these blessed apostles, by making of them to accept of Divine worship, he will do his utmost to kill their bodies.

Poole: Act 14:20 - -- Stood round about him either in order to bury him, thinking him to be dead, as well as his persecutors did; or else to defend him, as much as possibl...
Stood round about him either in order to bury him, thinking him to be dead, as well as his persecutors did; or else to defend him, as much as possibly they could, from the rage of his enemies in that popular fury. Their spite was most against Paul, because he spake most, and preached unto them the way of life.
He rose up being by the power of God suddenly restored to his strength again.
Derbe a city near to Lycaonia, some say in it.

Poole: Act 14:21 - -- Had taught many had made many disciples by teaching, and also by baptizing of them, Mat 28:19 . For as by circumcision they were made Moses’ s d...
Had taught many had made many disciples by teaching, and also by baptizing of them, Mat 28:19 . For as by circumcision they were made Moses’ s disciples, so by baptism they are made Christ’ s disciples.

Poole: Act 14:22 - -- It is not enough to sow the seed of the word, but it must be watered also, frequent endeavours must be used that it may be fruitful. Thus the apostles...
It is not enough to sow the seed of the word, but it must be watered also, frequent endeavours must be used that it may be fruitful. Thus the apostles return to visit such as they had preached unto; the persecution they had endured, increasing their resolution for God, and their strength from him. Lest they should be offended at what they saw St. Paul had endured, or themselves might be called to endure, they preach unto them the doctrine of the cross, not hiding from them the miseries which in this world the profession of Christ and his truths might bring upon them. God hath indeed dealt all along thus with his people. The troubles which the Israelites met with in the wilderness, in their journey towards an earthly Canaan, did typify the calamities which God’ s people will meet with in this world, as they journey towards the heavenly Canaan, or Jerusalem which is above.

Poole: Act 14:23 - -- Ordained the word properly signifies a stretching out of the hand, such as was used when they gave their suffrages in the election of their magistrat...
Ordained the word properly signifies a stretching out of the hand, such as was used when they gave their suffrages in the election of their magistrates, whereby was showed for whom they gave their voice; and afterwards it was commonly used for to constitute or appoint, or, as here, to ordain to any office or place; which might the rather be done by stretching out or laying on of the hands of the apostles, because by that means the Holy Ghost (or a power of working miracles) was frequently bestowed, Act 8:17,18 , which in those times was necessary to authorize their doctrine to the infidel world.
Elders such as might instruct and govern the church.
They commended them they commended the disciples as their jewels and chiefest treasure; as all sufferers are to commit their very souls to God, 1Pe 4:19 .
To the Lord to Christ, the best and faithful Keeper, that he should keep and further them in grace and goodness; to whose providence they wholly had committed themselves.

Poole: Act 14:25 - -- The word the gospel, the word of the Lord; or Christ, who is the word, and who is the sum of what the ministers of the gospel preach about.
Perga: ...
The word the gospel, the word of the Lord; or Christ, who is the word, and who is the sum of what the ministers of the gospel preach about.
Perga: mentioned Act 8:13 ; a city, or as some, a country, in Pamphylia, by the sea side. But the bounds of provinces were often altered by the Romans, and some made larger, and others lesser.

Poole: Act 14:26 - -- Antioch that Antioch which was in Syria, as appears Act 13:1-3 , to which this relates; and is a sufficient proof that they had not sought God in vai...
Antioch that Antioch which was in Syria, as appears Act 13:1-3 , to which this relates; and is a sufficient proof that they had not sought God in vain, and that there is no better preparation or provision towards any business, than faithful prayer unto God concerning it; doing our duty, and leaving the event unto his disposing.

Poole: Act 14:27 - -- All that God had done with them God being with them, and they being labourors with God, 1Co 3:9 2Co 6:1 . They showed how much God had honoured them ...
All that God had done with them God being with them, and they being labourors with God, 1Co 3:9 2Co 6:1 . They showed how much God had honoured them in making them his instruments in the conversion of so many souls.
He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles he had given the Gentiles an opportunity of knowing and believing the gospel. The fleece alone had been wet before, and all the ground round about it dry; and now all the ground is wet, and that fleece was dry; to allude to Jud 6:37-40 , by which this mystery was presignified, and can only be resolved by that of our Saviour, Mat 11:25,26 : Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Poole: Act 14:28 - -- To confirm them, as Act 14:22 ; and also, as our Saviour withdrew himself from the multitudes, they chose there to refresh themselves a while, out o...
To confirm them, as Act 14:22 ; and also, as our Saviour withdrew himself from the multitudes, they chose there to refresh themselves a while, out of the heat of contention and persecution.
Haydock: Act 14:21 - -- Through many tribulations. Our daily offences required the paternal chastisement of the Almighty. The concupiscence of the flesh too, which wills a...
Through many tribulations. Our daily offences required the paternal chastisement of the Almighty. The concupiscence of the flesh too, which wills against the spirit, must be subdued by punishment. Woe then to you, lovers of this world, who wish to pass your lives without tribulation, enemies of the cross. Senseless creatures, is the disciple above his master? Did it not become Christ first to suffer, and thus to enter into his glory? and shall we pretend to enter by any other means? &c. (Denis the Carthusian)

Haydock: Act 14:22 - -- When they had ordained for them priests. [1] The Protestant translation, following the grammatical etymology of the Greek word presbyter, always pu...
When they had ordained for them priests. [1] The Protestant translation, following the grammatical etymology of the Greek word presbyter, always puts elders. Yet they of the Church of England allow, and maintain, that by this Greek word in this, and many other places, are signified the ministers of God, known by the name of bishops or priests, according to the ecclesiastical use of the same word. It is evident that here are not meant elders, as to age and years. Nay, though we adhere to the grammatical signification, we should rather translate priests, since the English word priest, as well as the French word pretre, come from presbyter. But of this word more hereafter. We may also take notice, that the Calvinists here translate, ordained by election, pretending by the derivation of the Greek word, that church ministers were only chosen, and deputed by the votes and suffrages of people; and not by any ordination, or consecration by a bishop; nor by any character or sacrament of order. But their argument from this Greek word is frivolous, and groundless, as hath been shewn by Mr. Bois on this verse, by Mr. Legh in his Critica Sacra, &c. (Witham) ---
We see from this text, 1st, that Sts. Paul and Barnabas were bishops, having authority to confer holy orders: 2nd. that there was even then a difference betwixt bishops and priests, though the name in the primitive Church was often used indifferently; 3rd. that fasting and praying were constant preparatives for holy orders. (Bristow)
===============================
[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
Cum constituissent presbyteros, Greek: cheirotonesantes presbuterous. Mr. Bois on this verse: Si usum loquendi potius quam syllabas ipsas, quibus inhærere sæpe parum tutum est, respicias, Greek: cheirotonein, nihil aliud declarat, quam constituere, creare, ordinare. See Mr. Legh, in thesauro linguæ græcæ.
====================

This Antioch was a sea-port in Pamphylia. (Bible de Vence)

Haydock: Act 14:25 - -- From whence they had been delivered, up to their ministry, and their apostolical mission by the grace of God; that is, where they had been first ch...
From whence they had been delivered, up to their ministry, and their apostolical mission by the grace of God; that is, where they had been first chosen by the direction of the Spirit of God, ordained priests and bishops, and had received power, and graces to discharge their offices of apostles. (Witham)

Haydock: Act 14:27 - -- No little time. It is not precisely known how long he remained there, nor what he did. St. Luke relates nothing of what happened from the 46th year...
No little time. It is not precisely known how long he remained there, nor what he did. St. Luke relates nothing of what happened from the 46th year of Christ to the 51st [from A.D. 46 to A.D. 51], in which the Council of Jerusalem was held. It is probable St. Paul spent that time carrying the gospel among the neighbouring provinces. (Calmet)
Gill: Act 14:17 - -- Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness,.... Of his kindness and goodness to them, during this long interval and period of time; for they ha...
Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness,.... Of his kindness and goodness to them, during this long interval and period of time; for they had not the written law, yet they were not destitute of the law of nature; and had, besides, many instances of providential goodness, by which they might have known God: and should have been thankful to him, and glorified him as God, and not have worshipped the idols of their own hands; the goodness of God should have led them to repentance, and not have been abused to so many wicked purposes as it had been:
in that he did good; in a providential way, to persons very undeserving of it, of which some particular instances follow:
and gave us rain from heaven, which none of the gods of the Gentiles could, do, Jer 14:22. So
and fruitful seasons; spring, summer, harvest, and autumn, at which several times, different fruits of the earth appear:
filling our hearts with food and gladness; giving a sufficiency of food, and even an abundance of it, and that for pleasure and delight, as well as for support and refreshment: the Syriac version reads, "their hearts"; some copies read, "your hearts".

Gill: Act 14:18 - -- And with these sayings,.... Concerning themselves, and concerning the living God, his creation of all things, and his providential goodness:
scarce...
And with these sayings,.... Concerning themselves, and concerning the living God, his creation of all things, and his providential goodness:
scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them; so resolute were they upon it, that it was with great difficulty that they persuaded them from it: in four of Beza's manuscripts, and in some other copies, it is added, "but everyone went to his own house", &c.

Gill: Act 14:19 - -- And there came thither certain Jews,.... Either just at the same time, or however whilst the apostles were in this city: in four manuscripts of Beza's...
And there came thither certain Jews,.... Either just at the same time, or however whilst the apostles were in this city: in four manuscripts of Beza's, and in some other copies, it is read, "as they abode there, and taught, there came", &c. These Jews were inveterate enemies of the apostles, and seemed to have followed them from place to place, on purpose to oppose them, and to stir up the people against them, and to hinder the success of their ministry all they could: for these came
from Antioch; not Antioch in Syria, but in Pisidia: where they had contradicted and blasphemed the word of God, and was the reason why the apostles turned to the Gentiles, Act 13:45.
And Iconium: where also the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles against the apostles, and both of them made an assault upon them, to use them ill, Act 14:2
who persuaded the people; in the above manuscripts of Beza's, and in some other copies, are these words,
"and they disputing confidently, persuaded the people to depart from them, saying, that they said nothing true, but in all things lied;''
which though they may not be considered as the text, are a good gloss upon it: they persuaded the people not to hearken to them, told them that they were deceivers and jugglers, and instead of having honours conferred upon them, they ought to be severely punished; and to these Jews they hearkened, as appears by what follows:
and having stoned Paul; even the same persons that just before were for sacrificing to him as a god; which shows the fickleness and inconstancy of the populace, and how little they are to be depended on; for they were the Gentiles that stoned Paul, at the instigation of the Jews; though the latter might probably join with them in it: a like instance we have in the conduct of the Jews towards Christ, who cried "Hosanna" to him one day, and on another, very quickly after, with great importunity say, Crucify him, Crucify him; of this stoning, the apostle makes mention, 2Co 11:25 When they had stoned him,
they drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead; which is an addition to their barbarity and inhumanity; for they not only stoned him until he was dead, as they supposed, but they dragged his body through the streets of their city, in contempt of him, and indignation against him, and cast him out of it, where they left him as unworthy of a burial.

Gill: Act 14:20 - -- Howbeit as the disciples stood round about him,.... Weeping over him, and lamenting for him, and it may be praying to God, that he would restore him t...
Howbeit as the disciples stood round about him,.... Weeping over him, and lamenting for him, and it may be praying to God, that he would restore him to life: however, they got about him, in order to take care of him, and provide for his interment: these were the young converts at Lystra, who, under the ministry of the apostles, were now brought to the faith of Christ; unless it can be thought, that they were such who followed them from other places, and attended them in their travels; but the former seems most probable, and which shows their affection to their spiritual Father, and their constancy in the faith of Christ, notwithstanding this ill treatment of his servant:
he rose up and came into the city; which was no less than a miracle, and was no doubt the effect of the mighty power of God, put forth upon him; for though he was not really dead, yet he was left as such, and thought to be so by both friends and foes: and when it is considered what wounds and bruises he must receive by stoning, and his being dragged through the streets of the city, and left in such a miserable condition without it, that he should at once rise up in the midst of the disciples, and walk into the city as one in perfect health and strength, has something extraordinary and miraculous in it; and it shows great resolution, courage, and strength of mind, to go into the same city again, where he had been so ill used; though he did not choose to continue there, nor were the inhabitants worthy of such a favour:
and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe; where they had been before, and had preached the Gospel, and whither they fled from Iconium, when in great danger, Act 14:6.

Gill: Act 14:21 - -- And when they had preached the Gospel to that city,.... To the inhabitants of it, as they did in every place where they came, even the pure Gospel of ...
And when they had preached the Gospel to that city,.... To the inhabitants of it, as they did in every place where they came, even the pure Gospel of Christ, the good news, and glad tidings of life and salvation by him:
and had taught many; or made them disciples, their ministry being blessed to bring many to the faith of Christ:
they returned again to Lystra; where Paul had been stoned:
and to Iconium; where both Jews and Gentiles, and the magistrates of the city, had attempted to use them ill, and to stone them:
and Antioch; that is, in Pisidia, as before; where a persecution was raised against them, and from the coasts of which place they were expelled; so fearless were they of danger, and so zealous to promote the interest of Christ, and the good of souls.

Gill: Act 14:22 - -- Confirming the souls of the disciples,.... Not wicked men in their wickedness, nor self-righteous persons in an opinion of their own righteousness, as...
Confirming the souls of the disciples,.... Not wicked men in their wickedness, nor self-righteous persons in an opinion of their own righteousness, as sufficient for justification, both being contrary to the nature and tendency of the ministry of the word; the Gospel being a doctrine according to godliness, and a revelation of the righteousness of Christ; but the disciples and followers of Jesus, whom they had already made in those places, these they confirmed in the doctrines of the Gospel, and fortified them against the contradictions and blasphemies of the Jews, and the reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions they met with, by which they might be staggered: they did not confirm the bodies of these disciples, and the health of them, which is the business of the physician to confirm; nor their estates and civil property, to secure and defend which belongs to the civil magistrate; but their souls, their more noble and valuable part, their hearts, which are apt to be unstable; the frames of their hearts, which are precarious, and so as not to be too much depressed when disagreeable, or be too much elated when agreeable, placing too much trust and confidence in them; and also the graces of the Spirit in their hearts, as to act and exercise, as faith, hope, and love; and likewise their judgments and understandings in the truths of the Gospel, in what relates to the love of God; the covenant of grace, the person of Christ, and their interest in them:
and exhorting them to continue in the faith: in the exercise of the grace of faith, and in the doctrine of faith, and in the profession of both, whatever they might meet with on the account thereof, and which they were to expect:
and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God either into a Gospel church state, which is sometimes so called, there being much trouble often attending an entrance into it, both from within, from the corruption and unbelief of the heart, and from without, from the temptations of Satan, and from the revilings and insults of men, and even from friends and relations; or into the heavenly glory, the way to that lying through many tribulations; and which, though a rough, is a right way: so it "must" be, there is a necessity of it, partly on account of the decrees of God, who has appointed afflictions for his people, and them to afflictions; and partly on account of the predictions of Christ, who foretold his disciples, that in the world they should have tribulation; as also, that there might be a conformity to him, that as he the head must, and did suffer many things, and enter into his glory, so must they his members: as well as likewise for the trial and exercise of the several graces of the Spirit, and to make the saints meet for heaven, and to make that the sweeter to them.

Gill: Act 14:23 - -- And when they had ordained them elders in every church,.... As soon as ever any number of disciples were made, or souls were converted to Christ in an...
And when they had ordained them elders in every church,.... As soon as ever any number of disciples were made, or souls were converted to Christ in any place, they were at once formed, by the apostles, into a church state; and as the gifts, as well as the grace of the Holy Ghost, attended the ministry of the word, so among those that were converted, there were some that were honoured with ministerial gifts, qualifying them to preach the Gospel, and take upon them the care of the churches: these the apostles directed the churches to look out from among themselves, as in the case of deacons, an inferior office, who by joint suffrages declared their choice of them by the stretching out, or lifting up of their hands, as the word here used signifies, and not the imposition of them; and the apostles presiding in this affair, they were installed into the office of bishops, elders, or pastors over them; which expresses the great regard the apostles had to the order, as well as to the doctrine of the Gospel, and the concern they had for the welfare of souls converted under their ministry, by making a provision for them when they were gone.
And had prayed with fasting; for the elders ordained, that they might have a larger measure of gifts, and might be kept faithful to the trust committed to them, and be succeeded in their ministry; and for the members of the church, that they might abide by the truths of the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, and walk worthy of it in their conversations, and behave aright in their church state, both to their elders, and to one another, and that they might persevere to the end:
they commended them to the Lord; both the elders and the churches, to be blessed by him with fresh supplies of grace, to be kept by his power, and to be preserved by him safe to his kingdom and glory. The Lord Jesus Christ seems to be intended by "the Lord", to whom the apostles commended them; and who is every way qualified, and fully able to answer such a commendation; see Act 20:32 on whom they believed; meaning Christ, whom they received by faith, in whom they trusted, and on whom they believed with the heart for righteousness, life, and salvation: this was true, both of the apostles, who commended the elders and churches to the Lord, and was the reason why they commended them to him, because they believed on him themselves; and of the churches and elders commended, who could be commended to none better than to him, on whom they had believed.

Gill: Act 14:24 - -- And after they had passed throughout Pisidia,.... The country where Antioch, the last place mentioned, was; see Act 13:14 they came to Pamphylia; See ...

Gill: Act 14:25 - -- And when they had preached the word in Perga,.... A city in Pamphylia, Act 13:13. The Alexandrian copy, and others, and three manuscripts of Beza's, r...
And when they had preached the word in Perga,.... A city in Pamphylia, Act 13:13. The Alexandrian copy, and others, and three manuscripts of Beza's, read, "the word of the Lord"; as do the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions: they went down into "Attalia"; not Italia or Italy, as some Latin copies, and as the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read; but a city in Pamphylia, bordering on the sea, as Ptolomy writes b; as this place did, as appears by what follows. So Jerom says c, that Attalia is a city of Pamphylia, on the sea coast; it was formerly the metropolis of it: it is now in the hands of the Turks, and is called Sattalia; near it is a bay, called Golfo di Sattalia, where there is a considerable mart for the whole country: it is famous for tapestry, which is made in it: it had its name from Attalus, king of Pergamus, the first founder of it. Beza's ancient copy here adds, "preaching the Gospel to them"; to the inhabitants of Attalia, and doubtless with success, though no mention is made of it here, nor elsewhere, nor of any church in this place; nor do we read of any in ecclesiastical history until the "sixth" century, when Dionysius, bishop of Attalia, is said to be present in the fifth synod at Rome d; unless Attalia, called a city of Lycia, can be thought to be the same with this, of which another Dionysius was bishop in the fifth century; and assisted at the council of Chalcedon e.

Gill: Act 14:26 - -- And thence sailed to Antioch,.... In Syria,
from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God; by the prophets: from this place they first ...
And thence sailed to Antioch,.... In Syria,
from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God; by the prophets: from this place they first set out on their travels; here they were separated by the order of the Holy Ghost to the work of the ministry, and by them they were sent forth, after they had in prayer commended them to God, and to his grace to assist them, and succeed them, as well as to fit them
for the work which they fulfilled; that is, for the work of the ministry, for the preaching of the Gospel in several places; and which they had now gone through, and finished with great integrity and faithfulness, and with much success, though through many afflictions and persecutions.

Gill: Act 14:27 - -- And when they were come,.... To Antioch:
and had gathered the church together: which was in that place, and who came together at their request; for...
And when they were come,.... To Antioch:
and had gathered the church together: which was in that place, and who came together at their request; for as they were sent out by them, they judged it proper to call them together; and give them an account of the issue of their work they were recommended by them to the grace of God to fulfil: and being come together at their usual place of meeting,
they rehearsed all that God had done with them; and by them, as instruments; what grace and strength he had given them to preach the Gospel; what numbers of souls were everywhere converted by it; what miracles were wrought by them for the confirmation of it; and what persecutions and sufferings they had endured for the sake of it; and what deliverances were vouchsafed unto them:
and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles; the phrase, "the door of faith", seems to be Jewish; it is to be met with in Jewish writings: it is said f,
"there are two women found in the world, that express the praise of God, so as all the men of the world have not; and who are they? Deborah and Hannah: Hannah, according to 1Sa 2:2 "there is none holy as the Lord, for there is none beside thee" and all proclaim that she
The sense here seems to be, that God had given an opportunity to the apostles to preach the doctrine of faith unto the Gentiles, and the Gentiles had had an opportunity of hearing and embracing it; God had opened the mouths of his ministers to preach to them, and he had opened their hearts to attend unto it, and receive it; for it may be understood of his giving of them the grace of faith, by which they received Christ, and his Gospel, into their hearts: so a like phrase is used by the Targumist on Jer 33:6 who paraphrases the words thus;
"behold, I will bring unto them healing and redemption, and I will heal them, and I will reveal, or "open to them",
that is, I will give them repentance: so here, when God is said to open the door of faith to the Gentiles, the sense is, that he had given the grace of faith to them, which came by hearing the word of the Gospel, which he sent them; and gave them encouragement to believe in Christ; so the phrase a door of hope is used in Hos 2:15.

Gill: Act 14:28 - -- And there they abode long time with the disciples. That is, Paul and Barnabas continued a considerable time at Antioch with the believers there, befor...
And there they abode long time with the disciples. That is, Paul and Barnabas continued a considerable time at Antioch with the believers there, before they set out on another journey; and what might detain them the longer, might be the disputes they had with some "judaizing" Christians, concerning the observation of the law; of which, and the issue of them, an account is given in the next chapter.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:17; Act 14:18; Act 14:18; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:19; Act 14:20; Act 14:20; Act 14:20; Act 14:20; Act 14:21; Act 14:21; Act 14:21; Act 14:21; Act 14:21; Act 14:22; Act 14:22; Act 14:22; Act 14:22; Act 14:23; Act 14:23; Act 14:23; Act 14:23; Act 14:24; Act 14:24; Act 14:25; Act 14:25; Act 14:25; Act 14:26; Act 14:26; Act 14:26; Act 14:26; Act 14:27; Act 14:27; Act 14:27; Act 14:28; Act 14:28
NET Notes: Act 14:17 God’s general sovereignty and gracious care in the creation are the way Paul introduces the theme of the goodness of God. He was trying to estab...

NET Notes: Act 14:18 BDAG 524 s.v. καταπαύω 2.b gives both “restrain” and “dissuade someone fr. someth.,” b...

NET Notes: Act 14:19 Grk “stoning Paul they dragged him.” The participle λιθάσαντες (liqasante") has bee...




NET Notes: Act 14:23 BDAG 772 s.v. παρατίθημι 3.b has “entrust someone to the care or protection of someone” ...


NET Notes: Act 14:25 Attalia was a seaport in the province of Pamphylia on the southern coast of Asia Minor, about 12 mi (20 km) southwest of Perga.

NET Notes: Act 14:26 BDAG 829 s.v. πληρόω 5 has “to bring to completion an activity in which one has been involved from its beginning, ...


Geneva Bible: Act 14:19 ( 6 ) And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, s...

Geneva Bible: Act 14:21 ( 7 ) And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and [to] Iconium, and Antioch,
( 7 ) We...

Geneva Bible: Act 14:22 ( 8 ) Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the k...

Geneva Bible: Act 14:23 ( 9 ) 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.
( ...

Geneva Bible: Act 14:24 ( 10 ) And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
( 10 ) Paul and Barnabas, having completed their journey, and having ret...

Geneva Bible: Act 14:25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into ( h ) Attalia:
( h ) Attalia was a sea city of Pamphylia, near to Lycia.

Geneva Bible: Act 14:26 And thence sailed to ( i ) Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
( i ) Antioch of Syr...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Act 14:1-28
TSK Synopsis: Act 14:1-28 - --1 Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium.8 At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods.19 Paul is stoned.21 They pass th...


Combined Bible: Act 14:19 - --This state of suspense was most favorable to the acceptance of Paul's own explanation of his miraculous power, and consequently to their belief of the...

Combined Bible: Act 14:20 - --Although Paul's physical constitution was feeble, he had, as is often the case with such constitutions, great tenacity of life. The mob left him, thin...

Combined Bible: Act 14:21 - --22. Having been compelled to fly from Antioch to Iconium, and from Iconium to Lystra, wading into deeper dangers at every step, who can tell the feeli...


Combined Bible: Act 14:23 - --They were left as "sheep in the midst of wolves;" but they were committed to the care of the great Shepherd of the sheep, and were supplied with under...

Combined Bible: Act 14:24 - --Leaving Antioch of Pisidia, the apostles returned as far as the sea-coast by the same route through which they had gone up into Pisidia. (24) " And pa...



Combined Bible: Act 14:27 - --28. The apostles had now completed their missionary tour, and there could but be great anxiety in the congregation who had sent them forth, to know th...

Maclaren -> Act 14:11-22; Act 14:27
Maclaren: Act 14:11-22 - --Deified And Stoned
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 t...

Maclaren: Act 14:27 - --The Door Of Faith'
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had open...
MHCC -> Act 14:8-18; Act 14:19-28
MHCC: Act 14:8-18 - --All things are possible to those that believe. When we have faith, that most precious gift of God, we shall be delivered from the spiritual helplessne...

MHCC: Act 14:19-28 - --See how restless the rage of the Jews was against the gospel of Christ. The people stoned Paul, in a popular tumult. So strong is the bent of the corr...
Matthew Henry -> Act 14:8-18; Act 14:19-28
Matthew Henry: Act 14:8-18 - -- In these verses we have, I. A miraculous cure wrought by Paul at Lystra upon a cripple that had been lame from his birth, such a one as was miraculo...

Matthew Henry: Act 14:19-28 - -- We have here a further account of the services and sufferings of Paul and Barnabas. I. How Paul was stoned and left for dead, but miraculously came ...
Barclay: Act 14:8-18 - --At Lystra Paul and Barnabas were involved in a strange incident. The explanation of their being taken for gods lies in the legendary history of Lycao...

Barclay: Act 14:19-20 - --In the midst of all the excitement at Lystra certain Jews arrived. They may have been there for one of two reasons. They may have been deliberately ...

Barclay: Act 14:21-28 - --In this passage there are three notable lights on the mind of Paul.
(i) There is his utter honesty to the people who had chosen to become Christians. ...
Constable -> Act 9:32--Rom 1:1; Act 12:25--16:6; Act 13:13--14:26; Act 14:8-20; Act 14:20-21; Act 14:21-28
Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31
Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 12:25--16:6 - --B. The extension of the church to Cyprus and Asia Minor 12:25-16:5
Luke recorded that Jesus came to brin...

Constable: Act 13:13--14:26 - --3. The mission to Asia Minor 13:13-14:25
Having evangelized Barnabas' homeland the missionaries ...

Constable: Act 14:8-20 - --Ministry in Lystra 14:8-20a
14:8 Like Antioch of Pisidia, Lystra (modern Zoldera) was a Roman colony.580 It was the most eastern of the fortified citi...

Constable: Act 14:20-21 - --Ministry at Derbe 14:20b-21a
Paul and Barnabas next moved about 60 miles farther to the ...

Constable: Act 14:21-28 - --The return trip to Syrian Antioch 14:21b-28
14:21b-22 The missionaries confined their labors to the Galatian province on this trip. They did not move ...
College -> Act 14:1-28
College: Act 14:1-28 - --ACTS 14
8. The Visit to Iconium (14:1-7)
1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively tha...
McGarvey: Act 14:14-18 - --14-18. Nothing could have been more unexpected or more painful to the humble missionaries, than a demonstration of this kind. The purpose of the pries...

McGarvey: Act 14:19 - --19. This state of suspense was most favorable to the acceptance of Paul's own explanation of his miraculous power, and consequently to their belief of...

McGarvey: Act 14:20 - --20. Although Paul's physical constitution was feeble, he had, as is often the case with such constitutions, great tenacity of life. The mob left him, ...

McGarvey: Act 14:21-22 - --21, 22. Having been compelled to fly from Antioch to Iconium, and from Iconium to Lystra, wading into deeper dangers at every step, who can tell the f...

McGarvey: Act 14:23 - --23. They were left as "sheep in the midst of wolves;" but they were committed to the care of the great Shepherd of the sheep, and were supplied with u...

McGarvey: Act 14:24-26 - --24-26. Leaving Antioch of Pisidia, the apostles returned as far as the sea-coast by the same route through which they had gone up into Pisidia. (24) "...

McGarvey: Act 14:27-28 - --27, 28. The apostles had now completed their missionary tour, and there could but be great anxiety in the congregation who had sent them forth, to kno...

expand allCommentary -- Other
Evidence: Act 14:17 Scientific facts in the Bible . Job stated, " [God] made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder" ( Job 28:26 ). Centuries ...

Evidence: Act 14:19 Open-air preaching . " The [street] preachers needed to have faces set like flints, and so indeed they had. John Furz says, ‘As soon as I began to p...
