Acts 14: Paul and Barnabas in Iconium and Lystra

Short answer: Acts 14 follows Paul and Barnabas as they preach in Iconium, flee to Lystra and Derbe, heal a crippled man, and are mistaken for gods. After Paul is stoned and left for dead, he rises and they return to strengthen the disciples and appoint elders.

What Acts 14 says

The chapter opens with Paul and Barnabas entering the synagogue in Iconium and speaking in a way that persuaded a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks. But the disbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and embittered their minds against the brothers. Despite this, the apostles stayed a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who confirmed the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders through their hands. The city became divided, some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles. When a violent attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews with their rulers to mistreat and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region. There they continued to preach the Good News. This pattern of bold preaching, opposition, and movement sets the stage for the rest of the chapter.

At Lystra, a man crippled from birth was listening to Paul speak. Paul looked intently at him and saw that he had faith to be made whole. He called out with a loud voice for the man to stand upright on his feet. The man leaped up and walked. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in the Lycaonian language, saying that the gods had come down in the likeness of men. They called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury, because Paul was the chief speaker. The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to sacrifice along with the multitudes. But when the apostles heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, crying out and asking why they were doing these things. They declared that they also were men of like passions, and brought good news that the people should turn from vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them.

Paul and Barnabas continued their speech, explaining that in past generations God allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good, giving rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling hearts with food and gladness. Even with these words, they hardly stopped the multitudes from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the crowds, and they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead. But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up and entered the city. The next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe. After preaching the Good News in that city and making many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, saying that through many afflictions we must enter God's Kingdom.

When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they had believed. They passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. After speaking the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had fulfilled. Upon arrival, they gathered the assembly and reported all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the nations. They stayed there with the disciples for a long time. This closing section highlights the importance of follow-up, encouragement, and reporting what God had done, completing the missionary journey.

The chapter does not record any further details about the crippled man after he walked, nor does it describe the nature of the signs and wonders performed in Iconium. It does not tell us how Paul and Barnabas knew the plot against them in Iconium, only that they became aware of it. The text does not explain how Paul survived the stoning or what his physical condition was afterward. It does not give the content of the discussions that led the crowds to turn against Paul, nor does it specify how long the apostles stayed in each city. The chapter does not mention any other companions besides Barnabas and Paul, and it does not describe the appointment process for elders beyond prayer and fasting. These silences remind us that the account is focused on the spread of the word and the strengthening of disciples, not on exhaustive historical detail.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Acts 14:3) — This verse shows that despite opposition, the apostles stayed and spoke boldly, and the Lord confirmed their message with signs and wonders. It highlights God's active role in validating the word of his grace.
• “He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,” (Acts 14:9) — Paul saw that the crippled man had faith to be made whole, which led to his healing. This verse underscores the importance of faith and Paul's discernment in the moment.
• ““Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;” (Acts 14:15) — Paul and Barnabas redirect the crowd's mistaken worship to the living God, emphasizing that they are merely men. This verse captures the core missionary message of turning from vain things to the Creator.
• “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.” (Acts 14:22) — This verse summarizes the purpose of the return journey: strengthening disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, with the reminder that afflictions are part of entering God's Kingdom. It provides a realistic picture of the Christian life.

Gospel connection

Acts 14 fits into the larger biblical story by showing the gospel advancing beyond Jewish boundaries to Gentiles, as God had promised to Abraham that all nations would be blessed. The healing of the lame man echoes Jesus' own miracles and the prophets' promises of restoration. The crowd's attempt to worship Paul and Barnabas reveals humanity's tendency to idolize creation rather than the Creator, a theme that runs from Genesis to Romans. Paul's stoning and subsequent rising point to the pattern of suffering for the gospel, mirroring Jesus' own death and resurrection. The appointment of elders and the strengthening of disciples show the establishment of the church as the body of Christ, continuing his work through the Holy Spirit. The report that God opened a door of faith to the nations confirms that the gospel is for all people, fulfilling the Great Commission and anticipating the global church described in Revelation.

Application

This chapter asks readers to consider their own boldness in sharing the good news, even when opposition arises. It challenges us to redirect any misplaced admiration or credit away from human leaders and toward God alone. The healing of the lame man invites us to look for faith in unexpected places and to speak words of life. The stoning of Paul and his subsequent return to the same cities calls us to perseverance and to strengthening others in the faith, not avoiding hardship. The appointment of elders and prayer with fasting remind us that churches need godly leadership and dependence on God. Finally, the report of God's work encourages us to tell others what God has done, building up the community and celebrating open doors for the gospel.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not claim that Paul and Barnabas sought martyrdom or that they were superhuman. It does not say that the crippled man deserved healing or that his faith was perfect. It does not describe the exact content of the signs and wonders in Iconium, nor does it explain how the plot against them was discovered. It does not state that Paul was actually dead after the stoning, only that the crowd supposed he was dead. It does not give the names of the elders appointed or the specific instructions given to them. It does not mention the Holy Spirit explicitly in this chapter, though the Lord is said to testify to the word of his grace. It does not claim that all who heard believed, nor does it say that the apostles stayed in every city indefinitely. The text is silent on many details, focusing instead on the spread of the word and the strengthening of disciples.

Questions for study

1. What does the opposition in Iconium reveal about how the gospel is received, and how did the apostles respond?
2. Why do you think the crowd in Lystra mistook Paul and Barnabas for gods, and how did the apostles correct them?
3. What can we learn from Paul's willingness to return to the cities where he had been persecuted, and how does that challenge us?
4. How does the appointment of elders and prayer with fasting shape our understanding of church leadership and dependence on God?
5. What does the report to the church in Antioch teach us about the importance of sharing what God has done in our lives and ministries?

Keep reading

Related studies: Acts 10 Bible Study, Acts 11 Bible Study, Acts 12 Bible Study, Acts 13 Bible Study.

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FAQ

Why did Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes in Lystra?

They tore their clothes as a sign of distress and horror that the crowd was about to worship them as gods, which was blasphemy against the living God.

What happened to Paul after he was stoned and left for dead?

The disciples stood around him, and he rose up and went back into the city, then left the next day with Barnabas for Derbe. The text does not say he was actually dead, only that the crowd supposed he was.

What was the purpose of Paul and Barnabas returning to the cities where they had faced persecution?

They returned to strengthen the souls of the disciples, exhort them to continue in the faith, and appoint elders for them in every assembly, commending them to the Lord.