At Iconium
1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the John 7:35; Acts 18:4; Rom. 1:14, 16; 1 Cor. 1:22Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, Mark 16:20; Acts 4:29; 20:32; Heb. 2:4who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and Acts 5:12wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was Luke 12:51divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the Acts 13:2, 3apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, 2 Tim. 3:11to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and Matt. 10:23fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.
Idolatry at Lystra
8 Acts 3:2And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, (Is. 35:6)"Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language,Acts 8:10; 28:6"The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, Dan. 2:46intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, Num. 14:6; Matt. 26:65; Mark 14:63they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, "Men, Acts 10:26why are you doing these things? James 5:17We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from 1 Sam. 12:21; Jer. 8:19; 14:22; Amos 2:4; 1 Cor. 8:4these useless things 1 Thess. 1:9to the living God, Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11; Ps. 146:6; Acts 4:24; 17:24; Rev. 14:7who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 Ps. 81:12; Mic. 4:5; 1 Pet. 4:3who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Acts 17:24–27; Rom. 1:19, 20Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, Lev. 26:4; Deut. 11:14; (Matt. 5:45)gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with Ps. 145:16food and gladness." 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
Stoning, Escape to Derbe
19 Acts 13:45, 50; 14:2–5; 1 Thess. 2:14Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, Acts 14:5; 2 Cor. 11:25; 2 Tim. 3:11they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be (2 Cor. 12:1–4)dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Strengthening the Converts
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city Matt. 28:19and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, Acts 11:23exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying,Matt. 10:38; Luke 22:28; (Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; 3:12)"We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." 23 So when they had Matt. 9:15; Mark 2:20; Luke 5:35; 2 Cor. 8:19; Titus 1:5appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, Acts 15:4, 12they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3; Rev. 3:8opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.