Acts 14: Bible Study Notes: Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Home

Paul and Barnabas at Iconium[Acts 14:1-7]

Vs. 14:1. Paul and Barnabas reach Iconium and begin to preach the Bible with success.

Iconium - The city dates to the third millennium bc, making it one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world. The ancient city of Iconium, known today as Konya, was located in central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) about 90 miles southeast of Pisidian Antioch. Root word comes from icon.

Vs. 14:2. Those Jewish people who were unpersuaded by the teachings of Paul and Barnabas. They turned the Gentiles against Paul, Barnabas, and the missionary party so they would not receive the message of Jesus Christ and in turn eternal life.

Even though there is division and people are still listening so Paul and Barnabas continue to preach The Kingdom

Vs. 14:3-4. “So” would be better translated “Therefore.” The reason Paul and the party remained so long was to try to persuade the people to believe their message and receive Jesus as their Christ. Notice as the unbelief increased and as persecution increased the signs and wonders of the Holy Spirit increased to support or affirm the message of the gospel. Paul and Barnabas continue to be bold in their evangelizing while the division is non-violent.

The opposition turns to violence

Vss. 14:4—7. There was division between the believers and non-believers. When the division was about to become violent the Holy Spirit let the missionary party know so they could move onto the next mission field. They head to the region of Lycaonia which included Lystra and Derbe.

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra [Acts 14:8-18]

A man born lame is healed [Acts 14:8-10]

Vss. 14:8-10. Much like one of the first healing miracles the Holy Spirit did through Peter, (Acts 3:1-10) Paul sees a man born lame, sees he has faith to be sozo (made well, delivered, saved). So Paul tells the man to stand up. Like the lame beggar he sprang up (ἅλλομαι, halomai) (Acts 3:8) and the people were amazed.

An unexpected response [Acts 14:11-18]

Vss. 14:11-13. Paul and Barnabas are now preaching to a true gentile/pagan audience. They are not Jews or God-fearers in the synagogue but gentiles in the city. Their response to Paul’s healing through the power of the Holy Spirit leads the people to believe they are the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes. Believing they are the Greek gods the people do not want to take a chance of dishonoring them so they were quick to want to offer sacrifices in their honor.

Vss. 14:14-15. The apostles response was to tear their clothes as a sign of distress or lamenting. Then they attempt to persuade the crowds to turn to the Living God maker of heaven and earth and everything in them.

Paul stoned at Lystra [Acts 14:19-23]

Vss. 14:19-20. While Paul was still in Lystra men came over 100 miles in order to stone him. Once they arrived they stoned Paul, then supposing he was dead they drug him out of the city.

Whether Paul died and was brought back to life or he was merely near death we do not know. Either way his ability to get up and walk back into the city was a miraculous healing in itself. Paul was determined to show the Jews who attacked him that he would not be deterred in proclaiming Jesus Christ.

Vss. 14:20-23. Paul and Barnabas make their way as far as Derbe proclaiming the gospel of Jesus before beginning the journey back home. He went back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Pisidia. In each city he strengthened believers and appointed elders to oversee the church.

Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch in Syria [Acts 14:24-28]

Paul and Barnabas make their way back to Antioch in Syria. There they gathered the church and proclaimed all that God had done and how He opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.