The Bible Teacher's Commentary
Paul J. Bucknell
Other Missionary Stops (#4-7)
Acts 13:51-14:28
After the significant message at Antioch of Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas continued their journey through the interior of Asia Minor. Despite increasing persecution, the word of God continued to spread effectively.
Stop #4: Iconium (Acts 13:51-14:7)
Following their expulsion from Antioch, they "shook the dust off their feet" and went to Iconium. Here, they spoke so effectively that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. However, the city became divided, leading to a plot to mistreat and stone them, forcing them to flee to Lystra and Derbe.
Stop #5: Lystra (Acts 14:8-20)
In Lystra, Paul healed a man lame from birth. The crowd, seeing this, mistakenly identified Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes. Paul used this opportunity to preach about the "living God" who provides rain and fruitful seasons.
The situation turned dangerous when Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, winning over the crowds. Paul was stoned and left for dead outside the city, but he rose up and returned to the city before leaving for Derbe the next day.
Stop #6: Derbe (Acts 14:20-21)
In Derbe, they preached the gospel and won many disciples. This marked the furthest point of their journey before they turned back to revisit the churches they had established.
Stop #7: The Return Trip (Acts 14:21-28)
Strengthening and Appointing
- Strengthening: They returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, encouraging disciples to remain true to the faith.
- Appointing Elders: In every church, they appointed elders with prayer and fasting, committing them to the Lord.
- Reporting: Upon returning to Syrian Antioch, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
