1 The same thing happened in Iconiumsn Iconium. See the note in 13:51. when Paul and Barnabastn Grk “they”; the referents (Paul and Barnabas) have been specified in the translation for clarity. went into the Jewish synagoguesn See the note on synagogue in 6:9. and spoke in such a way that a large grouptn Or “that a large crowd.” of both Jews and Greeks believed.

2 But the Jews who refused to believetn Or “who would not believe.” stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their mindstn Or “embittered their minds” (Grk “their souls”). BDAG 502 s.v. κακόω 2 has “make angry, embitter τὰς ψυχάς τινων κατά τινος poison the minds of some persons against another Ac 14:2.” against the brothers.

3 So they stayed theretn The word “there” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. for a considerable time, speaking out courageously for the Lord, who testifiedsn The Lord testified to the message by granting the signs described in the following clause. to the messagetn Grk “word.” of his grace, granting miraculous signstn Here the context indicates the miraculous nature of the signs mentioned. and wonders to be performed through their hands.

4 But the populationtn BDAG 825 s.v. πλῆθος 2.b.γ has this translation for πλῆθος (plhqo"). of the city was divided; sometn These clauses are a good example of the contrastive μὲν…δέ (men…de) construction: Some “on the one hand” sided with the Jews, but some “on the other hand” sided with the apostles. sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

5 When both the Gentiles and the Jews (together with their rulers) madetn Grk “So there came about an attempt” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. an attempt to mistreattn On this verb see BDAG 1022 s.v. ὑβρίζω. them and stone them,tn The direct object “them” is repeated after both verbs in the translation for stylistic reasons, although it occurs only after λιθοβολῆσαι (liqobolhsai) in the Greek text.

6 Paul and Barnabastn Grk “they”; the referents (Paul and Barnabas) have been specified in the translation for clarity. learned about ittn Grk “learning about it, fled.” The participle συνιδόντες (sunidonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. It could also be taken temporally (“when they learned about it”) as long as opening clause of v. 5 is not translated as a temporal clause too, which results in a redundancy. and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystrasn Lystra was a city in Lycaonia about 18 mi (30 km) south of Iconium, a Roman colony that was not on the main roads of Lycaonia. Because of its relative isolation, its local character was able to be preserved.map For location see JP1-E2; JP2-E2; JP3-E2. and Derbesn Derbe was a city in Lycaonia about 35 mi (60 km) southeast of Lystra.map For location see JP1-E2; JP2-E2; JP3-E2. and the surrounding region.

7 Theretn Grk “region, and there.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, καί (kai) has not been translated and a new sentence begun in the translation. they continued to proclaimtn The periphrastic construction εὐαγγελιζόμενοι ἦσαν (euangelizomenoi hsan) has been translated as a progressive imperfect. the good news.

8 Intn Grk “And in.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. Lystrasn Lystra was a city in Lycaonia about 18 mi (30 km) south of Iconium.map For location see JP1-E2; JP2-E2; JP3-E2. sat a man who could not use his feet,tn Grk “powerless in his feet,” meaning he was unable to use his feet to walk. lame from birth,tn Grk “lame from his mother’s womb” (an idiom).sn The description lame from birth makes clear how serious the condition was, and how real it was. This event is very similar to Acts 3:1-10, except here the lame man’s faith is clear from the start. who had never walked.

9 This man was listening to Paul as he was speaking. When Paultn Grk “speaking, who.” The relative pronoun has been replaced by the noun “Paul,” and a new sentence begun in the translation because an English relative clause would be very awkward here. staredtn Or “looked.” intently at him and saw he had faith to be healed,

10 he said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.”tn BDAG 722 s.v. ὀρθός 1.a has “stand upright on your feet.” And the mantn Grk “he”; the referent (the man) has been specified in the translation for clarity. leaped up and began walking.tn This verb is imperfect tense in contrast to the previous verb, which is aorist. It has been translated ingressively, since the start of a sequence is in view here.

11 So when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shoutedtn Grk “they lifted up their voice” (an idiom). in the Lycaonian language,tn Grk “in Lycaonian, saying.” The word “language” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated. “The gods have come down to us in human form!”tn So BDAG 707 s.v. ὁμοιόω 1. However, L&N 64.4 takes the participle ὁμοιωθέντες (Jomoiwqente") as an adjectival participle modifying θεοί (qeoi): “the gods resembling men have come down to us.”sn The gods have come down to us in human form. Greek culture spoke of “divine men.” In this region there was a story of Zeus and Hermes visiting the area (Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.611-725). The locals failed to acknowledge them, so judgment followed. The present crowd was determined not to make the mistake a second time.

12 They began to calltn The imperfect verb ἐκάλουν (ekaloun) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect. Barnabas Zeussn Zeus was the chief Greek deity, worshiped throughout the Greco-Roman world (known to the Romans as Jupiter). and Paul Hermes,sn Hermes was a Greek god who (according to Greek mythology) was the messenger of the gods and the god of oratory (equivalent to the Roman god Mercury). because he was the chief speaker.

13 The priest of the templetn The words “the temple of” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. The translation “the priest of (the temple/shrine of) Zeus located before the city” is given for this phrase by BDAG 426 s.v. Ζεύς. of Zeus,sn See the note on Zeus in the previous verse. located just outside the city, brought bullstn Or “oxen.” and garlandstn Or “wreaths.”sn Garlands were commonly wreaths of wool with leaves and flowers woven in, worn on a person’s head or woven around a staff. They were an important part of many rituals used to worship pagan gods. Although it was an erroneous reaction, the priest’s reaction shows how all acknowledged their power and access to God. to the city gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices to them.tn The words “to them” are not in the Greek text, but are clearly implied by the response of Paul and Barnabas in the following verse.

14 But when the apostlessn The apostles Barnabas and Paul. This is one of only two places where Luke calls Paul an apostle, and the description here is shared with Barnabas. This is a nontechnical use here, referring to a commissioned messenger. Barnabas and Paul heard abouttn The participle ἀκούσαντες (akousante") is taken temporally. it, they toretn Grk “tearing their clothes they rushed out.” The participle διαρρήξαντες (diarrhxante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. This action is a Jewish response to blasphemy (m. Sanhedrin 7.5; Jdt 14:16-17). their clothes and rushed outtn So BDAG 307 s.v. ἐκπηδάω 1, “rush (lit. ‘leap’) out…εἰς τὸν ὄχλον into the crowd Ac 14:14.” into the crowd, shouting,tn Grk “shouting and saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes, in v. 15) has not been translated because it is redundant.sn What follows is one of two speeches in Acts to a purely pagan audience (Acts 17 in Athens is the other). So Paul focused on God as Creator, a common link.

15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We too are men, with human naturestn Grk “with the same kinds of feelings,” L&N 25.32. BDAG 706 s.v. ὁμοιοπαθής translates the phrase “with the same nature τινί as someone.” In the immediate context, the contrast is between human and divine nature, and the point is that Paul and Barnabas are mere mortals, not gods. just like you! We are proclaiming the good news to you, so that you should turntn Grk “in order that you should turn,” with ἐπιστρέφειν (epistrefein) as an infinitive of purpose, but this is somewhat awkward contemporary English. To translate the infinitive construction “proclaim the good news, that you should turn,” which is much smoother English, could give the impression that the infinitive clause is actually the content of the good news, which it is not. The somewhat less formal “to get you to turn” would work, but might convey to some readers manipulativeness on the part of the apostles. Thus “proclaim the good news, so that you should turn,” is used, to convey that the purpose of the proclamation of good news is the response by the hearers. The emphasis here is like 1 Thess 1:9-10. from these worthlesstn Or “useless,” “futile.” The reference is to idols and idolatry, worshiping the creation over the Creator (Rom 1:18-32). See also 1 Kgs 16:2, 13, 26; 2 Kgs 17:15; Jer 2:5; 8:19; 3 Macc 6:11. things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth,tn Grk “and the earth, and the sea,” but καί (kai) has not been translated before “the earth” and “the sea” since contemporary English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. the sea, and everything that is in them.

16 Intn Grk “them, who in.” The relative pronoun (“who”) was replaced by the pronoun “he” (“In past generations he”) and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style, due to the length of the sentence in Greek and the awkwardness of two relative clauses (“who made the heaven” and “who in past generations”) following one another. pasttn On this term see BDAG 780 s.v. παροίχομαι. The word is a NT hapax legomenon. generations he allowed all the nationstn Or “all the Gentiles” (in Greek the word for “nation” and “Gentile” is the same). The plural here alludes to the variety of false religions in the pagan world. to go their own ways,

17 yet he did not leave himself without a witness by doing good,tn The participle ἀγαθουργῶν (agaqourgwn) is regarded as indicating means here, parallel to the following participles διδούς (didou") and ἐμπιπλῶν (empiplwn). This is the easiest way to understand the Greek structure. Semantically, the first participle is a general statement, followed by two participles giving specific examples of doing good. by giving you rain from heaventn Or “from the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”). and fruitful seasons, satisfying youtn Grk “satisfying [filling] your hearts with food and joy.” This is an idiomatic expression; it strikes the English reader as strange to speak of “filling one’s heart with food.” Thus the additional direct object “you” has been supplied, separating the two expressions somewhat: “satisfying you with food and your hearts with joy.” with food and your hearts with joy.”sn 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 establish monotheism here. It is an OT theme (Gen 8:22; Ps 4:7; 145:15-16; 147:8-9; Isa 25:6; Jer 5:24) which also appears in the NT (Luke 12:22-34).

18 Even by sayingtn The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is regarded as indicating means. these things, they scarcely persuadedtn BDAG 524 s.v. καταπαύω 2.b gives both “restrain” and “dissuade someone fr. someth.,” but “they scarcely dissuaded the crowds from offering sacrifice,” while accurate, is less common in contemporary English than saying “they scarcely persuaded the crowds not to offer sacrifice.” Paganism is portrayed as a powerful reality that is hard to reverse. the crowds not to offer sacrifice to them.

19 But Jews came from Antiochsn Antioch was a city in Pisidia about 90 mi (145 km) west northwest of Lystra.map For location see JP1-E2; JP2-E2; JP3-E2; JP4-E2. and Iconium,sn Iconium was a city in Lycaonia about 18 mi (30 km) north of Lystra. Note how Jews from other cities were chasing Paul (2 Cor 11:4-6; Gal 2:4-5; Acts 9:16). and after winningtn The participle πείσαντες (peisante") is taken temporally (BDAG 791 s.v. πείθω 1.c). the crowds over, they stonedtn Grk “stoning Paul they dragged him.” The participle λιθάσαντες (liqasante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. Paul and dragged him out of the city, presuming him to be dead.

20 But after the disciples had surrounded him, he got up and went backtn Grk “and entered”; the word “back” is not in the Greek text but is implied. into the city. Ontn Grk “And on.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.sn Derbe was a city in Lycaonia about 35 mi (60 km) southeast of Lystra. This was the easternmost point of the journey.map For location see JP1-E2; JP2-E2; JP3-E2.

21 After they had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra,sn Lystra was a city in Lycaonia about 35 mi (60 km) northwest of Derbe.map For location see JP1-E2; JP2-E2; JP3-E2. to Iconium,sn Iconium was a city in Lycaonia about 18 mi (30 km) north of Lystra. and to Antioch.sn Antioch was a city in Pisidia about 90 mi (145 km) west northwest of Lystra.map For location see JP1-E2; JP2-E2; JP3-E2; JP4-E2.

22 They strengthenedtn Grk “to Antioch, strengthening.” Due to the length of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English to use shorter sentences, a new sentence was started here. This participle (ἐπιστηρίζοντες, episthrizonte") and the following one (παρακαλοῦντες, parakalounte") have been translated as finite verbs connected by the coordinating conjunction “and.” the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continuesn And encouraged them to continue. The exhortations are like those noted in Acts 11:23; 13:43. An example of such a speech is found in Acts 20:18-35. Christianity is now characterized as “the faith.” in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdomsn This reference to the kingdom of God clearly refers to its future arrival. of God through many persecutions.”tn Or “sufferings.”

23 When they had appointed elderssn Appointed elders. See Acts 20:17. for them in the various churches,tn The preposition κατά (kata) is used here in a distributive sense; see BDAG 512 s.v. κατά B.1.d. with prayer and fastingtn Literally with a finite verb (προσευξάμενοι, proseuxamenoi) rather than a noun, “praying with fasting,” but the combination “prayer and fasting” is so familiar in English that it is preferable to use it here. they entrusted them to the protectiontn BDAG 772 s.v. παρατίθημι 3.b has “entrust someone to the care or protection of someone” for this phrase. The reference to persecution or suffering in the context (v. 22) suggests “protection” is a better translation here. This looks at God’s ultimate care for the church. of the Lord in whom they had believed.

24 Then they passed throughtn Grk “Then passing through Pisidia they came.” The participle διελθόντες (dielqonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. Pisidia and came into Pamphylia,sn Pamphylia was a province along the southern coast of Asia Minor.

25 and when they had spoken the wordtn Or “message.” in Perga,sn Perga was a city in Pamphylia near the southern coast of Asia Minor. they went down to Attalia.sn Attalia was a seaport in the province of Pamphylia on the southern coast of Asia Minor, about 12 mi (20 km) southwest of Perga.

26 From there they sailed back to Antioch,sn Antioch was the city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia) from which Paul’s first missionary journey began (see Acts 13:1-4). That first missionary journey ends here, after covering some 1,400 mi (2,240 km).map For location see JP1-F2; JP2-F2; JP3-F2; JP4-F2. where they had been commendedtn Or “committed.” BDAG 762 s.v. παραδίδωμι 2 gives “commended to the grace of God for the work 14:26” as the meaning for this phrase, although “give over” and “commit” are listed as alternative meanings for this category. to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.tn BDAG 829 s.v. πληρόω 5 has “to bring to completion an activity in which one has been involved from its beginning, complete, finish” as meanings for this category. The ministry to which they were commissioned ends with a note of success.

27 When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reportedtn Or “announced.” all the things Godsn Note that God is the subject of the activity. The outcome of this mission is seen as a confirmation of the mission to the Gentiles. had done with them, and that he had opened a doorsn On the image of opening, or of the door, see 1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12; Col 4:3. of faith for the Gentiles.

28 So they spenttn BDAG 238 s.v. διατρίβω gives the meaning as “spend” when followed by an accusative τὸν χρόνον (ton cronon) which is the case here. considerabletn Grk “no little (time)” (an idiom). time with the disciples.