Acts 14:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 14:4

Was divided ( ἐσχίσθη ); hence σχίσμα a schism (see John 7:43 ; John 9:16 ; John 10:19 ; 1 Corinthians 1:10 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 14:4

Was divided - Into parties. Greek: there was a schism - Ἐσχίσθη Eschisthē.And part held with the Jews - Held to the doctrines of the Jews, in opposition to the apostles. A revival of religion often produces excitement by the bad passions of opposers. The enemies of the truth form parties, and organize opposition. It is no uncommon thing even now for such parties to be formed; but the fault is not in Christianity. It lies with those who form a party against religion, and who confederate... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 14:2-4

Acts 14:2-4. But the unbelieving Jews Who were greatly provoked at the growing success of the gospel, and studied all they could to put a stop to its progress; stirred up the Gentiles The idolatrous Gentiles, the heathen inhabitants of the place; and made their minds evil affected Greek, εκακωσαν τας ψυχας , irritated; or, exasperated their souls against the brethren Against the disciples of Christ, and especially against those celebrated teachers of a religion against which they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 14:1-28

Other churches in Galatia (14:1-28)Paul and Barnabas moved on to the town of Iconium, where events followed the same pattern as in Antioch. They preached in the synagogue and both Jews and Gentiles believed. But as the number of converts increased, the people of the city became clearly divided between supporters of the apostles and supporters of the Jewish leaders. Because of the threat of murder, the apostles fled the city and went to Lystra (14:1-7).When the apostles healed a crippled man in... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 14:4

divided . Greek. schizo, to rend; hence schisma, division. See John 7:43 ; John 9:16 ; John 10:19 . part . . . part = some indeed . . . but others. held = were. with . Greek. sun. App-104 . apostles . App-189 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 14:4

But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.City was divided ... In Luke 12:51-53, Jesus had clearly foretold the divisions that would inevitably follow the faithful preaching of the word. This division invariably issues from the polarization of men's hearts, either toward the Lord or against him. The two divisions here are the Christians and the non-Christians, with the latter probably being the majority.The apostles ... Paul and Barnabas... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 14:1-7

Ministry in Iconium 14:1-7 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 14:4

The "apostles" were Paul and Barnabas. Luke used the word "apostle" in a technical sense to describe the Twelve apostles plus Paul in Acts. He also used it less frequently in a non-technical sense to describe any believer sent out into the world with the salvation message (e.g., Acts 14:14; cf. Romans 16:7; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25). There were only 13 men with the office of apostleship, but there were many others who, with more or less gift, did the work of an apostle. Similarly... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:1-28

First Missionary Journey (continued)1-7. Paul and Barnabas at Iconium. The gospel meets with great success among both Jews and Gentiles in this populous city, and miracles are wrought in confirmation of the faith.2. The first persecution at Iconium, which probably took the form of arraigning the apostles before the magistrates, failed. Accordingly the second persecution (Acts 14:5) took the form of a popular tumult. Acts 14:2 reads thus in D, ’But the rulers of the synagogue of the Jews raised... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 14:4

(4) The multitude of the city was divided.—The context shows that St. Luke writes of the bulk of the heathen population. No numbers are given, but we may fairly assume that the converts were in a minority, and that they belonged, as a rule, to the lower classes (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), and that the chief men and women of the city, as at the Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50), were against them. The “rulers” who are named would seem, from the form of punishment selected, to have been those of the... read more

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