Acts 14:20-21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 14:19-28

We have here a further account of the services and sufferings of Paul and Barnabas. I. How Paul was stoned and left for dead, but miraculously came to himself again, Acts 14:19, 20. They fell upon Paul rather than Barnabas, because Paul, being the chief speaker, galled and vexed them more than Barnabas did. Now observe here, 1. How the people were incensed against Paul; not by any injury they pretended he had done them (if they took it for an affront that he would not let them misplace divine... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 14:19-20

14:19-20 There came certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium. They won over the crowds and they stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, for they thought he was dead. While the disciples stood in a circle round him he got up and he went into the city; and on the next day with Barnabas he went away to Derbe. In the midst of all the excitement at Lystra certain Jews arrived. They may have been there for one of two reasons. They may have been deliberately following Paul and Barnabas in a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 14:21-28

14:21-28 When they had preached the good news to that city and had made a considerable number of disciples they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. As they went they strengthened the souls of the disciples and urged them to abide in the faith, saying, "It is through many an affliction that we must enter into the kingdom of God." In each church they chose elders, and, when they had prayed with fasting, they offered them to the Lord in whom they had believed. When they had gone... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 14:20

Howbeit as the disciples stood round about him ,.... Weeping over him, and lamenting for him, and it may be praying to God, that he would restore him to life: however, they got about him, in order to take care of him, and provide for his interment: these were the young converts at Lystra, who, under the ministry of the apostles, were now brought to the faith of Christ; unless it can be thought, that they were such who followed them from other places, and attended them in their travels; but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 14:21

And when they had preached the Gospel to that city ,.... To the inhabitants of it, as they did in every place where they came, even the pure Gospel of Christ, the good news, and glad tidings of life and salvation by him: and had taught many ; or made them disciples, their ministry being blessed to bring many to the faith of Christ: they returned again to Lystra ; where Paul had been stoned: and to Iconium ; where both Jews and Gentiles, and the magistrates of the city, had... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:20

The disciples stood round about him - No doubt in earnest prayer, entreating the Author of life that his soul might again return to its battered tenement. He rose up - Miraculously restored, not only to life, but to perfect soundness so that he was able to walk into the city, that his persecutors might see the mighty power of God in his restoration, and the faith of the young converts be confirmed in the truth and goodness of God. It is strange that neither the young converts at Lystra,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:21

Preached the Gospel to that city - Derbe, a city in the same province. See on Acts 14:6 ; (note). They returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium - Behold the courage of these Christian men! They counted not their lives dear to them, and returned to do their Masters work in the very places in which they had been so grievously persecuted, and where one of them had been apparently stoned to death! The man who knows he is God's ambassador, and that his life depends on his fidelity to his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:20

Verse 20− 20.As the disciples. Though no man defended Paul, yet Luke showeth that the godly were desirous of his life; − (42) yet they did so moderate themselves, lest they should attempt anything with great danger to no end, seeing they could not help him unless it were done privily. And surely we must always mark what the Lord hath brought to our hand. If I, standing upon the bank, shall see a man in the midst of the water, and cannot reach him my hand when he is like to be drowned, − (43)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 14:1-28

The Word and the miracle. In the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth, whether by our Lord himself in the days of his flesh, or by the apostles after his ascension, two great instruments were in constant and simultaneous use—the preaching of the Word of God and the working of miracles. In the Gospels it is difficult to say which was the most prominent feature of our Lord's life—his preaching the Word or his mighty works of power. He himself places them side by side in his description... read more