Preface: This chapter continues the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. They will travel through the cities of Iconium, Lystra and Derbe, and then make their way back through these same cities, and also stopping off at Attalia and Perga (two cities near/at the coast of Pamphylia). They will return by ship to Syria, not returned to Cyprus on their way back.

Bible Summary: Many believed at Iconium. The crowd at Lystra wanted to worship Paul, then they stoned him. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch.

The “Key” & Main Points of Chapter 14 (a chart); from Slide Player; accessed June 30, 2022.

This should be the most extensive examination of Acts 14 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Brief Overview: (taken from Light of the Word; accessed April 22, 2022). Additional material from Wikipedia (also accessed April 22, 2022).

Time and Place as per Modern Literal Version 2020:

45-48 AD. Asia Minor. Paul’s first missionary journey from Antioch to Perga, Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and back to Antioch in Syria.

48-50 AD. Antioch. April 5, 49 AD A skirmish between Roman troops & the Jews at the Passover.

Outline of Chapter 14:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–7           Paul and Barnabas Proclaim the Gospel in Iconium

         vv.     8–18         After a Miraculous Healing, Paul and Barnabas Are Worshiped in Lystra

         vv.    19–20         A Few Days Later, Paul is Stoned to Death in Lystra

         vv.    21–23         Paul and Barnabas Stop at Derbe, then Return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch

         vv.    24–28         After Stopping at Perga and Attalia, Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch of Syria

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Preface

         Preface               Brief Overview

         Preface               The “Key” & Main Points of Chapter 14 (a chart)

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Acts 14 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Acts 14 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Acts 14

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel to Acts 14

         Introduction         The Principals of Acts 14

         Introduction         The Places of Acts 14

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Acts 14

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Acts 14 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Acts 14 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Acts 9–16)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

         v. 

         v. 

         v.       2              Iconium, Lystra, Derbe & Back (a map)

         v. 

         v. 

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         v. 

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         v. 

         v. 

         v.      11              The Children of Uranus and Gaia (a chart)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      19              Paul Refers Back to this Stoning Three Times

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      21              Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe (a map)

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v. 

         v.      24              Paul’s First Missionary Journey (a map)

         v. 

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         v. 

         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Acts 14 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Acts 14

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Acts 14

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum          Kretzmann Commentary Footnote for Acts 14:1–7

         Addendum          Extensive Footnote for Acts 14:7b (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann Commentary Footnote for Acts 14:8–13

         Addendum          Kretzmann Commentary Footnote for Acts 14:14–18

         Addendum          Footnote for Acts 14:21 (The Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Kretzmann Commentary Footnote for Acts 14:19–23

         Addendum          Kretzmann Commentary Footnote for Acts 14:24–28

         Addendum 

         Addendum 

         Addendum 

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Acts 14

         Addendum 

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Acts 14

         Addendum          Word Cloud from the Kukis Paraphrase of Acts 14

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Acts 14

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An Introduction to Acts 14

I ntroduction: Acts 14 continues and concludes the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. This first missionary journey began in Acts 13 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD) and it will conclude in this chapter. Although it would make more sense to me for this journey to be contained in a single chapter, those who divided up this book into chapters did not do it that way.

What appears to be the case is, when Paul and Barnabas face deadly threats, they move on to the next city (in one case, it will appear that Paul is stoned to death). This is covered in narrative form only. There are no verses which give us the reasoning. Therefore, let me suggest that Paul and Barnabas are simply using common sense. These men are not afraid nor are they done with those cities where they have trouble (they will return to them). When they face serious threats, they seem to be ready to move on.

Do they take this as a sign from God? My point of view is, they are aware that James has been killed and that they will face strong persecution. They are also aware that, on a missionary tour, they cannot spend a huge amount of time in any one city, as they have limited time and funds.

What appears to be the case is, Paul and Barnabas will plant the seed and come back later to see how much it has grown.

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Paul and Barnabas Proclaim the Gospel in Iconium

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    But it happened in Iconium, according to the same, to enter in them to the synagogue of the Jews and to speak accordingly so that believe not only Jews but Hellenists a great multitude. But the disbelieving stirred up [others] and they harmed the souls of the gentiles according to the brothers.

Complete Apostles’ Bible      And it came to pass in Iconium that they went in together into the synagogue of the Jews, and they spoke in a way so that a great multitude, both of the Jews and of the Greeks, believed.

But the disbelieving Jews aroused and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews and so spoke that a very great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks did believe.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and incensed the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        And they came and entered into The Kenushtha d'Yehudaye {The Synagogue/Assembly of the Judeans/the Jews}, and they spoke in such a way with them so as that many believed from the Yehudaye {the Judeans/the Jews} and from the Yawnaye {the Greeks}.

Then, Yehudaye {Judeans/Jews}; those who were not convinced, were inciting the Gentiles, so that they might do harm unto The Brothers.

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And they came and entered into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke with them, that many of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

But Jews of the class of unbelievers, excited the Gentiles, to maltreat the brethren.

Original Aramaic NT              And they came and entered the synagogue of the Jews, and thus they spoke with them, so many of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

But the Jews who were unconvinced stirred up the Gentiles to harm the brethren.

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             Now in Iconium they went together to the Synagogue of the Jews and gave such teaching that a great number of Jews and Greeks had faith. 

But those Jews who had not the faith, made the minds of the Gentiles bitter against the brothers.

Bible in Worldwide English     In Iconium Paul and Barnabas did as they had done before in other places. They went into the Jews meeting place and spoke. Many of the Jews and the other people believed. But the Jews who did not believe said wrong things about them. They spoiled the minds of those who were not Jews so that they hated the Christian.

Easy English                          This is what happened in Iconium

When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Iconium, they did the same as they had done before. They went to the Jewish meeting place and they spoke God's message there. They spoke very clearly, so that many Jews and Gentiles believed in Jesus. But some of the Jews refused to believe God's message. They told the Gentiles that they too should not believe it. The Jews put bad thoughts into the minds of the Gentiles so that they became angry against the believers.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Paul and Barnabas went to the city of Iconium. As they did in Antioch, they entered the Jewish synagogue. They spoke to the people there. They spoke so well that many Jews and Greeks believed what they said. But some of the Jews did not believe. They said things that caused the non-Jewish people to be angry and turn against the believers.

God’s Word™                         The same thing happened in the city of Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went into the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large crowd of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up some people who were not Jewish and poisoned their minds against the believers.

Good News Bible (TEV)         The same thing happened in Iconium: Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of Jews and Gentiles became believers. But the Jews who would not believe stirred up the Gentiles and turned them against the believers.

J. B. Phillips                           Jewish behaviour repeats itself

Much the same thing happened at Iconium. On their arrival they went to the Jewish synagogue and spoke with such conviction that a very large number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the feelings of the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

The Message                         When they got to Iconium they went, as they always did, to the meeting place of the Jews and gave their message. The Message convinced both Jews and non-Jews—and not just a few, either. But the unbelieving Jews worked up a whispering campaign against Paul and Barnabas, sowing mistrust and suspicion in the minds of the people in the street.

NIRV                                      Paul and Barnabas Preach in Iconium

At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue as usual. They spoke there with great power. Large numbers of Jews and Greeks became believers. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up some of the Gentiles who were there. They turned them against the two men and the new believers.

New Life Version                    Paul and Barnabas Preach in Iconium

In the city of Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish place of worship. They preached with power and many people became Christians. These people were Jews and Greeks. But the Jews who did not want to believe worked against those who were not Jews. They made them turn against the Christians.

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              ACTS 14

MISSIONARIES LOOKING FOR A WELCOME MAT

RUN OUT OF TOWN, AGAIN

When Paul and Barnabas got to Iconium, [1] they did the same thing they had done in other towns. They went to the local synagogue. There, they boldly talked up such a storm that they convinced a lot of people into believing them—Jews and non-Jews. But some Jews didn’t believe them. They stirred up trouble. They spread poison about Paul and Barnabas, even among the non-Jews.

¹14:1Iconium was about a 100-mile (160-km) walk along the trails from Antioch in Pisidia—about a one-week trip by foot.

Contemporary English V.       Paul and Barnabas spoke in the Jewish meeting place in Iconium, just as they had done at Antioch, and many Jews and Gentiles put their faith in the Lord. But the Jews who did not have faith in him made the other Gentiles angry and turned them against the Lord's followers.

The Living Bible                     At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went together to the synagogue and preached with such power that many—both Jews and Gentiles—believed.

But the Jews who spurned God’s message stirred up distrust among the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas, saying all sorts of evil things about them.

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

The same thing happened in Iconium.^[a] Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas.

[a] Iconium, as well as Lystra and Derbe (14:6), were towns in what is now Turkey.

The Passion Translation        When Paul and Barnabas arrived at Iconium, the same thing happened there. They went, as they always did, to the synagogue and preached to the people with such power that a large crowd of both Jews and non-Jews believed.  Some of the Jews refused to believe, and they began to poison the minds of the non-Jews to discredit the believers.

Plain English Version             Paul and Barnabas told people about Jesus, in Iconium and Listra

The same thing happened in the town called Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish meeting house, and they talked strongly about Jesus to the people there. They told them that God is very good to people. And a big mob of people believed in Jesus. Some of them were Jews, and some of them were not Jews. But there were other Jewish people that didn’t believe in Jesus, and they talked to the other people that were not Jews, and they got them to hate the Christians.

Radiant New Testament        Paul and Barnabas Preach in Iconium

At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue, as they usually did. They spoke there with great power, and large numbers of Jews and Greeks became believers. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up some of the other Gentiles and turned them against the believers.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish meeting place and spoke very powerfully about the Lord Jesus. As a result, many Jews and also non-Jews believed in Jesus. But some of the Jews refused to believe that message. They told the non-Jews not to believe it; they made some of the non-Jews angry toward the believers there.

Williams’ New Testament      At Iconium too they went to the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks came to believe. But the Jews who refused to accept their message aroused and exasperated the minds of the heathen against the brothers.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          Then the same thing happened in Iconium.

[Paul and BarNabas] went into the Jewish synagogue together to speak, and a large number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. V. 2 will be placed with the next passage for context.

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            It happened in Iconium in line with the same process, for them to go into the synagogue of the Jewish people and to speak this way, in such a way for a very large number of both Jewish people and Greeks to trust. The Jewish people who did not believe roused up and did bad to the souls of the non-Jews against the brothers.

Common English Bible           Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke as they had before. As a result, a huge number of Jews and Greeks believed. However, the Jews who rejected the faith stirred up the Gentiles, poisoning their minds against the brothers

Len Gane Paraphrase           Soon after in Iconium, they both went together into the Jew's synagogue and spake the same thing, so that a large group of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews incited the Gentiles and made their minds to be very angry against the brethren.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles And it came to pass at Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude, both of the Jews and of the Greeks, believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and filled them with malignity against the brethren.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       While they were at Iconium, they went into the Jewish synagogue together, and preached in such a way that a great number both of Jews and of Greeks found faith, although the Jews who would not believe stirred up trouble among the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

NT for Everyone                     Iconium

What happened in Iconium was much the same. They went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke, with the result that a large crowd, of both Jews and Greeks, came to faith. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers.

20^th Century New Testament The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish Synagogue, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed in Christ. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles, and poisoned their minds against the Brethren.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Conservapedia Translation    It came to pass in Iconium, that they both went together into the Jewish synagogue, and spoke so powerfully that a great multitude of both Jew and Greek believed. The unbelieving Jews incited the Gentiles, and influenced their minds to think evil against the brothers.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                At Iconium.

Arriving then at Iconium, they entered together the Jewish synagogue, and spoke in such a manner, that a considerable number both of Jews and of Greeks believed.

But the unbelieving Judeans excited and embittered the spirits of the heathen against the brethren.

Free Bible Version                 In Iconium the same thing happened. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and spoke so convincingly that many of both the Jewish and Greek-speaking worshipers trusted in Jesus.

But the Jews that refused to believe in Jesus stirred up the feelings of the foreigners*, and poisoned them against the believers.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           And it fortuned in Iconium that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jewes, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jewes and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews, stirred up and unquieted the minds of the gentiles against the brethren.

International Standard V        Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas [Lit. Iconium, they] went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Riverside New Testament      IN Iconium Paul and Barnabas went in the same way into the synagogue and spoke so that a large number both of Jews and of Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews excited and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      And at Iconium they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude of the Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews excited the minds of the gentiles against the brothers, and made them ill-disposed.

Worsley’s New Testament    And at Iconium they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great number both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and inflamed the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     Iconium is evangelized

• In Iconium Paul and Barnabas likewise went into the Jewish synagogue and preached in such a manner that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who would not believe stirred up the pagan people and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

• 14.1 What happened in Antioch in Pisidia happens here as well: Paul and Barnabas speak fearlessly. This is one of the characteristics of the genuine apostle, moved by the Holy Spirit. This self-assurance has a powerful influence on the conversion of the audience, but it is not a natural human gift. Paul will indicate that God gives it to preachers who place their trust in God, especially when they feel the weakest and the least prepared (see 1 Thes 2:2 and 2 Cor 12:10).

The Heritage Bible                          And it was, in Iconium they went in together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke so that a large multitude both of the Jews and Greeks believed.

But the unconvinced Jews stirred up the races, and made their souls evil against the brothers.

New Catholic Bible                 Jews and Gentiles at Iconium.^[a] In Iconium, they went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke so effectively that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. However, the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

[a] A good number of both Jews and Gentiles accept the Gospel. But the crucial question is this: Since the Gospel is so anchored in the movement of the history of Israel, is it not a perversion to open the Church to the Gentiles? And the answer is: No. It is a new message: the word of God is for everyone.

New Jerusalem Bible             It happened that at Iconium they went to the Jewish synagogue, in the same way, and they spoke so effectively that a great many Jews and Greeks became believers. (However, the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the gentiles against the brothers and set them in opposition.)

Revised English Bible–1989   At Iconium they went together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke to such purpose that Jews and Greeks in large numbers became believers. But the unconverted Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the Christians.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           In Iconium the same thing happened — they went into the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large number of both Jews and Greeks came to trust. But the Jews who would not be persuaded stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Hebraic Roots Bible               And it happened in Iconium, they went in together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke so as for a huge multitude of both Jews and Greeks to believe.

But the unbelieving Jews raised up and embittered the souls of the gentiles against the brothers.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    When Paul and Barnabas went to the town of Iconium, they entered the Jewish house of worship. (This is what they did in every town.) They spoke to the people there in such a way that many Jews and non-Jews believed what they said. However, some of the Jews did not believe. These Jews stirred up the non-Jewish people and made them persecute the brothers.

The Scriptures 2009              And it came to be in Ikonion that they went together into the congregation of the Yehuim, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Yehuim and Greeks believed. 

But the Yehuim who would not obey stirred up the nations and evilly influenced their beings against the brothers.

Tree of Life Version                Now in Iconium, the same thing happened—they entered as usual into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large number of Jewish and Greek people believed.

But the Jewish people who would not believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...becomes but in iconium in the it to enter them to the assembly [of] the jews and to speak so that to believe [of] jews also and [of] greeks much crowd The but (Not) Believing Jews arouse {them} and [They] hurt the lives [of] the nations against the brothers...

Awful Scroll Bible                   Moreover, it happened from-within Iconium, they were to come-towards down in it, into the drawing-together of the Jews, and the same-as-this they are to speak, so-as a large multitude of both Jews and Greeks, are to confide.

But those not confiding of the Jews, rise-up-against the multitude, and accordingly afflict the lives of the brothers.

Concordant Literal Version    Now in Iconium the same thing occurred at their entering into the synagogue of the Jews and speaking, so that a vast multitude of both Jews and Greeks believe."

Yet the stubborn Jews rouse up and provoke the souls of the nations against the brethren.

exeGeses companion Bible   MINISTRY IN THE ICONIUM SYNAGOGUE

And so be it, in Iconium,

they enter the synagogue of the Yah Hudiym together,

and thus speak;

so that a vast multitude

both of the Yah Hudiym and of the Hellenists trust:

and the distrusting Yah Hudiym rouse the goyim

and vilify their souls against the brothers.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Now it came about in Iconium that together they entered into the shul and the same thing transpired: they spoke with the result that both Yehudim and a great multitude of Yevanim became ma'aminim hameshichiyim.

And the Yehudim who disobeyed were the ones who aroused and stirred up in anger the nefashot (souls) of the Goyim keneged (against) the Achim b'Moshiach.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. And it came to passˎ in Iconiumˎ that they together entered into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spakeˎ that there believedˎ both of Jews and Greeks, a greatʹ throng. But ||the unpersuadedʹ Jews|| roused up and provoked the souls of them of the nations against the brethren.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Acceptance and Opposition

Now in Iconium Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way [with such power and boldness] that a large number of Jews as well as Greeks believed [and confidently accepted Jesus as Savior]; but the unbelieving Jews [who rejected Jesus as Messiah] stirred up and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the believers [Lit brethren.].

An Understandable Version   It happened in Iconium that Paul and Barnabas [again] entered the Jewish synagogue and presented the message [so powerfully] that a large number of both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] became believers. But the Jews who did not obey [the Gospel message] incited the spirits of the [unconverted] Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

The Expanded Bible              Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

In Iconium [13:51], ·Paul and Barnabas [^L they] went as usual to the Jewish synagogue [^C they typically appealed to their fellow Jews first]. They spoke ·so well [^L in such a way] that a great many Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who did not believe ·excited [stirred up] the Gentiles and ·turned them [poisoned their minds; ^L harmed/did evil to their souls] against the ·believers [^L brothers (and sisters)].

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now in Iconium, the same thing happened [for] them: to enter into the synagogue of the Jews, and then to speak to them in such a way so that a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks [thus: non-Jews] at once came to trust and to believe!

Yet the Jews [who] were at that point being unconvinced (or: stubborn) rose up on [the situation; D reads: But the synagogue leaders of the Jews, and synagogue rulers brought persecution upon them – against those of the rightwised Way – ] and acted in a worthless manner so as to badly effect the souls (inner lives) of the non-Jews (folks of the nations; = the Greeks that were involved) in a negative manner in regard to the brothers [= either those with Paul and Barnabas, or, those of the synagogue who had become brothers; D adds: but the Lord soon granted peace {to the situation}].

Syndein/Thieme                     And it came to pass in Iconium {city in South Galacia}, that they {Paul and Barnabas} went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke with the result that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up {mob action} the Gentiles, and made their minds poisoned {evil affected} against the brethren.

Translation for Translators     Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel and performed miracles in Iconium.

Acts 14:1-3

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish meeting place and spoke very convincingly about the Lord Jesus. As a result, many Jews and also non-Jews believed in Jesus. But some of the Jews refused to believe that message, and told the non-Jews not to believe it. They told the non-Jewish people that the message about Jesus was not true. As a result, some of the non-Jews became angry towards the believers there. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there speaking boldly for the Lord, and the Lord Jesus enabled them to do many miracles. In this way he showed people that the message about how the Lord saves us in a way that we do not deserve is true. V. 3 is included for context.

The results in Iconium were similar. Paul and Barnabas began in the Jewish synagogue, bringing a great number of ethnic Jews and Greek converts to faith in Jesus. But the other Jews who wouldn’t believe agitated the outsiders and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Bible Translations with a Lot of Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         Preaching in Iconium

Now it happened that in Iconium they entered together [Literally “according to the same”] into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke in such a way that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up and poisoned the minds [Literally “embittered the souls”] of the Gentiles against the brothers.

NET Bible®                             Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

The same thing happened in Iconium¹ when Paul and Barnabas² went into the Jewish synagogue³ and spoke in such a way that a large group⁴ of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe⁵ stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds⁶ against the brothers.

^1sn Iconium. See the note in 13:51.

^2tn Grk “they”; the referents (Paul and Barnabas) have been specified in the translation for clarity.

^3sn See the note on synagogue in 6:9.

^29sn A synagogue was a place for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (cf. Luke 8:41). Though the origin of the synagogue is not entirely clear, it seems to have arisen in the postexilic community during the intertestamental period. A town could establish a synagogue if there were at least ten men. In normative Judaism of the NT period, the OT scripture was read and discussed in the synagogue by the men who were present (see the Mishnah, m. Megillah 3-4; m. Berakhot 2).

^4tn Or “that a large crowd.”

^5tn Or “who would not believe.”

^6tn 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.”

The Spoken English NT         Paul and Barnabas Preach in Iconium
The same thing happened in Iconium.^a They went in the Jewish synagogue^b and spoke, and^c a large number of Jews and of Gentiles^d became believers.^e

But the Jews who didn’t believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned them^f against the brothers and sisters.

^a.Prn. eye-koe-nee-am.

^b.Prn. sinn-a-gogg.

^c.Lit. “with the result that.”

^d.Lit. “Greeks.” It’s just a way of talking about the Gentiles.

^e.Or simply, “believed.”

^f.Lit. “turned their souls bad.”

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Iconium
Now it happened in Iconium that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and they spoke to such effect that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the disobedient Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Analytical-Literal Translation  Now it happened in Iconium [that] they entered by the same [way] into the synagogue of the Jews, and they spoke in such a manner [that] a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the refusing to believe Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers [and sisters].

Benjamin Brodie’s trans.       Now it came to pass in Iconium, after they [Paul and Barnabas] entered the synagogue of the Jews together and began speaking in their customary fashion, that a large crowd of both Jews and Gentiles [proselytes] believed.

But the unbelieving Jews [old Israel] stirred-up and angered the minds [by lies, slander, and character assassination] of the Gentiles [unbelievers] against their brethren [new Israel].

Bond Slave Version               And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Charles Thomson NT             Now the disciples were filled with joy and a holy spirit, and at Iconium they went in the same manner to the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke so that a great number both of Jews and Greeks believed. But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and disaffected the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren. V. 13:52 is included for context.

Context Group Version          In Iconium they entered together into the community center of the Judeans, and spoke in this way so that a great multitude both of Judeans and of Hellenists trusted. But the Judeans that were unpersuaded stirred up the lives of the ethnic groups, and made them evil affected against the brothers.

Legacy Standard Bible           In Iconium

Now it happened that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. But the unbelieving [Or disobeying] Jews instigated and embittered the minds [Lit souls] of the Gentiles against the brothers.

Literal Standard Version        And it came to pass in Iconium, that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spoke, so that there believed a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks;

and the unbelieving Jews stirred up and made the souls of the nations evil against the brothers;

[for a] long time, indeed, therefore, they abided speaking boldly in the LORD, who is testifying to the word of His grace, and granting signs and wonders to come to pass through their hands. V. 3 is included for context.

Modern Literal Version 2020  Now it happened in Iconium according-to the same thing, for they themselves to enter into the synagogue of the Jews and to speak thus, so-then for a large multitude to believe, both from the Jews and from the Greeks.

But the disobedient Jews awakened and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brethren.

New European Version          Opposition to the work of preaching

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

New Matthew Bible                And it happened in Iconium that Paul and Barnabas went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great number both of the Jews, and also of the Greeks, believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and disquieted the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.

Revised Geneva Translation  And it so happened in Iconium that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke, so that a great multitude of both the Jews and the Hellenists believed.

And the unbelieving Jews stirred up and corrupted the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers.

The gist of this passage:     Paul and Barnabas move on to Iconium, with a very similar response to that in Antioch of Pisidia.

1-2

Translation: It came to pass in Iconium,...

To get geographically oriented, I have provided another map below.

From Wikipedia: Iconium is called Konya today; and it is in the country of Turkey. It has been occupied since the 3000 b.c., and ruled variously by the Hittites, the Phrygians, the Classical Greeks, the Persians and the Romans. The ancient historian Xenophon describes Iconium...as the last city of Phrygia. As Attalus III, the last king of Pergamon, was about to die without an heir, he bequeathed his kingdom to the Roman Republic. Once incorporated into the Roman Empire, under emperor Claudius, the city's name was changed to Claudiconium.

Paul and Barnabas continue with this first missionary journey. Previously, in Antioch of Pisidia, they achieved a great deal of success. But with success came a great deal of opposition. The same will be true of Iconium.

Translation: ...in the same [way as Antioch]:...

I am not familiar with this phrase, but it appears to indicate that, what happened before happened again in a similar fashion. Most translations seemed to ignore this phrase (ESV, Green’s literal translation, Webster, WEB).

The MLV translated it, according-to the same thing; BLB: according to the same; ALT: by the same [way]; Charles Thomson Bible: the same manner; BWE: did as they had done before in other places; BSB: as usual; BV: with the same process; CEV: just as they had done at Antioch; ERV: As they did in Antioch. The CLV uses this as a subject for the first verb, rendering it: the same thing occurred; the FBV, God’s Word™ and the GNB (The same thing happened in Iconium) are very similar. Several translations appeared to understand this to me together, together with, although I do not see from where they are getting that.

I believe that most of these have merit, but I like the approach of the CLV, FBV, God’s Word™ and the Good News Bible, even though they all add some additional words. Quite frankly, when I put together the translation above, I was not even thinking about these translations, but I see how we came to the same conclusion.

Having been brought up in Berachah Church, I have leaned towards a very literal translation of the Bible, and I am not backing off from that. However, on many occasions, I have found some of these simplified English or paraphrased Bible to be very helpful. I believe that everyone ought to have a reading Bible taken from the first two or three groups which I list in the Bible translations (not the translations from other ancient languages).

Translation: ...[Paul and Barnabas] entered into the Jewish synagogue...

In the Greek, this reads, they entered into; but in the English, we like to have our subjects spelled out for us; therefore, I have inserted Paul and Barnabas here.

So, they are in Iconium and they enter into the Jewish synagogue there.

Quite obviously, what is done then and what is done now is quite different. It would never occur to me to go into a Jewish synagogue today and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, similarly, it would never occur to Paul and Barnabas to so this in any other way. In their minds, the people to reach out to first are the Jewish people, and those interested would be found in the synagogues.

Some of the Jewish religious leaders in the ancient world did not even consider that their system of faith should be changed. To Paul and Barnabas, what they were presenting was the natural evolution of the Way of God. To the Jewish religious leaders, this whole Christian thing was a cult which sprung up, and it would, given time, just disappear. To Paul and Barnabas (and to the other disciples) they expected a natural progression of the synagogues to become places where Jesus Christ is worshiped.

I don’t know that anyone would have predicted that the Jewish faith would evolve into something different, but not Christianity. I don’t know if anyone thought that Christianity would become the greatest thing when it came to the faiths of the world.

Translation: ...and they spoke in a way that both Jews and Greeks—a large number—believed.

We do not have a sermon recorded here for us. We can be assured that Paul used the Old Testament regularly in his sermons, but that he presented Jesus Christ as front and center of the faith of God.

I would guess that nearly everyone knew about what happened in Jerusalem with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, but that they had not really put it all together yet. This is what Paul would do for them.

A very large number of Jews and Greeks believed in the Lord.

Acts 14:1 It came to pass in Iconium, in the same [way as Antioch]: [Paul and Barnabas] entered into the Jewish synagogue and they spoke in a way that both Jews and Greeks—a large number—believed. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

What took place in Antioch of Pisidia and in Iconium will seem to form a pattern for many of the places where Paul went. His team will evangelize the people there and receive a generally favorable response at first. However, there will emerge unregenerate Jews who will seek to make trouble for Paul and Barnabas.

Translation: However, those who did not believe stirred up [opposition]...

Nevertheless, there was some opposition—strong opposition. They stirred up the people against Paul and Barnabas.

Bear in mind that there is going to be a considerable population who don’t have much to do with the Jews living there and did not come out to see Paul and Barnabas proclaim the gospel. The Jews will try to get an alliance going between themselves and the disinterested political class along with those having influence in the city.