But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Parallel translations
- WEB But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
- BSB The people of the city were divided. Some sided with the Jews, and others with the apostles.
- NKJV But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
- NASB But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, while others, with the apostles.
- NLT But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The city split, some siding with the unbelieving Jews and some with the apostles. The gospel inevitably divides people in their response.
Overview
Jesus had said He came to bring division as people respond to Him (Luke 12:51), and that division now appears in Iconium. Luke calls Paul and Barnabas 'apostles' here, a term he uses for them as commissioned messengers of the church (Acts 13:2-3). The split sets the stage for the violent attempt that follows.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Acts 28:24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
- Acts 14:14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
- Acts 19:9But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
- Acts 17:4–5And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
- Luke 11:21–23When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
- Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
- Luke 12:51–53Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
- Matt 10:34–36Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
- Mic 7:6For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.
- Luke 2:34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
- John 7:43So there was a division among the people because of him.
- 1 Cor 9:5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 14:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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