Why did Paul and Barnabas start preaching in the synagogue at Iconium?

They went to the synagogue in Iconium because that was the natural place to speak to Jews and to anyone who already worshiped the God of Israel. This was their pattern in many cities: speak first to those who knew the Scriptures and were waiting for God’s promises. Even though they had faced trouble from some Jews in the previous city, they did not shut their hearts to the Jews in Iconium. They still offered the message of Jesus openly, trusting God to use it in the lives of those who would believe.

What does it mean that many Jews and Greeks believed in Iconium?

When it says a great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed, it means people from both backgrounds trusted the message about Jesus. Jews already knew God’s promises from Scripture. Greeks here were non‑Jewish people who had not grown up with those promises. Both groups heard the same good news and put their faith in Christ. This shows the gospel is for all kinds of people, not just one nation or culture, and that God was forming one new people out of very different groups.

How did the unbelieving Jews stir up the Gentiles against the brethren?

The passage says the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and made their minds badly affected against the brethren. They did this by speaking against Paul, Barnabas, and the new believers, painting them in a bad light. Their words poisoned people’s thoughts so that the crowd began to see the apostles and the Christians as troublemakers. It shows how opposition often starts with words, rumors, and twisting motives, and how hearts can be turned against God’s servants through hostile talk.

What does it mean that God gave testimony to the word of his grace?

The “word of his grace” is the message that God freely shows favor to sinners through Jesus, forgiving, adopting, and saving them. God gave testimony to this word by making it bear fruit and by granting signs and wonders to be done through Paul and Barnabas. These miracles were not tricks to impress people. They were God’s way of saying, “This message is true.” The power that healed the sick or cast out demons matched the gracious message they preached about salvation in Christ.

Why was the city of Iconium divided about Paul and Barnabas?

The city became divided because some people accepted the message about Jesus and some rejected it. Those who believed sided with the apostles; others sided with the unbelieving Jews who opposed them. The same gospel that brought faith and joy to many also stirred anger and resistance in others. This shows that the message of Christ does not leave people neutral. It often exposes what is in the heart and can even split communities, not because the message is bad, but because people respond to it very differently.

Why did Paul and Barnabas flee Iconium when there was a plot to stone them?

When Paul and Barnabas heard that both Gentiles and Jews, along with their rulers, were planning to mistreat and stone them, they chose to leave Iconium. They were not running away from their calling. They had already stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord despite opposition. But when the plan turned into a real attempt on their lives, they moved on to Lystra and Derbe so they could keep preaching in other places. Their goal was not to seek comfort, but to keep the gospel going forward.

What does this passage show about how to face opposition to the gospel?

This passage shows both courage and wisdom. Paul and Barnabas did not stop speaking when people first opposed them. They stayed a long time, spoke boldly, and trusted the Lord to work. God even backed their message with miracles. But when the hostility turned into a plan to stone them, they did not throw themselves into needless danger. They left and preached elsewhere. For believers today, this teaches us to be steady and brave, but also to use wise judgment so the work can continue.

What does this teach about God’s role when the gospel is preached?

Here we see that God is very active when the gospel is preached. He gives the message, called the word of his grace. He works in people’s hearts so that many believe. He also gives testimony to the message by granting signs and wonders. At the same time, he guides his servants, sometimes keeping them in a place a long time, and sometimes leading them to move on. Even when there is strong opposition, God is not absent. He is guiding, confirming, and opening new doors for the good news.

How can this story of Iconium encourage believers today?

This story encourages believers not to give up when they face resistance or are misunderstood. Paul and Barnabas saw both great fruit and strong hostility in the same city. Yet they kept speaking boldly and trusted God with the results. When one place finally closed to them, God opened another in Lystra and Derbe. Today, if you face coldness, gossip, or even open pushback for following Christ, this passage reminds you that God still works, still confirms his word, and can lead you to new opportunities to serve him.

Acts.14.1

Acts 14:1

KJV

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

Acceptance and Opposition

1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, 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.

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

And there they preached the gospel.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.