Acts 14:20

20 But when [the] disciples were come about him, he rose, and went into the city; and in the day following he went forth with Barnabas into Derbe. [+Soothly when disciples compassed him/Soothly the disciples environing him, he rose and entered into the city; and the following day, he went forth with Barnabas into Derbe.]

Acts 14:20 Meaning and 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 the former seems most probable, and which shows their affection to their spiritual Father, and their constancy in the faith of Christ, notwithstanding this ill treatment of his servant:

he rose up and came into the city;
which was no less than a miracle, and was no doubt the effect of the mighty power of God, put forth upon him; for though he was not really dead, yet he was left as such, and thought to be so by both friends and foes: and when it is considered what wounds and bruises he must receive by stoning, and his being dragged through the streets of the city, and left in such a miserable condition without it, that he should at once rise up in the midst of the disciples, and walk into the city as one in perfect health and strength, has something extraordinary and miraculous in it; and it shows great resolution, courage, and strength of mind, to go into the same city again, where he had been so ill used; though he did not choose to continue there, nor were the inhabitants worthy of such a favour:

and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe;
where they had been before, and had preached the Gospel, and whither they fled from Iconium, when in great danger, ( Acts 14:6 Acts 14:7 ) .

Acts 14:20 In-Context

18 And they saying these things, scarcely assuaged the people, that they offered not to them.
19 But some Jews came over from Antioch and Iconium, and counseled the people, and stoned Paul, and drew him out of the city, and guessed that he was dead. [Forsooth some Jews came out from Antioch and Iconium, and, the companies sweetly stirred, they stoning Paul, drew out of the city, guessing him to be dead.]
20 But when [the] disciples were come about him, he rose, and went into the city; and in the day following he went forth with Barnabas into Derbe. [+Soothly when disciples compassed him/Soothly the disciples environing him, he rose and entered into the city; and the following day, he went forth with Barnabas into Derbe.]
21 And when they had preached to that city [And when they had evangelized to that city], and taught many, they turned again to Lystra, and Iconium, and to Antioch;
22 confirming the souls of the disciples, and admonishing, that they should dwell in the faith, and said [and saying], That by many tribulations it behooveth us to enter into the kingdom of heavens.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.