Year of the Bible
Acts of the Apostles 14
Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 14:
Barnabas and Paul’s mission trip which started in Chapter 13 continues as the men arrive at another synagogue to explain God’s plan of salvation in Jesus through the Scriptures (vs. 1). Many believe, both Jews and Gentiles, but some do not and are even hostile to Paul and Barnabas’ presence, driving them out of cities (vs. 5-6, 19). Yet amidst these challenges, God’s plan is unfolding and the number of believers (“disciples”) is growing and the community is filled with the Holy Spirit and joy (13:52). Paul and Barnabas return to some of their first mission stops to continue to form the faith of the new believers and appoint “elders” (presbyteroi in Greek), the third ordained ministry--following episkopio (bishops) and deaconoi (deacons)--mentioned in Acts (vs. 21-23).
The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 14:
Paul and Barnabas in Iconium
1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue, and so spoke that a great company believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to molest them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; 7 and there they preached the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; 17 yet he did not leave himself with out witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.
The Return to Antioch in Syria
24 Then they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived, they gathered the Church had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
In today's passage Paul and Barnabas suffer greatly as they try to preach the Gospel. They are misunderstood, abused, attacked, and even left for dead! Yet, they persevere in their mission even to the point of returning to the cities where they experienced suffering. Lord, what mission have you given me that I have not lived up to because of the difficulties involved? Give me the grace and courage to persevere as Paul and Barnabas did.
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan. Join a Catholic Biblical School of Michigan class this September at Holy Family in Grand Blanc or online.
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
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1 En Iconio entraron, como de costumbre,
en la sinagoga de los judíos
y hablaron de tal manera que creyó una
gran muchedumbre de judíos y griegos.
2 Pero los judíos incrédulos excitaron
y malearon los ánimos de los gentiles
contra los hermanos. 3 Permanecieron
bastante tiempo, actuando con valentía
en el Señor, que les concedía obrar por
sus manos milagros y prodigios, acreditando
así la predicación de su gracia.
4 La muchedumbre de la ciudad se dividió:
unos a favor de los judíos, otros a
favor de los apóstoles. 5 Como se produjo
un violento movimiento de gentiles
y de judíos, con sus jefes, para injuriarles
y apedrearles, 6 al enterarse, huyeron
a Listra y Derbe, ciudades de Licaonia,
y a la región de alrededor. 7 Y allí anunciaban
el Evangelio.
8 En Listra se hallaba sentado un
hombre inválido de los pies, cojo desde
el seno materno, que jamás había caminado.
9 Éste escuchó hablar a Pablo, el
cual le miró fijamente y, viendo que tenía
fe para ser salvado, 10 dijo con fuerte
voz:
–¡Ponte de pie! ¡Derecho!
Él dio un salto y empezó a caminar.
11 La muchedumbre, al ver lo que Pablo
había hecho, levantó la voz diciendo en
licaónico:
–Los dioses han bajado hasta nosotros
en forma humana.
12 Y llamaban a Bernabé Zeus y Hermes
a Pablo, porque éste era el que llevaba
la palabra.
13 Entonces el sacerdote del templo
de Zeus que estaba situado a la entrada
de la ciudad, acompañado de la gente,
trajo toros y guirnaldas ante las puertas
y pretendía ofrecerles un sacrificio.
14 Cuando los apóstoles Bernabé y Pablo
lo oyeron, se rasgaron la ropa y corrieron
hacia la multitud 15 diciendo a voces:
–¡Hombres!, ¿qué es lo que hacéis?
También nosotros somos hombres
mortales como vosotros y os predicamos
que os convirtáis de estas cosas
falsas al Dios vivo, el que hizo el cielo y
la tierra y el mar y cuanto hay en ellos;
16 que en las generaciones pasadas permitió
que cada nación siguiera su propio
camino; 17 aunque Él no ha dejado
de dar testimonio de Sí mismo, derramando
bienes al enviaros desde el cielo
lluvias y estaciones repletas de fruto,
y llenándoos de alimento y de alegría el
corazón.
18 Con estas palabras, a duras penas
disuadieron a la multitud de ofrecerles
sacrificios.
19 Vinieron entonces de Antioquía y
de Iconio unos judíos que sedujeron a la
muchedumbre, de modo que apedrearon
a Pablo y lo arrastraron fuera de la
ciudad creyéndole muerto. 20 Pero rodeado
de los discípulos se levantó y entró
en la ciudad. Y al día siguiente marchó
con Bernabé a Derbe.
21 Después de predicar el Evangelio
en aquella ciudad y hacer numerosos
discípulos, se volvieron a Listra, Iconio
y Antioquía, 22 confortando los ánimos
de los discípulos y exhortándoles a perseverar
en la fe, diciéndoles que es preciso
que entremos en el Reino de Dios
a través de muchas tribulaciones. 23 Tras
designar presbíteros en cada iglesia, haciendo
oración y ayunando, les encomendaron
al Señor, en quien habían
creído.
Atravesaron Pisidia y llegaron a
Panfilia; 25 y después de predicar
la palabra en Perge bajaron hasta Atalía.
26 Desde allí navegaron hasta Antioquía, de
donde habían salido encomendados a la
gracia de Dios para la obra que habían realizado.
27 Al llegar, reunieron a la iglesia y
contaron todo lo que el Señor había hecho
por mediación de ellos y cómo había
abierto a los gentiles la puerta de la
fe. 28 Se quedaron bastante tiempo con
los discípulos.
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
En el pasaje de hoy, Pablo y Bernabé sufren mucho cuando intentan predicar el Evangelio. Son incomprendidos, maltratados, atacados e incluso dados por muertos. Sin embargo, perseveran en su misión hasta el punto de regresar a las ciudades donde experimentaron el sufrimiento. Señor, ¿qué misión me has encomendado que no he cumplido por las dificultades que conlleva? Dame la gracia y el valor para perseverar como lo hicieron Pablo y Bernabé.
La Biblia de Navarra
Permiso para usar esta versión de la primera edición de la Biblia de Navarra
para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).