Acts 14:1
What does Acts 14:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 14:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 14:1 means
Arriving in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas followed their regular pattern, beginning in the synagogue where Jews and God-fearing Greeks gathered to hear Scripture. Their message about Jesus, the promised Messiah and Lord, was delivered with such clarity and power that “a great multitude” believed. This shows the gospel’s reach across ethnic and religious lines and the Spirit’s work in opening hearts. Faith came through hearing, and hearing through the preached word. Their partnership mattered: they “entered together,” modeling unity in mission. The verse highlights both strategy—start where Scripture is already honored—and sovereignty—God grants faith widely when Christ is proclaimed plainly and boldly.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it came to pass in Iconium, that they did enter together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spake, so that there believed both of Jews and Greeks a great multitude;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believed.
Context
Verse 1 opens the Iconium ministry, continuing the first missionary journey begun in Acts 13. It records abundant fruit from synagogue preaching. This success sets the stage for the backlash that immediately follows in verse 2, as unbelieving Jews stir opposition. The chapter’s rhythm—preaching, belief, and resistance—emerges here and will recur in Lystra and Derbe. Understanding the initial response of many Jews and Greeks prepares the reader to see how the same gospel both gathers believers and provokes opponents, driving the missionaries onward to new cities while strengthening existing converts.
v.1This passage
v.2But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
- Galatians 3:28
There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.
- John 7:35
The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
- Acts 19:17
And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
- Acts 13:46
And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
- Acts 17:4
And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
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