Acts 14:2
What does Acts 14:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 14:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 14:2 means
Not all who heard the message submitted to it. Some Jews, described as “disobedient,” refused the gospel and did more than merely reject it—they actively “stirred up” Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the new believers. Unbelief is not neutral; it often organizes opposition to the truth and to those who receive it. The phrase “the brethren” underscores the family bond of the church already present in Iconium. This verse alerts us that fruitful ministry usually attracts slander and hostility. The battle is not against flesh and blood alone; words can inflame crowds, creating an atmosphere hostile to grace and truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But those Jews who had not the faith, made the minds of the Gentiles bitter against the brothers.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the unbelieving Jews did stir up and made evil the souls of the nations against the brethren;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and incensed the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the Jews who did not believe stirred up the minds of [those of] the nations and made [them] evil-affected against the brethren.
Context
Following the large response in verse 1, verse 2 introduces the counter-movement. The missionaries’ success becomes the catalyst for resistance. This opposition will not chase Paul and Barnabas out immediately; rather, it forms the backdrop for a period of bold, miracle-accompanied preaching (verse 3). The reader is prepared to see the city split in its loyalties (verse 4) and an eventual plot to mistreat and stone the apostles (verse 5). Thus, verse 2 sets the tension between reception and rejection that drives the narrative choices to persist, to suffer, or to relocate.
v.1And 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.
v.2This passage
v.3Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 14:19
But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
- Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
- Acts 13:50
But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.
- Mark 15:10
For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
- Acts 18:12
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15
who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men;
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