Devine Scripture

Acts 14:4

What does Acts 14:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 14:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 14:4 means

The city’s population did not respond uniformly. Some aligned with the opposing Jews, while others sided with “the apostles,” recognizing Paul and Barnabas as Christ’s commissioned messengers. The gospel often divides households, cities, and cultures because it demands allegiance to the living God and exposes idols. Division, however, is not the goal; it is a predictable result when truth confronts entrenched beliefs. Luke’s use of “apostles” for Paul and Barnabas underlines their authority and task. Iconium becomes a microcosm of the wider Gentile mission—some persuaded by grace, others hardened—illustrating that mission work is as much about patient endurance as about visible success.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But there was a division among the people of the town; some were on the side of the Jews and some on the side of the Apostles.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the multitude of the city was divided. And some of them indeed held with the Jews, but some with the apostles.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews and some with the apostles.

Context

This verse follows a season of bold preaching and miracles (verse 3) and explains the rising tensions that set up the plot in verse 5. The divided city shows that no middle, neutral ground remains. Such polarization typically draws in civic leaders and agitates crowds. The next step, predictably, is an organized assault to shame and stone the missionaries. Understanding this division clarifies why Paul and Barnabas will soon choose to flee (verses 5–6), not due to failure but prudence, preserving their lives for continued gospel service in Lycaonia.

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.

v.4This passage

v.5And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 12:51

    Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

  • 1 Corinthians 9:5

    Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

  • Luke 11:21

    When the strong man fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace:

  • Acts 28:24

    And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

  • John 7:43

    So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.

  • Acts 14:14

    But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out

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