14:8-18 Why were Paul and Barnabas so affected by what happened here?
14:8-18 Why were Paul and Barnabas so affected by what happened here?
When the people saw Paul and Barnabas heal the crippled man in V8-10 their superstitious imaginations ran riot.
They treated Paul and Barnabas like they were Gods in the flesh, and tried to offer up sacrifices to them. This was idolatry and Paul and Barnabas would have no part in it.
They exhorted the people to turn away from gods who never lived, to the living God who created all things, and does good things for His people. But the crowd would not listen and soon the Jews from Antioch and Iconium won them over and they turned against Paul and stoned him and dragged him out of the city thinking that he was dead (CP V19-20).
Many in the church believe that Paul actually died here and was restored to life by the prayers of the disciples who gathered around him
(See also comments on Ga 4:13-16).
14:23 See comments on Ac 20:17.