14:16-18
Paul’s message raised the question of why it was only now that they were hearing this. Why had God let them go their own way for so long. God did let people go their own way, but even so He had left a witness, a testimony. He provided rain for the crops, and supplied them with food. The whole issue of creation is a witness to God. Despite their protestations, the crown still wanted to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas.
14:19,20
Some Jews seemed to have followed Paul and Barnabas in order to cause trouble. They won the crowd over. How could this be when there was the clear evidence of the miracle? It was because of the offence caused by the message, which I referred to above. So they stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city. We need to be aware of the fickleness of crowds (John 2:24). The disciples gathered around Paul, presumably to protect him, and they then went back into the city. Paul and Barnabas then left for Derbe.
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