Level 1
Healing and Havoc - The Great Commission Confronts Idolatry and Peril
(Believers)
In Lystra, Paul spots a lame man listening intently. Filled with faith, Paul commands, Stand up on your feet! The man leaps, walking—miraculous! Crowds cry, The gods have come down to us in human form! Mistaking Barnabas for Zeus and Paul for Hermes, they prepare sacrifices. Horrified, the apostles tear clothes, shouting, We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God (Acts 14:8-20a). They barely restrain the worship. Then, antagonistic Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrive, win the crowd, stone Paul, drag him out presumed dead. But disciples gather; he rises, enters the city. This chaos highlights The Great Commission navigating Christianity Accepted and Opposed, redirecting misplaced awe to true worship. Relate it: Ever been misunderstood sharing faith? Like them, point to God alone. Act today—correct a misconception; proclaim the living God boldly!
Level 1 Narrative
(Scholars / Pastors)
Level 2
Miracle to Mayhem
Redirecting Worship in the Great Commission
(Believers)
Picture Lystra's dusty streets, Paul preaching when he notices a man lame from birth, listening with faith-filled eyes. In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, 'Stand up on your feet!' At that, the man jumped up and began to walk (Acts 14:8-10). The miracle sparks frenzy: When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, 'The gods have come down to us in human form!' Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker (verses 11-12). Priests rush with bulls and wreaths for sacrifice.
Apostles react in horror: But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 'Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them' (verses 14-15). They recount God's patience with nations' ignorance, provision through rains and harvests (verses 16-17). Barely, they halt the sacrifices (verse 18).
Twist comes: Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead (verse 19). Disciples surround him; he rises, reenters the city, departs next day for Derbe with Barnabas (verse 20a).
This turmoil advances The Great Commission, confronting paganism with truth, redirecting to the Creator. Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel emerges in their plea—turn to the living God. Christianity Accepted and Opposed swings wildly—from god-worship to stoning. Miracle echoes Peter's healings, Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT like 2 Corinthians 4:8-9's perseverance.
Storytelling grips: Imagine the chaos—crowds surging with garlands, apostles ripping tunics, stones flying later. Relatable: Misplaced admiration or sudden backlash hurts, but refocuses on God.
Actionable: First, discern faith like Paul—act when prompted. Second, reject false honor: Humbly point to God in successes. Third, proclaim creation's witness: Use nature to bridge to gospel. Fourth, endure flips: From acclaim to attack, stay mission-focused. Fifth, rally community: Disciples' presence aids recovery. Lystra's lesson? Opposition refines; press on!
Level 2: Expanded Insights
(Scholars / Pastors)
Acts 14:8-20a chronicles a profoundly dramatic and complex episode in Paul's first missionary journey, illustrating the volatile nature of Christianity Accepted and Opposed in a pagan context and the unwavering commitment of the apostles to The Great Commission. After fleeing persecution in Iconium (Acts 14:1-7), Paul and Barnabas arrive in Lystra, a less Hellenized, more indigenous city in Lycaonia, southern Galatia.
The narrative opens with a powerful miracle: "And in Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from birth, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had perceived that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, 'Stand upright on your feet.' And he leaped up and began to walk." Paul's discerning perception of faith (by The Holy Spirit's Role) and the instantaneous healing of a man with a lifelong disability is an undeniable sign, confirming the divine authority behind Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel. This miracle should, by all accounts, lead to belief in the true God.
However, the pagan crowds of Lystra respond not with conversion to Christ but with a dangerous, idolatrous misinterpretation: "When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in Lycaonian, 'The gods have become like men and have come down to us!' And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker." (Acts 14:11-12). Their polytheistic worldview immediately interprets the miracle through their own mythological lens, associating Barnabas (likely taller and more imposing) with Zeus, and Paul (the eloquent speaker) with Hermes (messenger of the gods). This represents a dangerous form of Christianity Accepted and Opposed (initial acceptance, but based on a fundamental misunderstanding), as it diverts worship from God to His servants. The priest of Zeus, the city's prominent deity, even brings oxen and garlands to sacrifice to them, escalating the blasphemy.
Paul and Barnabas react with immediate, vehement distress: "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these useless things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.' Even by saying these things, they with difficulty restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them." Their tearing of robes signifies horror and disgust at the blasphemy. Paul's impromptu sermon is a model of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel to a pagan audience, redirecting their worship from idols to the Creator God. He appeals to general revelation (nature, seasons) as evidence of God's existence and benevolence, urging them to turn from "useless things" (idols) to the "living God." This urgent The Great Commission proclamation distinguishes true worship from paganism.
However, the volatile crowd's fickle acceptance quickly turns to brutal Christianity Accepted and Opposed: "But Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead." The same Jews who had previously persecuted them (Acts 13:50) now follow them to Lystra, demonstrating relentless opposition. They incite the easily swayed pagan crowds, leading to Paul's stoning. This violent act fulfills Jesus's warning that His disciples would face such persecution and highlights the extreme cost of The Great Commission. Being dragged out of the city and left for dead signifies the severity of the attack. Despite this near-fatal assault, the narrative implicitly sets the stage for Paul's miraculous recovery (Acts 14:20a), ensuring the continuation of The Great Commission and further Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT through Paul's later reflections on his sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:25).
Level 3
From Adoration to Assault – The Great Commission Navigates Pagan Perils
(Believers)
Dive into Lystra, a Lycaonian town off main roads, where Paul and Barnabas arrive after Iconium's threats. No synagogue mentioned—pure pagan territory, ripe for The Great Commission's thrust into Gentile lands. Paul speaks openly; a man lame from birth listens intently. In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking (Acts 14:8-9a). Paul perceives faith: Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, 'Stand up on your feet!' At that, the man jumped up and began to walk (verses 9b-10). This echoes Peter's Beautiful Gate miracle (Acts 3:1-10), Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT in apostolic authority.
Crowd erupts in local dialect: When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, 'The gods have come down to us in human form!' Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them (verses 11-13). Misplaced worship surges—Zeus and Hermes, local deities, fitting Barnabas's stature and Paul's eloquence.
Apostles horrified: But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 'Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you' (verse 14-15a). Tearing clothes signals grief over blasphemy. They redirect: We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy (verses 15b-17). This Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel contrasts idols with Creator, using natural revelation—rains, harvests—as witness, akin to Romans 1:20.
They scarcely restrain sacrifices (verse 18). Calm shatters: Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead (verse 19). Instigators travel far to oppose, turning adoring mob murderous. Christianity Accepted and Opposed flips dramatically—from deification to attempted execution.
Yet resilience: But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe (verse 20). Surrounded by believers—perhaps The Holy Spirit's Role in revival—Paul rises, reenters defiantly, departs strengthened.
This advances The Great Commission through confrontation—miracle draws, protest clarifies, persecution propels. Paganism challenged, gospel planted amid chaos.
Storytelling vivid: Feel the thrill of healing leap, horror of sacrificial bulls, sting of stones, miracle of rising. Inspirational: Paul's tenacity models endurance (2 Timothy 4:7).
Relatable: We encounter 'god' labels—success idolized—or sudden attacks. Redirect praise, persist through pain.
Actionable: First, perceive faith—observe listeners, act in power. Second, protest idolatry: In compliments, point to God humbly. Third, use creation: Bridge gospel with everyday blessings. Fourth, face flips gracefully: From favor to fury, stay focused. Fifth, rally support: Community prayer aids recovery.
Lystra's legacy? Opposition refines mission. Your 'stonings'—criticism, setbacks—can propel further. Embrace, proclaim—the Commission conquers!
Level 3: Comprehensive Analysis
(Scholars / Pastors)
Acts 14:8-20a chronicles a profoundly dramatic and theologically complex episode in Paul’s first missionary journey, serving as a powerful illustration of The Great Commission’s advance when confronting deeply entrenched paganism and navigating the volatile dynamics of Christianity Accepted and Opposed. This pericope highlights the dual nature of response to the Gospel—from ecstatic acceptance to brutal rejection—and underscores the unwavering commitment of the apostles to redirect worship solely to God.
I. The Healing Miracle and the Crowd’s Pagan Response (Acts 14:8-13)
Having strategically fled from Iconium (Acts 14:6-7), Paul and Barnabas arrive in Lystra, a city distinct from the more Hellenized urban centers. Lystra was a Roman colony, but its population was predominantly Lycaonian, a less sophisticated, more indigenous group with strong pagan traditions and a local dialect.
The Healing of the Lame Man (Acts 14:8-10): "And in Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from birth, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had perceived that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, 'Stand upright on your feet.' And he leaped up and began to walk."
Lifelong Disability: The meticulous description of the man's condition ("lame from birth," "never walked") emphasizes the severity and chronic nature of his disability, making the healing undeniably miraculous.
Paul's Discerning Gaze: Paul "fixed his gaze on him" (atenisas auto) and "perceived that he had faith to be made well." This discernment, empowered by The Holy Spirit's Role, indicates a spiritual insight into the man's receptivity to God's power.
Authoritative Command & Immediate Effect: Paul's command, "Stand upright on your feet!" (Anastethi epi tous podas sou orthos!), delivered in a "loud voice," is an authoritative, Christ-like imperative (cf. Peter to Aeneas, Acts 9:34; Jesus to the paralytic, Mark 2:11). The immediate and dramatic response—the man "leaped up and began to walk" (exallomenos kai periepatēsen)—provides irrefutable authentication of the divine power behind Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel. This miracle, similar to the one in Acts 3:1-11, serves to compel attention and provide tangible evidence of God's active presence in The Great Commission.
The Crowd’s Misplaced Worship (Acts 14:11-13): The pagan crowds of Lystra, deeply steeped in polytheistic mythology, misinterpret the divine healing through their own religious framework.
Polytheistic Interpretation: "When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in Lycaonian, 'The gods have become like men and have come down to us!' And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker." This response is rooted in their local mythology (e.g., the tale of Zeus and Hermes visiting Phrygia/Lycaonia in disguise, recorded by Ovid). They perceive the powerful act as a manifestation of their own deities. Barnabas, likely more imposing in stature, is identified with Zeus (the king of gods), while Paul, as the eloquent speaker (ho hēgoumenos tou logou - the leader of the word), is associated with Hermes (the messenger of the gods).
Dangerous Syncretism: This represents a dangerous and blasphemous form of Christianity Accepted and Opposed (initial acceptance based on a fundamental misunderstanding). Their "acceptance" is not a turning to the living God but an attempt to incorporate Paul and Barnabas into their existing pantheon, diverting worship from God to His servants.
Escalating Idolatry: The priest of Zeus, the city's prominent deity, even brings "oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds." This indicates a full-scale pagan ritual of worship, an anathema to true monotheistic faith. This immediate, enthusiastic, but profoundly misguided response highlights the challenges of cross-cultural mission where the Gospel encounters deeply entrenched pagan worldviews.
II. Apostolic Protest and Redirection to the Creator God (Acts 14:14-18)
Paul and Barnabas react with vehement distress, acting decisively to redirect worship to the one true God.
Distress and Protest: "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these useless things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.'" (Acts 14:14-15). Their act of tearing their robes is a powerful public gesture of horror and disgust at the blasphemy, reflecting Jewish custom in response to blasphemy against God. Their immediate rush into the crowd emphasizes their urgency to stop the misplaced worship.
Proclamation of the Creator God: Paul's impromptu sermon is a concise model of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel to a pagan audience previously unexposed to Jewish monotheism. He appeals to general revelation:
Rejection of Deification: "We also are men of the same nature as you" (homoiopatheis anthrōpoi) directly refutes their divine attribution, emphasizing their shared humanity and mortality.
Turn from Idols to the Living God: They urge the crowds to turn from "these useless things" (matia) – idols, which are empty and powerless – to the "living God," a fundamental distinction from pagan deities.
God as Creator: They identify God as the one "WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM" (quoting Psalm 146:6; cf. Acts 4:24). This emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and power as Creator and Sustainer of all, a stark contrast to polytheistic pantheons. This foundational theological truth is essential for The Great Commission in a pagan context.
General Revelation and Divine Witness: "In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:16-17). Paul points to God's common grace in nature (rain, fruitful seasons) as universal testimony to His existence and benevolence, providing apologetic common ground. This shows God's patience with Gentile ignorance while still holding them accountable.
Difficulty in Restraining: "Even by saying these things, they with difficulty restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them." (Acts 14:18). This highlights the deep-seated nature of pagan idolatry and the immense challenge of redirecting worship. It also subtly emphasizes The Holy Spirit's Role empowering the apostles' words to even partially restrain such a zealous crowd.
III. Shifting Tides: Incitement, Stoning, and Apparent Death (Acts 14:19-20a)
The fleeting acceptance of the crowds swiftly turns to brutal Christianity Accepted and Opposed, instigated by external opposition.
Jewish Incitement: "But Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead." (Acts 14:19). The relentless opposition from unbelieving Jews (the same ones who instigated persecution in Pisidian Antioch and Iconium, cf. Acts 13:50; 14:2) demonstrates their unwavering determination to suppress The Great Commission. They actively travel to incite locals against the apostles, highlighting the organized and pervasive nature of the opposition.
The Crowd's Fickleness: The rapid shift in the crowd's sentiment—from attempting to worship Paul as a god to stoning him as a criminal—illustrates the extreme volatility and fickleness of public opinion, especially in the absence of deep-seated conviction. This serves as a cautionary tale for missionaries against relying on human popularity.
Stoning and Apparent Death: Paul is subjected to stoning, a method of execution typically reserved for blasphemy in Jewish law. This brutal assault fulfills Jesus's warning to His disciples about facing persecution (Matthew 10:17; John 15:20) and aligns with Prophecy Fulfillment regarding the suffering of God's messengers. Being "dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead" signifies the severity of the attack. This near-fatal assault highlights the extreme cost of The Great Commission and the dedication required from missionaries. This profound suffering for Christ sets the stage for Paul's later reflections on his afflictions in his epistles (e.g., 2 Corinthians 11:25: "Once I was stoned"), providing crucial biographical detail for Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT.
Acts 14:8-20a powerfully illustrates the complex realities of The Great Commission in a pagan setting. It showcases The Holy Spirit's Role in authenticating Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel through divine healing, but also the dangerous volatility of misplaced Christianity Accepted and Opposed when the Gospel confronts pagan worldview. The passage culminates in severe persecution, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of the apostles to redirect worship solely to God, even in the face of near-fatal opposition, as they steadfastly pursue the expansion of God's kingdom.
