Luke the beloved physician shared how Paul told a lame man at Lystra to stand upright, and after the man leaped up and walked, “when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them”, and in chapter fourteen and verse nineteen of the book of Acts Luke shared, “there came there certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium”, where we read:
And there came there certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people,
and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
The verse begins, “And there came there certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, ...” Luke began with the words, “and there came there” which means “and there arose and appeared to Lystra” “certain Jews” or “particular men of the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion” “from Antioch” which means “apart from the city in Pisidia on the borders Phrygia, founded by Seleucus Nicanor. Under the Romans it became a "colonia" and was also called Caesarea whose name means driven against” “and Iconium” or “whose name means little image and was a famous city of Asia Minor which was the capital of Lycaonia”, “who persuaded the people” which means “the Jewish people from Antioch and Iconium were convinced and induced by words to believe” their words. Luke shared how the “Jewish people” from the cities of “Antioch in Pisidia” and “Iconium” came to “Lystra” where “Paul and Barnabas” were ministering and convinced the people in “Lystra” to take the following action.
The verse continues, “... and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.” Luke added the words, “and, having stoned Paul” or “and overwhelming Paul, whose name means little or small, with rocks and stones to kill him”, “drew him out of the city” which means “dragged Paul outside of the dwelling place of Lystra”, “supposing he had been dead” or “thinking, deeming and regarding Paul as not living, inanimate and without breath”. Luke shared how the people in “Lystra” were convinced by the “Jewish people in Antioch and Iconium”, “stoned” Paul and dragged his body outside of the city because they thought he was dead.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how vicious the people were in the cities that “Paul and Barnabas” left before. The Jewish people from “Antioch and Iconium” tracked down “Paul and Barnabas” and convinced the people of “Lystra” to “stone” “Paul”. They struck “Paul” with so many stones that they believed he was dead, dragged his body out of the town and left him there. Can we even imagine such vitriol? This must have brought back memories to “Paul's” mind as he was holding the garments of the people when they “stoned” Stephen, and now he was the target of people's hatred. God loves everybody, however, not everyone will receive His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Some people hate Jesus so much that they “stone” or kill His servants. Anyone who surrenders to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God, but those who refuse Him will answer to Him directly when future judgment comes, and woe be to those who oppose the Great and Almighty God.
Next time Luke shares how Paul, “rose up, and came into the city”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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