Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 14:20
Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
20. as the disciples stood round about him ] Among these we may well believe that the young Timothy was included. Braving all danger that might attend on their act, the believers at Lystra gathered about what they deemed the corpse of their teacher, and their sorrowing thoughts were perhaps concerned how they might procure it reverent burial.
he rose up ] The Greek conveys the impression that this was as a resurrection from the dead, and that the restoration of the Apostle, and his immediate exhibition of vigour, and boldness to enter again into the city, was the effect of a miracle. That one stoned and left for dead by a savage mob should revive and go about as if nothing had befallen him must have been a still more striking evidence of the mighty power of God present with these teachers than what the people had seen before in the restoration of the cripple.
and the next day he departed ] Having been sheltered for the night in the house of some disciple, perhaps in that of Eunice and Lois, the mother and grandmother of Timothy, of whose faith the Apostle speaks (2Ti 1:5) as one who has been witness of its fruits in their lives.
with Barnabas to Derbe ] Barnabas had not been an object of jealousy of the Jews. His power, though great as the “son of exhortation or consolation,” was not so demonstrative as that of his fellow-Apostle. Derbe, the town to which the Apostles next went, was to the east of Lystra. We have no mention of any other places in Lycaonia than these two as visited by Paul and Barnabas, but from Act 14:6 we gather that their preaching was extended to other parts of the surrounding country.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Howbeit – Notwithstanding the supposition that he was dead.
As the disciples stood round about him – It would seem that they did not suppose I that he was dead; but might be expecting that he would revive.
He rose up … – Most commentators have supposed that this was the effect of a miracle. They have maintained that he could not have risen so soon, and entered into the city, without the interposition of miraculous power (Calvin, Doddridge, Clarke, etc.). But the commentators have asserted what is not intimated by the sacred penman. The probability is that he was stunned by a blow – perhaps a single blow and after a short time recovered from it. Nothing is more common than thus by a violent blow on the head to be rendered apparently lifeless, the effect of which soon is over, and the person restored to strength. Pricaeus and Wetstein suppose that Paul feigned himself to be dead, and when out of danger rose and returned to the city. But this is wholly improbable.
And came into the city – It is remarkable that he should have returned again into the same city. But probably it was only among the new converts that he showed himself. The Jews supposed that he was dead; and it does not appear that he again exposed himself to their rage.
And the next day … – The opposition here was such that it was vain to attempt to preach there any longer. Having been seen by the disciples after his supposed death, their faith was confirmed, and he departed to preach in another place.
To Derbe – Act 14:6.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 20. The disciples stood round about him] No doubt in earnest prayer, entreating the Author of life that his soul might again return to its battered tenement.
He rose up] Miraculously restored, not only to life, but to perfect soundness so that he was able to walk into the city, that his persecutors might see the mighty power of God in his restoration, and the faith of the young converts be confirmed in the truth and goodness of God. It is strange that neither the young converts at Lystra, nor Barnabas, were involved in this persecution! It seems to have had Paul alone for its object; and, when they thought they had despatched him, they did not think of injuring the rest.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Stood round about him; either in order to bury him, thinking him to be dead, as well as his persecutors did; or else to defend him, as much as possibly they could, from the rage of his enemies in that popular fury. Their spite was most against Paul, because he spake most, and preached unto them the way of life.
He rose up; being by the power of God suddenly restored to his strength again.
Derbe; a city near to Lycaonia, some say in it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20. as the disciples stood roundabout himsorrowing. So his labors here had not been in vain:”Disciples” had been gathered, who now rallied around thebleeding body. And one appears to have been gained on thisoccasion, of far more importance than all the restTIMOTHEUS.See on Ac 16:1-3. (It couldscarcely have been at the subsequent visit, Ac14:21, for the reason given in 2Ti 3:10;2Ti 3:11; while at the thirdvisit, Ac 16:1-3, hewas already a Christian).
he rose upIt ispossible that this recovery was natural; the insensibility occasionedby such treatment as he had received sometimes passing away ofitself, and leaving the patient less hurt than appeared. Butcertainly the impression naturally left on the mind by the words isthat the restoration was miraculous; and so the best interpretersunderstand the words. This is confirmed by what follows.
came into the cityNobleintrepidity!
next day he departed withBarnabas to Derbea journey for which he could hardly be fit ifhis recovery had been natural. (As to Derbe, see on Ac14:6).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Howbeit as the disciples stood round about him,…. Weeping over him, and lamenting for him, and it may be praying to God, that he would restore him to life: however, they got about him, in order to take care of him, and provide for his interment: these were the young converts at Lystra, who, under the ministry of the apostles, were now brought to the faith of Christ; unless it can be thought, that they were such who followed them from other places, and attended them in their travels; but the former seems most probable, and which shows their affection to their spiritual Father, and their constancy in the faith of Christ, notwithstanding this ill treatment of his servant:
he rose up and came into the city; which was no less than a miracle, and was no doubt the effect of the mighty power of God, put forth upon him; for though he was not really dead, yet he was left as such, and thought to be so by both friends and foes: and when it is considered what wounds and bruises he must receive by stoning, and his being dragged through the streets of the city, and left in such a miserable condition without it, that he should at once rise up in the midst of the disciples, and walk into the city as one in perfect health and strength, has something extraordinary and miraculous in it; and it shows great resolution, courage, and strength of mind, to go into the same city again, where he had been so ill used; though he did not choose to continue there, nor were the inhabitants worthy of such a favour:
and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe; where they had been before, and had preached the Gospel, and whither they fled from Iconium, when in great danger, Ac 14:6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Stood round about him ( ). Genitive absolute with first aorist active participle of , old verb from (circle, cycle) to make a circle round, to encircle. The would-be murderers left and a group of disciples gathered round to see if Paul was dead or alive and, if dead, to bury him. In that group Timothy may very well have been along with Eunice and Barnabas. Timothy, a lad of about fifteen, would not soon forget that solemn scene (2Ti 3:11). But Paul suddenly (apparently a miraculous recovery) rose up () and entered the city to the surprise and joy of the disciples who were willing to brave persecution with Paul.
With Barnabas ( ). With the assistance of Barnabas. It was plainly unwise to continue in Lystra so that they set out on the next day ( , ten times in Acts), shaken and bruised as Paul was. Derbe was some forty miles distant, near the pass to the Cilician Gates.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
To Derbe. A journey of only a few hours.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
FURTHER WITNESSING AND CONFIRMATION V. 20-22
1) “Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him,” (kuklosanton de ton matheton auton) “Then as the disciples surrounded him, stood all around him,” as it was feared that he was dead or dying from the stoning, after having been dragged out of the city; note there were some faithful disciples who unrecanting followed him outside the city, perhaps to bury him, but God intervened, 2Ti 3:11; 2Co 11:25.
2) “He rose up and came into the city: (anastas eiselthen eis ten polin) “Rising up, from the prone position on the ground, he entered into (went back into) the city,” perhaps led and accompanied by the band of disciples, the church of Lystra, where Timothy, Paul’s son in the ministry, lived, where he joined Paul for a life of mission service on Paul’s next visit to Lystra, Act 16:1-5; 1Ti 1:2; 1Ti 1:18; 1Ti 2:1.
3) “And the next day,” (kai te epaurion) “And on the day following,” the next day after his stoning and return into the city for the night where he may have been cared for in the home of Timothy’s family, 2Ti 1:4-9; 2Ti 3:14-15.
4) “He departed with Barnabas to Derbe,” (ekselthen sun to Barnaba eis Derben) “He went forth, by his own choice, in colleague with Barnabas into Derbe;” Barnabas had escaped or avoided the stoning that was directed at Paul, but he joined him the next day to journey into the city of Derbe, in the region of Lycaonia, Act 14:6, where they were well received, taught the word and made many disciples, Act 14:21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
20. As the disciples. Though no man defended Paul, yet Luke showeth that the godly were desirous of his life; − (42) yet they did so moderate themselves, lest they should attempt anything with great danger to no end, seeing they could not help him unless it were done privily. And surely we must always mark what the Lord hath brought to our hand. If I, standing upon the bank, shall see a man in the midst of the water, and cannot reach him my hand when he is like to be drowned, − (43) what is remaining for me to do but to commend him to the Lord? And [but] if there be any hope to help him, then must I endanger myself. − (44) Therefore, we will not say that Saint Paul was left alone by the disciples through sloth, seeing they could not help him; and they declare their love and care when they stand about him after he is cast out. −
They went to Derbe It appeareth plainly by this that Paul was miraculously saved, seeing that, on the morrow, after he was cast out for dead, he taketh his journey, being fresh and sound; whence it is also gathered what an invincible heart he bare against all evils and afflictions. For he creepeth not into a corner, where, like an overworn soldier, he may live idly; but he goeth to the same places where he was uncourteously and cruelly handled but a little before. Notwithstanding Luke showeth that the church was first planted among the men of Derbe, he addeth afterward, that Paul and Barnabas returned unto the churches which they had ordained, that they might confirm the disciples; whereby by he giveth us to understand that the use of the Word consisteth not in instruction only, whereby the hearer is only taught, but that it is also available for confirmation of faith, in admonishing, exhorting, and reproving. And Christ doth not only command his ministers to teach, but also to exhort; and Paul saith that the Scripture is profitable not only to teach, but also to exhort, ( Tit 3:16.) Wherefore, let not pastors think that they have done their duty as they ought, when they have well trained up their people in true knowledge, unless they employ themselves to this part also. Again, let not the faithful neglect the Word of God, as if the reading and preaching thereof were unnecessary; because there is no man who hath not need of continual confirmation. −
(42) −
“
De ejus vita sollicitos,” were anxious for his life.
(43) −
“
Naufrago,” when shipwrecked.
(44) −
“
Periculum subire,” run the risk.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
HOMILETICAL ANALYSIS.Act. 14:20-28
The Homeward Journey of Paul and Barnabas; or, Back to Antioch in Syria
I. The turning point.Derbe (see on Act. 14:6).
1. The character of the apostles work in Derbe. Preaching the gospel. Thus early were Pauls mottoes, This one thing I do (Php. 3:13); whom we preach (Col. 1:28); Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1Co. 2:2).
2. The acceptance of the apostles work in Derbe. No persecutions encountered here (see 2Ti. 3:11). The omission of Derbe from the list of places in which persecution was experienced strikingly confirms the narrative of Luke (Paley, Hor Paulin, Act. 4:9).
3. The success of the apostles work in Derbe. They made many disciples, amongst them probably Gaius of Derbe (Act. 20:4).
4. The duration of the apostles work at Derbe. Not stated, but may be inferred to have been some weeks.
II. The way back.
1. The route indicated. First to Lystra, twenty miles; next to Iconium, forty miles; after that to Antioch in Pisidia, sixty miles; then to Perga in Pamphylia; then across the plain for sixteen miles to Attalia (the modern Satalia), founded by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamus, a seaport on the Pamphylian Gulf and near the mouth of the Catarrhactes; and finally thence to Antioch in Syria.
2. The work done.
(1) Confirming the souls of the disciples. Not by outward rites, but by instruction and encouragement, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and reminding them that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
(2) Appointing elders in every Church. These elders or presbyters were not modern diocesan bishops, but presiding overseers of different Churches. The mode of their election is not sufficiently clear. Whether by the stretching forth of the hands of the congregation or of the apostles is disputed. If the method adopted in the election of deacons (Act. 6:5-6) was followed here, then the congregation would elect and the apostles ordain, the service being accompanied with fasting and prayer, in which the chosen office-bearers were commended to God for their work.
(3) Preaching the gospel. This, doubtless, would not be neglected in any of the towns visited on the homeward route, but it is specially mentioned that they spoke the word in Perga, because they had not done so on the outward journey (Act. 13:13; which see for the reason of this omission).
III. Home reached.
1. Their arrival in the city. From Attalia they sailed to Seleucia, saw once more the steep cone of Mount Casius, climbed the slopes of Coryphus, and made their way under the pleasant shade of ilex and myrtles and arbutus, on the banks of the Orontes, until they crossed the well-known bridge, and saw the grim head of Charon, stating over the street Singn, in which neighbourhood the little Christian community were prepared to welcome them with keen interest and unbounded love (Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul, i. 390).
2. Their meeting with the Church.
(1) This was proper, seeing they had been by the Church recommended (or committed) to the grace of God for the work they had fulfilled (Act. 13:3). Nothing could have been more becoming than that they should report to the Church how the work had fared.
(2) Interesting, since they rehearsed all that God had done with themi.e., their experiences, and in particular how God had opened a door of faith unto the Gentilesi.e., the success which had attended their labours.
(3) Encouraging, as showing the wisdom of the step which had been taken in despatching a mission to the heathen.
3. Their stay with the disciples. A long or no little time. The exact duration of the first missionary journey can only be approximately calculated. If it began in March A.D. 45, we are hardly at liberty to suppose that it occupied much more than a year (Farrar), in which case the return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch would fall in all probability about the spring of A.D 46. Professor Ramsay gives April 45July 47 (or 4648) as the period over which the first journey extended. From the close of the journey they remained in Antioch till the outbreak of controversy concerning the terms on which the Gentiles should be admitted to the Church required their presence in Jerusalem (Act. 15:2).
Learn.
1. The duty of persevering in the work of the Lord.
2. The necessity of abiding in the faith.
3. The only way of entering the kingdom.
4. The Scripturalness of Church order.
5. The interest Christians should take in foreign missions.
HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Act. 14:21-22. The Pastoral Officeits True Function.
I. To preach the gospel.
II. To make disciples.
III. To confirm believers.
IV. To comfort the suffering.
Act. 14:22. Scriptural Confirmation.
I. Not an external (bodily) rite, but an internal (spiritual) grace.
II. Not performed by the laying on of hands, but by the utterance of exhortations and consolations.
III. Not doing a work of establishment, for others, but instructing others to do this for themselves.
Act. 14:22. The Way into the Kingdom.
I. PainfulThrough much tribulation or many tribulations.
II. Necessary.We must. Un avoidable by any, indispensable for all.
III. Certain.It leads into the kingdom. No question about whither it conducts.
IV. Blessed.The terminus to which it tends is the kingdom of God.
Entering the Kingdom.
I. Heaven a kingdom.
1. Its sovereign, God. The great king who built it, the architect of the universe, the Lord of Hosts.
2. Its subjects.
(1) In nature diversified, angels and redeemed men.
(2) In character, holy and without blemish,
(3) In condition, free from every defect and possessed of every felicity.
(4) In number, a multitude which no man can number and constantly increasing.
3. Its permanence. It will never be destroyed and never pass away.
II. The believers entrance into the kingdom.Effected
1. In time through regeneration, a work of gracious renewal upon his heart, which ipso facto at once constitutes him a subject of the kingdom.
2. At death, when the soul, having been purified and perfected through much tribulation, taking its departure from the body, passes through the vale and joins the company of the spirits of just men made perfect. This entrance certainly follows on the first after an interval, longer or shorter, of preparation.
Continuing in the Faith.
I. The danger of declining from the faith.Arising from
1. Indwelling sin.
2. The fascinations and temptations of the world.
3. The ills and tribulations of life.
4. False teachers and erroneous teaching.
5. The self-righteousness and spiritual pride of even converted hearts.
II. The necessity of abiding in the faith.
1. Christs express command.
2. Continuance in the faith the best evidence of having ever been in the faith.
3. Without this the prize of eternal life cannot be won.
Act. 14:23. The Office of the Eldership.
I. Its authority.Derived from the Head of the Church (Eph. 4:11).
II. Its function.To superintend the membership of the Church (Act. 20:28).
III. Its selection.By the members of the Church. Christ an people should elect their own office bearers.
IV. Its ordination.By the apostles in the first instance (2Ti. 1:6), afterwards by the laying on of the hands of the presbyters (1Ti. 4:14)
V. Its efficiency.Derived from the Lord, on whom the elder has believed.
VI. Its sphere.Within the Church. Purely a spiritual office.
VII. Its qualification.The elder must himself be a believer. Other qualifications are set forth in the pastoral epistles.
Act. 14:26-27. The First Recorded Missionary Meeting.
I. The place where it was held.In Antioch of Syria, which had sent forth the first pair of evangelists to proclaim the gospel to the heathen. An unperishable renown which never can be taken from Antioch.
II. The congregation which assembled.The company of believers in the city, or the Church. That all the Christians who could be were present, that all were interested in the proceedings, and that all were eager to see the men who had hazarded their lives for the name of Jesus Christ (Act. 15:26), can hardly be doubted.
III. The story told by the missionaries.Paul and Barnabas related all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Act. 14:27. The (or a) Door of Faith.
I. Divinely constructed.Salvation by faith a scheme, not of mans ininventing, but of Gods appointing.
II. Widely opened.By the publication of the gospel, inviting all who will to enter.
III. Easily reached.Requiring no distant or difficult pilgrimage to get near it: The word is nigh thee, etc. (Rom. 10:8).
IV. Freely entered.By all who come in the exercise of simple faith, trusting in the mercy of God for Jesus sake.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
9.
AT DERBE. Act. 14:20 b, Act. 14:21 a.
Act. 14:20 b
and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.
Act. 14:21 a
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples.
Act. 14:20 b Act. 14:21 a The next day, or on the morrow, we are told, he was able to set out with Barnabas for the town of Derbe, between thirty and forty miles away. It lay on the southeast among the foothills of Tarsus. But the memory of this scene was ineffaceable. It was one of the many perils from his own countrymen and from the heathen, one of his being in death oft, which sank deepest into his mind. Once, says he, I was stoned. Henceforth, in remembrance of his sufferings, he regarded himself as always bearing about in the body the putting to death of Jesus and could tell the Galatians, in whose province he had thus suffered, Let no man trouble me for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus, the marks of the stones showered on him at Lystra, and the scourgings with great whips or thick rods, lacerating the flesh to the bone, which He had endured no fewer than eight times. (2Co. 11:23-28; 2Co. 4:10; Gal. 6:17.)
A long bare slope, with bushes and loose stones scattered over it, and a few ruined buildings of comparatively modern date, lead up to a broad low mound which crowns it, and under this, in all probability, lie, the remains of the Derbe of Paul. It was the frontier city of the Roman province, towards, the southeast, and, as such, was honored by a connection with the name of Claudius, as Claudio-Derbe. Many disciples had joined the new faith in Derbe and thus another church of former heathen had been formed. (Geikie Hours With The Bible, Vol. II, pages 286289).
485.
Where does Paul mention the stoning in his epistles?
486.
Describe the site of Derbewhat response to the gospel?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(20) Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him.They, it is obvious, had been powerless to prevent the attack; but they stole out, when all was over, it may be, with the purpose of giving at least a decent interment. We may fairly think of Lois, and Eunice, and Timotheus, as present in that crowd, weeping first for sorrow, and then for exceeding joy, to find that the teacher whom they loved was stunned only, and not dead.
He departed with Barnabas to Derbe.The journey was one that must have occupied several hours, and we do well to remember that after the suffering of the previous day, it must have been one of peculiar hardship and fatigue. The city of Derbe was, as has been said, twenty miles to the east of Lystra. It was just within the Cappadocian boundary of Isauria. The exact site has not been identified, but the ruins of an Acropolis have been found not far from the lake Ak-Ghieul, which have been supposed to be the remains of Derbe. The whole region was infamous for its brigandage, and there may be a reference to this in the perils of robbers of 2Co. 11:26.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Disciples stood round The murdered man is not deserted by his faithful converts; surrounding him, doubtless consulting with what obsequies to honour him. But before they had decided the murdered man rose up, relieving them from their tasks, and came into the city. We have called him the murdered man, assuming that the Lystrans, who dragged his body out of their town, had full opportunity for a correct judgment, and we have their authority for it that there was violence enough to kill him, and symptoms sufficient to prove him killed. But mark the calm boldness of Paul, rising and firmly walking, equally independent of Barnabas and the surrounding disciples, into the city from whose streets he had just been dragged as dead. Yet prudence dictated that he should leave the ensuing day, and he obeyed.
Among the disciples here made there was a young man who became to Paul a minister more true than John Mark, a fellow apostle more persevering than Barnabas. This was TIMOTHY of Lystra. By his mother Eunice, and his grandmother Lois, Timothy was taught the Scriptures from his childhood. Two of St. Paul’s epistles were to him addressed, (Act 16:1.)
To Derbe Which lies eastward from Lystra, distant a few hours’ journey.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city.’
But as the grief-stricken believers gathered round his body, to their surprise Paul rose up and walked into the city, and was able to leave for Derbe the next day. There may be a hint here that it was to be seen as a kind of resurrection. Certainly it was symbolically so. It was an evidence of Christ’s resurrection and a reminder that He Who could heal the lame could also protect this man from the effects of stoning and could raise the dead at the last day.
But Paul must have been very battered and he would probably carry the scars from that incident for the remainder of his life. It was partly of these that he would shortly write, ‘I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus’ (Gal 6:17). But the remarkable thing is how little the New Testament writers, as with Luke here, concentrate on the depth of their joint sufferings. They looked on them as a necessary part of their ministry and almost shrugged them off (Act 14:22).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
‘And on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.’
So the next day it was felt advisable to depart for Derbe, which has now been identified as near Kerti Huyuk. And there they proclaimed the Good News to the town, and made ‘many disciples’. It was a wholly successful visit, but there were otherwise no incidents of any note. It was possibly even too small to have a synagogue and would therefore not be of interest to the persecuting Jews. Yet it was from Derbe that Gaius the companion of Paul would come (Act 20:4). Little acorns can produce great oaks.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Further Ministry and Follow Up And Back to Syrian Antioch (14:20b-28).
Recognising that their continued presence in Lystra would not be for the good of the infant church, and that they must let passions be allowed to die down, Paul and Barnabas made for Derbe, sixty miles away.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 14:20. He rose up, &c. That, just after he had been stoned, dragged about the streets, and left for dead, he should rise, and walk back into the city, must certainly have been the effect of a miraculous cure, approaching as near as one can well conceive to a resurrection from the dead. This is the more illustrated by his going the next day to Derbe; whereas, in the course of nature, he would then have felt his bruises much more than at first; and probably, after the best care that could have been taken of him, would scarcely have been able to move. Possibly by coming into the city, and shewing himself to the new converts at least, if not to others, he hoped, as he reasonably might, to confirm their faith, and their holy courageous attachment to the gospel. St. Paul evidently alludes to his treatment at these places, and to the time of his being there, 2Ti 3:10-11. As Timothy was a Lydian, he had very probably been an eye-witness of the sufferings of St. Paul at that place, and even one of those who stood by when the apostle revived, after he was stoned, and left for dead.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Ver. 20. He rose up ] He starts up when stoned with a sic, sic oportet intrare; so heaven is gotten by pains, by patience, by violence, persecution being our inseparable companion. Sic petitur caelum.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
20. ] . , not to bury him , but, as would naturally be the case, in mournful anxiety and regret .
] The prima facie , and I think the right impression is, that this recovery was supernatural . It is not indeed so strongly implied, as to leave no doubt: especially as a blow from a stone would be likely to stun and occasion the appearance of death.
] See above, on Act 14:6 . Strabo, xii. 6, says of it, , , (cf. Cicero, Epp. xiii. 73, ‘Cum Antipatro Derbete mihi non solum hospitium verum etiam summa familiaritas intercedit’) . , , . . And Stephanus Byzantinus, (for this, evidently an error, the French translators of Strabo propose to read . There is a large lake, now called Ak Gl, near the presumed site of Derbe, see C. and H. i. 239). , . (Wetst.) From this variety of the name, , Mr. Hamilton thought the modern Divl might be Derbe. Mr. Lewin (i. 167) objects, that there is no lake near Divl: but this objection only affects the conjectural emendation mentioned above. From Derbe not being enumerated, 2Ti 3:11 , with Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, as the scene of any of Paul’s sufferings, we may perhaps infer that none befell him there.
They may have fled to Derbe, as being in a different jurisdiction from Lystra; the latter being comprised in the Roman province of Galatia, whereas Derbe seems to have belonged at this time to Antiochus, king of Commagene. See Lewin, i. p. 168; Strabo, xiv. 5; Dio, lix. 8; lx. 8; Jos. Antt. xix. 5. 1.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 14:20 . .: Bengel says “tanquam sepeliendum,” and others have held the same view, but the word need not imply more than that the disciples surrounded him, to help if human aid could profit, and to lament for him in his sufferings. Amongst the mourners the youthful Timothy may well have found a place. On Timothy’s means of knowing of the Apostle’s sufferings here narrated see Paley, Hor Paulin, u. s . : the Apostles’ work had not therefore been unsuccessful: there were converts willing to brave persecution, and to avow themselves as disciples. : the journey to Derbe was one of some hours, not free from risk, and the mention of Paul’s undertaking and finishing it on the morrow indicates how wonderfully he had been strengthened in his recovery. The word is found ten times in Acts, and not at all in Luke’s Gospel, but cf. Luk 10:35 , Act 4:5 only; Hawkins’ Hor Syn. , p. 144. It occurs three times in chap. 10, no less than in the second half of the book. .: apparently he had been free from attack, since Paul was the chief speaker, and consequently provoked hostility.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Howbeit = But.
stood round about = encircled. Greek. kukloo. Only here, Luk 21:20. Joh 10:24. Heb 11:30. Rev 20:9.
rose up, and = having risen up, i.e. by Divine power. Greek. anistemi. App-178. Same word as “stand” in Act 14:10.
the, next day = on the morrow. Compare Mat 10:23.
to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
20.] ., not to bury him, but, as would naturally be the case, in mournful anxiety and regret.
] The prima facie, and I think the right impression is, that this recovery was supernatural. It is not indeed so strongly implied, as to leave no doubt: especially as a blow from a stone would be likely to stun and occasion the appearance of death.
] See above, on Act 14:6. Strabo, xii. 6, says of it, , , (cf. Cicero, Epp. xiii. 73, Cum Antipatro Derbete mihi non solum hospitium verum etiam summa familiaritas intercedit) . , , . . And Stephanus Byzantinus, (for this, evidently an error, the French translators of Strabo propose to read . There is a large lake, now called Ak Gl, near the presumed site of Derbe, see C. and H. i. 239). , . (Wetst.) From this variety of the name, , Mr. Hamilton thought the modern Divl might be Derbe. Mr. Lewin (i. 167) objects, that there is no lake near Divl: but this objection only affects the conjectural emendation mentioned above. From Derbe not being enumerated, 2Ti 3:11, with Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, as the scene of any of Pauls sufferings, we may perhaps infer that none befell him there.
They may have fled to Derbe, as being in a different jurisdiction from Lystra; the latter being comprised in the Roman province of Galatia, whereas Derbe seems to have belonged at this time to Antiochus, king of Commagene. See Lewin, i. p. 168; Strabo, xiv. 5; Dio, lix. 8; lx. 8; Jos. Antt. xix. 5. 1.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 14:20. , as the disciples stood round about him) as one who was to be buried.-, came into) Implying great confidence: being thereby about to confirm believers. [Barnabas was even still in the city.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
as: Act 20:9-12, 2Co 1:9, 2Co 1:10, 2Co 6:9, Rev 11:7-12
came: Act 12:17, Act 16:40, Act 20:1
Derbe: Act 14:6, Act 16:1
Reciprocal: Mat 10:23 – when Act 20:4 – Derbe Act 20:19 – by the Act 26:17 – Delivering Act 26:22 – obtained Rom 15:19 – so that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Act 14:20. As the disciples stood round about him. His work in Lystra had not been in vain. Different to the awful night in Gethsemane when all forsook the arrested Master and fled, the disciples of Paul, undismayed by their masters arrest and execution, gathered round the poor scarred body of him they judged dead; and as they sorrowfully gazed on the pale disfigured features, the martyr rose up and walked among living men once more.
That this recovery of Paul after the cruel stoning was miraculous, is the natural, indeed the only inference. Several commentators suggest with great probability, that among that group of mourning disciples gathered that day at Lystra round the apostles apparently lifeless body, was the young Timothy, who, no doubt, heard the story of the Cross from Pauls lips during that first visit of the apostle; nor is it an unlikely surmise which dates the enthusiastic and lifelong devotion of the young disciple from that morning when Paul suffered as Christs faithful martyr.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 14:20. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round For there were some here at Lystra that became disciples, having found the mean between deifying the apostles and rejecting them. And though Pauls enemies left him for dead, yet these would not leave him, but stood round about his body, having courage to own him when he was thus cruelly treated, though they had reason enough to fear, that the same persons that stoned him might stone them for manifesting such regard for him. Probably they stood considering how they should perform the last office of affection to him, in bearing him to his funeral with proper respect. Unexpectedly, however, while they were considering of this, to their unspeakable surprise, he rose up As in perfect health; and went into the city That just after he had been stoned, dragged about the streets and left for dead, he should be able to rise and walk back into the city, must certainly be the effect of a miraculous cure, approaching as near as one can conceive to a resurrection from the dead. This was the more illustrated by his going the next day to Derbe; whereas, in the course of nature, he would then have felt his bruises much more than at first; and probably, after the best care that could have been taken of him, would hardly have been able to move. Probably by going into the city, and showing himself to the new converts, at least, if not to others, he hoped, as he reasonably might, to confirm their faith in, and their courageous attachment to, the gospel.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
20. Although Paul’s physical constitution was feeble, he had, as is often the case with such constitutions, great tenacity of life. The mob left him, thinking he was dead. (20) “But while the disciples were standing around him, he rose up, and entered into the city, and the next day he went out with Barnabas into Derbe.”
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
20, 21. Now the sorrowing Nazarenes gather around their murdered brother to bury him. To their joyful surprise, he jumps out of the rock-pile with a big shout, and walks with Barnabas to his next appointment at Derbe. Cheered with Gods blessing on their labors, and witnessing many conversions, they come right back to Lystra, where they had killed Paul. Do you think you could have come back and give them a chance to kill you again?
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Ministry at Derbe 14:20-21a
Paul and Barnabas next moved about 60 miles farther to the southeast to Derbe (meaning juniper, modern Kerti Hüyük) on the eastern border of the Galatian province. [Note: See M. Ballance, The Site of Derbe: A New Inscription.] Many more people became believers and disciples there (cf. Act 20:4). Luke did not record what the apostles experienced there, but this was the home of Gaius, one of Paul’s later companions (Act 20:4). Perhaps Gaius became a convert at this time.
The larger towns of Antioch and Iconium seem to have produced more influential churches, but the smaller ones of Lystra and Derbe contributed more young men who became leaders (i.e., Timothy and Gaius).
This is "a pattern not altogether different from today, where the larger churches often capture the headlines and the smaller congregations provide much of the personnel." [Note: Longenecker, p. 438.]