Bible Strands
Acts 14:4
The people of the city were divided. Some sided with the Jews, and others with the apostles.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul and Barnabas stand in a city immediately after performing signs and wonders to confirm their preaching of grace. The moment captures the crowd's reaction before local rulers and hostile groups plot to stone them.
The words — ἐσχίσθη (eschisthē) literally means "was divided" or "was split," describing the sudden fracture of the city's multitude. The Greek structure places this division as the direct result of the apostles' public ministry.
The thread — This pattern of divided response to the gospel recurs in Acts 28:24, where some listeners are convinced while others refuse to believe. The narrative tension also mirrors the contested authority depicted in Luke 11:21.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to accept that confirmed preaching naturally produces factionalism rather than consensus. It demands preparation for the reality that divine validation often precedes organized opposition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Cross-references
- Acts 28:24 Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.
- Luke 11:21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure.
- Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
- Acts 17:4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
- Acts 19:9 But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
- Micah 7:6 For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
- Matthew 10:34 Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
- Luke 2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
- Luke 12:51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division.
- John 7:43 So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus.