Acts 14:4 Meaning: When the Gospel Divides a City
But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews and part with the apostles.
But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles,
And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews and some with the apostles.
Meaning in one sentence
Understand the division in Iconium from Acts 14:4. Learn why the gospel can split communities and how to respond with grace.
Context
Paul and Barnabas had just seen a great number of people in Iconium believe in Jesus. But not everyone was happy. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the apostles. Still, Paul and Barnabas stayed and spoke boldly. The Lord backed them up with signs and wonders. But the city became a house divided. Some lined up with the Jewish leaders who rejected the message, and others sided with the apostles who preached it. This is the moment just before a plot to stone them forced the apostles to flee.
Key Words
The Greek word behind “was divided” (eschisthē) comes from a verb that means to split, to tear, or to rend, like ripping a piece of cloth. Luke uses the same root word elsewhere for a torn curtain or a divided crowd. It is a violent image. The gospel did not gently nudge Iconium apart; it split the city. And the word for “apostles” (apostolois) simply means “sent ones.” Yet here that ordinary word becomes a banner. To hold with the apostles was to stand with the message they carried, even when the whole city was tearing over it.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have long seen this verse as a sobering reminder of how the gospel affects communities. Matthew Henry notes that division is often the result of preaching, but the fault lies not in the Good News, it lies in human hearts that oppose the truth. John Calvin adds that when division comes, we must not blame the gospel; we must look to see who is opposing God. The Cambridge Bible for Schools points out that Jesus Himself warned division would come (Luke 12:51). Across traditions, Christians agree: the gospel doesn’t cause division as its purpose, but it exposes the divisions already present in human loyalties.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
You may not face a city divided over your faith, but perhaps a family member has grown distant since you started taking your faith more seriously. Maybe a friendship has cooled. This verse does not tell you to enjoy the division, but it does say: do not be surprised. The gospel rearranges loyalties. This week, when you feel the strain, let it remind you that you are in good company, Paul and Barnabas knew the same pain. Keep loving the people on the other side of the split, and don’t let their rejection shake your confidence in the One who sent you.
Main takeaway: Division follows the gospel not because God wants conflict, but because the truth forces us to choose whose side we are on.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When Paul and Barnabas told people about Jesus, some believed and some didn’t. The whole city was split. But Paul and Barnabas kept loving everyone anyway. You can too.
For ages 9, 12
Have you ever had a friend stop talking to you because of something you believe? That’s what happened in Iconium. The gospel caused the city to take sides. Jesus warned this would happen. It doesn’t mean you did something wrong. It means the truth matters enough that not everyone will accept it. Keep praying for the people who don’t agree with you.
Questions People Ask
Why did the gospel cause division in Iconium?
The gospel calls everyone to turn from sin and trust in Jesus. Some people in Iconium wanted to hold onto their old beliefs and the approval of the Jewish leaders. They stirred up others to oppose the apostles. The division came because the truth brought a choice, and not everyone chose Jesus.
Does God want families to split over faith?
No. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. But He also warned that following Him could cause families to divide (Luke 12:52-53). The division is not God’s desire, but it is sometimes the result of human rejection of the truth. God uses even painful divisions to draw people closer to Him.
What does the word 'divided' mean in the original Greek?
The Greek word is eschisthē from schizō. It means to split, tear, or rend, like ripping a curtain or breaking a rope. It shows how strongly the city was pulled apart. It was not a mild disagreement; it was a deep fracture.
How should I respond if my faith is causing division in my relationships?
Keep loving the people who disagree with you, just as Paul and Barnabas continued to preach even when rejected. Don’t compromise the truth, but don’t become harsh or bitter. Pray for those who oppose you, and trust that God can work even in divided situations.
Are Paul and Barnabas called 'apostles' here in a different way than the Twelve?
Yes. In the broader sense, an apostle is someone sent with a mission. Paul and Barnabas were not among the original twelve disciples, but they were commissioned by the Holy Spirit and the church at Antioch to spread the gospel. The term recognizes their authority as messengers of Christ.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study