But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

ACTS 14:4KJV
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Acts 14:4 (KJV)

What does Acts 14:4 mean?

Acts 14:4 describes how the people of a city were split in their opinions: some sided with the Jewish leaders, while others supported the apostles. This division shows that the message the apostles brought was controversial and not everyone agreed about what was happening.

In this part of Acts, Paul and Barnabas are in the city of Iconium, speaking to both Jews and non-Jews about Jesus. Their teaching causes a stir, leading to a sharp divide among the townspeople. The verse highlights the real tension and disagreement that arose as the apostles shared their message, setting the stage for the conflict that follows in the next verses.

The Greek behind Acts 14:4

  • The word for "divided" is ἐσχίσθη (eschisthē, from σχίζω, schizō), which means to split or tear apart. This carries the sense of a deep, even painful division among the people, not just a mild difference of opinion.
  • The word for "multitude" is πλῆθος (plēthos), meaning a large group or crowd. The use of this word suggests that it was not just a few individuals but a significant portion of the city involved in this division.
  • The word for "held with" is ἦσαν σὺν (ēsan syn), which means "were with" or "stood with." This phrase shows a clear alignment or loyalty to one side or the other, not just passive agreement.

Why Acts 14:4 matters

  • Acts 14:4 makes clear that the apostles' message was not universally accepted, even among people who heard the same words and saw the same events.
  • The verse helps explain why later verses describe threats and violence against Paul and Barnabas; the division in the city was strong enough to lead to real conflict.
  • This moment connects to a pattern seen throughout Acts, where the gospel often brings both belief and opposition, showing the real-life challenges faced by the early Christian movement.

Where else these words appear

“divided” Greek G4977 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
  • Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
  • John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

“multitude” Greek G4128 · used in 32 verses

  • Mark 3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
  • John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
  • Acts 15:30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

“apostles” Greek G652 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
  • 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

“with” Greek G4862 · used in 121 verses

  • Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
  • Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
  • Acts 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.