NOTES for Act 13:42-14:7

Events unfold similarly in both Pisidian Antioch and Iconium. At first, the brothers preach in the synagogue, where recent pagans who have discovered the God of Israel show greater interest in the preaching than the Jews. Apparently, those who have only recently discovered biblical revelation find it easier to draw the conclusions the apostles proclaim than those for whom tradition has displaced openness to the Word. The tragedy of God's own people failing to recognize Him deepens, and the moment comes when Paul and Barnabas must declare openly that from now on they intend to turn to the Gentiles.

The tragedy is further deepened by the fact that opponents of the apostolic preaching stirred up devout, respected women and the city's leading men to join in the persecution. It would be easier if we could accuse all the persecutors of being scoundrels and the dregs of society: then we could evade the painful question of why worthy people did not accept us, while exalting ourselves by humiliating our opponents. But no: worthy people may be found among our enemies, and even among those who serve evil. How often dreams of a fellowship of people of goodwill are shattered by the reality that good people's wills are directed toward evil mistaken for good...