19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe
Verses 19 and 20 show how Jews from Antioch and Iconium incited the mob against the apostles.
14:19
Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
After mob psychology took over the crowd, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city limp, thinking he was dead (2 Co 11:25).
14:20
However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city.
After the mob left Paul, the believers came to help him. Paul, however, rose and went into the city. He was well enough to walk to the city.
And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
The next day the apostles left Lystra and departed to Derbe. Derbe was about 60 miles southeast of Lystra. Their journey would have taken several days.
PRINCIPLE:
People can be fickle.
APPLICATION:
Crowds can be fickle. At one moment they can praise, and the next condemn. Some people can turn hostile when leaders do not meet their expectations. Leaders today should never rest what they do on the prevailing opinions of the crowd but upon their principles of ministry.
