The Meaning of Acts 14:14 Explained

Acts 14:14

KJV: Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

YLT: and having heard, the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having rent their garments, did spring into the multitude, crying

Darby: But the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having heard it, rent their garments, and rushed out to the crowd, crying

ASV: But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[Which] when  the apostles,  Barnabas  and  Paul,  heard  [of], they rent  their  clothes,  and ran  in among  the people,  crying out, 

What does Acts 14:14 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Tearing one"s robe was a common way Jews expressed grief and, in this case, horror over blasphemy (cf. Mark 14:63). Usually they tore the robe for about four or five inches from the neckline.

Context Summary

Acts 14:14-28 - Establishing The New Believers
In Paul's address we have distinct anticipations of the early chapters of the Epistle to the Romans. How fickle a mob is! Now, enthusiastic loyalty; again, disappointment and rejection. Today, "Hosanna;" tomorrow, "Crucify." "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils."
It has been supposed by some that the trance of 2 Corinthians 12:1-21 took place at the time of Paul's stoning in Lystra. It must have been sorrow indeed to awaken from such a vision to the suffering of his battered body. But that scene, no doubt, gave him the love and devotion of the young Timothy and his mother and grandmother. See Acts 16:1-2. On Paul's next visit to Lystra, this son, whom he had begotten in the sore anguish of that hour, was to become his devoted attendant.
In spite of the treatment Paul had received, he returned to the city, Acts 14:21. Back to the stones! Naught could stay his ardent spirit, if only disciples were to be won or confirmed in their faith for the Master, Acts 14:22. Everywhere these intrepid missionaries found the blood-stained track of the Cross, but they filled up to the brim the measure of their opportunity. This will be possible for us all only when we are such that God can co-operate with us as our fellow-worker and open the door. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 14

1  Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium
8  At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods
19  Paul is stoned
21  They pass through various churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience
26  Returning to Antioch, they report what God had done with them

Greek Commentary for Acts 14:14

Having heard [ακουσαντες]
Such elaborate preparation “with the multitudes” First aorist active participle from διαρρηγνυμι — diarrēgnumi old verb to rend in two. Like the high priest in Matthew 26:65 as if an act of sacrilege was about to be committed. It was strange conduct for the supposed gods! [source]
Sprang forth [εχεπηδησαν]
First aorist (ingressive) active indicative of εκπηδαω — ekpēdaō (note εκ — ek), old verb, here only in the N.T. It was all a sign of grief and horror with loud outcries (κραζοντες — krazontes). [source]
Ran in [εἰσεπήδησαν]
A feeble translation, even if this reading is retained. The verb means to leap or spring. The best texts read ἐξεπήδησαν , sprang forth, probably from the gate of their house, or from the city gate, if the sacrifice was prepared in front of it. [source]
Crying out [κράζοντες]
Inarticulate shouts to attract attention. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 14:14

Mark 3:14 Whom he also named apostles [hous kai apostolous ōnomasen)]
Margin of Revised Version, the text of Westcott and Hort after Aleph, B, C, etc. Genuine in Luke 6:13 and probably so here. The meaning is that Jesus himself gave the name apostle or missionary It is applied also to Paul on a par with the twelve (Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:11., etc.) and also to Barnabas (Acts 14:14), and perhaps also to Timothy and Silas (1 Timothy 2:6.). Two purposes of Jesus are mentioned by Mark in the choice of these twelve, that they might be with him They were not ready to be sent forth till they had been with Jesus for some time. This is one of the chief tasks of Christ to train this group of men. See Bruce‘s The Training of the Twelve. The very word ινα ωσιν μετ αυτου — apostolos is from και ινα αποστελληι αυτους — apostellō There were two purposes in sending them forth expressed by two infinitives, one to preach This double ministry of preaching and healing was to mark their work. The two things are, however, different, and one does not necessarily involve the other. [source]
Luke 5:5 Brake [διεῤῥήγνυτο]
Some texts read διερήσσετο , from the later form of the verb. The difference is unimportant. The A. V. fails to give the force of the imperfect, were breaking, as Rev.; or even better, possibly, began to break. Trench suggests were at the point to break. The word occurs also at Luke 8:29; Acts 14:14, and only twice beside in the New Testament. Luke alone uses the two compounds περιῤῥήγνυμι , of rending off clothes (see on Acts 16:22), and, προσρήγνυμι to beat violently (Luke 6:48, Luke 6:49). See on those passages. All the words occur in medical writings. [source]
Acts 16:29 Sprang in []
See on ran in, Acts 14:14. [source]
Acts 16:18 Being sore troubled [διαπονητεις]
First aorist passive of διαπονεω — diaponeō old verb, to work laboriously, then in passive to be “worked up,” displeased, worn out. In the N.T. only here and Acts 4:2 which see (there of the Sadducees about Peter‘s preaching). Paul was grieved, annoyed, indignant. He wanted no testimony from a source like this any more than he did the homage of the people of Lystra (Acts 14:14). That very hour (αυτηι τηι ωραι — autēi tēi hōrāi). Locative case of time and familiar Lukan idiom in his Gospel, “at the hour itself.” The cure was instantaneous. Paul, like Jesus, distinguished between the demon and the individual. [source]
Acts 16:28 Sprang in [εισεπηδησεν]
First aorist active of εισπηδαω — eispēdaō old verb, but here only in the N.T. Cf. εκπηδαω — ekpēdaō in Acts 14:14. The jailor was at the outer door and he wanted lights to see what was inside in the inner prison. [source]
Acts 4:36 Barnabas [αρναβας]
His name was Joseph (correct text, and not Jesus) and he is mentioned as one illustration of those in Acts 4:34 who selling brought the money. The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas by which later he was known because of this noble deed. This fact argues that all did not actually sell, but were ready to do so if needed. Possibly Joseph had a larger estate than some others also. The meaning of the nickname is given by Luke as “son of consolation or exhortation” Doubtless his gifts as a preacher lay along this same line. Rackham thinks that the apostles gave him this name when he was recognized as a prophet. In Acts 11:23 the very word παρεκαλει — parekalei (exhorted) is used of Barnabas up at Antioch. He is the type of preacher described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:3. Encouragement is the chief idea in παρακλησις — paraklēsis though exhortation, comfort, consolation are used to render it (Acts 9:31; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:31). See also Acts 16:9; Acts 20:12. It is not necessary to think that the apostles coined the name Barnabas for Joseph which originally may have come from αρνεβους — Barnebous (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 308-10), son of Nebo, or even the Hebrew Bar Nebi (son of a prophet). But, whatever the origin, the popular use is given by Luke. He was even called apostle along with Paul (Acts 14:14) in the broad sense of that word. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:6 Neither from you nor from others [ουτε απ υμων ουτε απ αλλων]
He widens the negation to include those outside of the church circles and changes the preposition from εχ — ex (out of) to απο — apo (from). When we might have been burdensome, as apostles of Christ (δυναμενοι εν βαρει ειναι ως Χριστου αποστολοι — dunamenoi en barei einai hōs Christou apostoloi). Westcott and Hort put this clause in 1 Thessalonians 2:7. Probably a concessive participle, though being able to be in a position of weight (either in matter of finance or of dignity, or a burden on your funds or “men of weight” as Moffatt suggests). Milligan suggests that Paul “plays here on the double sense of the phrase” like the Latin proverb: Honos propter onus. So he adds, including Silas and Timothy, as Christ‘s apostles, as missionaries clearly, whether in the technical sense or not (cf. Acts 14:4, Acts 14:14; 2 Corinthians 8:23; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Romans 16:7; Philemon 2:25; Revelation 2:2). They were entitled to pay as “Christ‘s apostles” (cf. 1 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 11:7.), though they had not asked for it. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:6 When we might have been burdensome, as apostles of Christ [δυναμενοι εν βαρει ειναι ως Χριστου αποστολοι]
Westcott and Hort put this clause in 1 Thessalonians 2:7. Probably a concessive participle, though being able to be in a position of weight (either in matter of finance or of dignity, or a burden on your funds or “men of weight” as Moffatt suggests). Milligan suggests that Paul “plays here on the double sense of the phrase” like the Latin proverb: Honos propter onus. So he adds, including Silas and Timothy, as Christ‘s apostles, as missionaries clearly, whether in the technical sense or not (cf. Acts 14:4, Acts 14:14; 2 Corinthians 8:23; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Romans 16:7; Philemon 2:25; Revelation 2:2). They were entitled to pay as “Christ‘s apostles” (cf. 1 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 11:7.), though they had not asked for it. [source]
2 Timothy 1:3 From my forefathers [ἀπὸ προγόνων]
Πρόγονος , PastoSee on 1 Timothy 5:4. The phrase N.T.oFor the thought, comp. Acts 14:14; Philemon 3:5. He means, in the spirit and with the principles inherited from his fathers. Comp. the sharp distinction between the two periods of Paul's life, Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:14. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 14:14 mean?

Having heard however the apostles Barnabas and Paul having torn the garments of them rushed out into the crowd crying out
Ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ ἀπόστολοι Βαρνάβας καὶ Παῦλος διαρρήξαντες τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν ἐξεπήδησαν εἰς τὸν ὄχλον κράζοντες

Ἀκούσαντες  Having  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἀπόστολοι  apostles 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀπόστολος  
Sense: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.
Βαρνάβας  Barnabas 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Βαρναβᾶς  
Sense: the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus He was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul.
Παῦλος  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
διαρρήξαντες  having  torn 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: διαρήγνυμι 
Sense: to break asunder, burst through, rend asunder.
ἱμάτια  garments 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἱμάτιον  
Sense: a garment (of any sort).
αὐτῶν  of  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐξεπήδησαν  rushed  out 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: εἰσπηδάω 
Sense: to spring in, to rush in impetuously.
εἰς  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ὄχλον  crowd 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὄχλος  
Sense: a crowd.
κράζοντες  crying  out 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: κράζω  
Sense: to croak.