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Micah 7:6
For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemiesare the men of his own house.

Matthew 10:34-36
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword…

Luke 2:34
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, thischild is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

part.

Acts 28:24
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

apostles.

Acts 14:14
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heardof, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

Acts 13:2
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, andas the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Some sided with the Jews,
The Jews in this context likely refer to the Jewish leaders and those who were resistant to the message of Jesus as the Messiah. Historically, the Jewish community in the Diaspora often held significant influence in cities like Iconium. Their opposition to Paul and Barnabas is consistent with other accounts in Acts, where Jewish leaders frequently opposed the apostles' teachings, fearing the loss of their religious authority and the disruption of traditional Jewish beliefs. This opposition is seen in other parts of Acts, such as in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5) and Corinth (Acts 18:6).

and others with the apostles.
The term "apostles" here refers to Paul and Barnabas, who were sent out by the Holy Spirit and the church in Antioch to spread the gospel (Acts 13:2-3). Those who sided with the apostles were likely Gentiles and some Jews who were open to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. This division indicates the growing acceptance of the gospel among Gentiles, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). The support for the apostles also underscores the power of the Holy Spirit in drawing people to the truth of the gospel, as seen throughout the book of Acts.

Acts 14:4 opens with, “The people of the city were divided.” Division is a frequent outcome whenever God’s truth confronts human hearts.

• In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas had spoken “so effectively that a great number believed” (Acts 14:1), yet resistance quickly followed.

• Jesus foretold such reactions: “Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division” (Luke 12:51).

• Similar splits appear throughout John’s Gospel—“So a division occurred among the people because of Jesus” (John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19).

• The book of Acts repeats the pattern: Thessalonica (Acts 17:4), Ephesus (Acts 19:9), and Rome (Acts 28:24). Whenever the gospel is proclaimed, neutrality evaporates; people must decide for or against Christ (Matthew 12:30).

Opposition in Iconium was led by unbelieving Jews (Acts 14:2).

• Jealousy stirred many to resist the message, as in Pisidian Antioch: “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and contradicted what Paul was saying” (Acts 13:45).

• Paul later reminded the Thessalonians of “those Jews who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets…hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).

• This siding reveals the hardness of heart Isaiah described: “You will be ever hearing but never understanding” (Isaiah 6:9-10; echoed inActs 28:26-27).

• Yet God’s sovereignty remains: even rejection serves to push the gospel outward (Romans 11:11).

While some resisted, many embraced the truth and stood with Paul and Barnabas.

• In the previous city, “All who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48); the same gracious calling was at work in Iconium.

• Luke likens the gospel’s aroma to life for some, death for others (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).

• Bereans “received the message with great eagerness” and “many believed” (Acts 17:11-12); Crispus and his household believed in Corinth (Acts 18:8).

• Those who side with the apostles are in fact siding with Christ Himself: “Whoever listens to you listens to Me” (Luke 10:16).

• Their faith brings new identity—“To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

Acts 14:4 shows that the gospel inevitably divides. In Iconium some clung to tradition and unbelief, while others embraced the apostles and the Savior they proclaimed. Scripture presents this split as normal whenever truth meets fallen hearts. For every resistant crowd there is also a believing remnant, demonstrating both human responsibility and God’s sovereign grace.