SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:4
Y el vulgo de la ciudad estaba dividido; y unos eran con los judíos, y otros con los apóstoles.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 14:4
Verse 4. The multitude of the city was divided] The Jews treated the apostles as false teachers, and their miracles as impositions; and many of the people held with them: while the others, who had not hardened their hearts against the truth, felt the force of it; and, being without prejudice, could easily discern the miracles to be the work of God, and therefore held with the apostles.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. But the multitude of the city was divided , etc.] In their sentiments, about the apostles, their doctrines, and miracles; some approving them, others condemning their doctrines as false, and their miracles as delusions: and part held with the Jews ; that did not believe, but rejected the apostles, despised their doctrines, and disparaged their miracles: and part with the apostles ; these were the Jews and Greeks, that believed; which divisions in families, towns, and cities, though the common consequence of the preaching of the Gospel, are not owing to any fault in that, but to the depravity and corruption of human nature; and are what our Lord declared was, and foretold would be the case, ( Luke 12:51).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The apostles spake so plainly, with such evidence and proof of the Spirit, and with such power; so warmly, and with such concern for the souls of men; that those who heard them could not but say, God was with them of a truth. Yet the success was not to be reckoned to the manne of their preaching, but to the Spirit of God who used that means Perseverance in doing good, amidst dangers and hardships, is a blesse evidence of grace. Wherever God's servants are driven, they should see to declare the truth. When they went on in Christ's name and strength he failed not to give testimony to the word of his grace. He ha assured us it is the word of God, and that we may venture our soul upon it. The Gentiles and Jews were at enmity with one another, ye united against Christians. If the church's enemies join to destroy it shall not its friends unite for its preservation? God has a shelter for his people in a storm; he is, and will be their Hiding-place. In time of persecution, believers may see cause to quit a spot, though they d not quit their Master's work.
Greek Textus Receptus
εσχισθη 4977 5681 V-API-3S δε 1161 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN πληθος 4128 N-NSN της 3588 T-GSF πολεως 4172 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ οι 3588 T-NPM μεν 3303 PRT ησαν 2258 5713 V-IXI-3P συν 4862 PREP τοις 3588 T-DPM ιουδαιοις 2453 A-DPM οι 3588 T-NPM δε 1161 CONJ συν 4862 PREP τοις 3588 T-DPM αποστολοις 652 N-DPM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:4 {But the multitude of the city was divided} (escisqe de to pleqos tes polews). First aorist passive indicative of scizw, old verb to split, to make a schism or factions as Sadducees and Pharisees (#23:7). this division was within the Gentile populace. Part held (hoi men esan), literally "some were with the Jews" (sun tois ioudaiois), part with the apostles (hoi de sun tois apostolois). Common demonstrative of contrast (hoi men, hoi de, Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 694). The Jewish leaders made some impression on the Gentiles as at Antioch in Pisidia and later at Thessalonica (#17:4f.). this is the first time in the Acts that Paul and Barnabas are termed "apostles" (see also verse #14). Elsewhere in the Acts the word is restricted to the twelve. Certainly Luke does not here employ it in that technical sense. To have followed Jesus in his ministry and to have seen the Risen Christ was essential to the technical use (#1:22f.). Whether Barnabas had seen the Risen Christ we do not know, but certainly Paul had (#1Co 9:1f.; 15:8). Paul claimed to be an apostle on a par with the twelve (#Ga 1:1,16-18). The word originally means simply one sent (#Joh 13:16) like messengers of the churches with the collection (#2Co 8:23). The Jews used it of those sent from Jerusalem to collect the temple tribute. Paul applies the word to James the Lord's brother (#Ga 1:19), to Epaphroditus (#Php 2:25) as the messenger of the church in Philippi, to Silvanus and Timothy (#1Th 2:6; Ac 18:5), apparently to Apollos (#1Co 4:9), and to Andronicus and Junias (#Ro 16:6f.). He even calls the Judaizers "false apostles" (#2Co 11:13).
