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Acts 14:18

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 14:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.
Acts 14:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
16who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.
17And yet He left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.
19But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
20But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.
21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,
← Acts 14:17Acts 14:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And with these sayings, etc.] Concerning themselves, and concerning the living God, his creation of all things, and his providential goodness: scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them; so resolute were they upon it, that it was with great difficulty that they persuaded them from it: in four of Beza’s manuscripts, and in some other copies, it is added, “but everyone went to his own house”, etc.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“with these sayings scarce restrained they the people that they had not done sacrifice to them--In spite of this,and Peter's repudiation of all such honor (Act 10:26), how soon idolatrous tendencies began to show themselves in the Christian Church, at length to be systematized and enjoined in the Church of Rome!”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And with these sayings - With these arguments. Scarce restrained they the people - They were so fully satisfied that the gods had appeared, and were so full of zeal to do them honor. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“scarce: Gen 11:6, Gen 19:9; Exo 32:21-23; Jer 44:16, Jer 44:17; Joh 6:15 Acts 14:19”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 14 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification