Acts 14:18
And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγοντες
sayings
G3004
λέγοντες
sayings
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
κατέπαυσαν
restrained they
G2664
κατέπαυσαν
restrained they
Strong's:
G2664
Word #:
5 of 11
to settle down, i.e., (literally) to colonize, or (figuratively) to (cause to) desist
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλους
the people
G3793
ὄχλους
the people
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
7 of 11
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 11
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Historical Context
The crowd's determination to sacrifice despite protest shows how deeply embedded pagan worship patterns were. Within verses, this same crowd will stone Paul (v. 19)—a shocking reversal demonstrating the fickleness of popular acclaim and the shallowness of enthusiasm-based 'faith.'
Questions for Reflection
- What does the difficulty of stopping false worship teach about human religious impulses?
- How do we distinguish genuine faith from emotional or cultural religious enthusiasm?
Analysis & Commentary
With these sayings scarce restrained they the people (μόλις κατέπαυσαν τοὺς ὄχλους)—The Greek molis (scarce/with difficulty) reveals how narrowly disaster was averted. Even after explaining they were mere men, after appealing to natural revelation, the crowd's pagan devotion nearly overpowered reason. The verb katepausan (restrained) suggests forceful prevention, not gentle persuasion.
This verse exposes idolatry's tenacious grip: seeing a miracle, the Lycaonians preferred their familiar polytheism to the foreign proclamation of the living God. Truth barely overcame momentum toward false worship, foreshadowing the violent reversal about to occur.