The account of the Jews of Iconium and their unbelief is primarily found in the New Testament book of Acts. Iconium, a city in the region of Lycaonia, was a significant location during the Apostle Paul's first missionary journey. The events in Iconium are recorded in Acts 14:1-7, where Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in the Jewish synagogue, as was their custom.

Context and Background

Iconium was a city with a diverse population, including Jews and Gentiles. The Jewish community in Iconium, like many others in the Diaspora, held significant influence and maintained their religious traditions. The synagogue served as a central place for worship and teaching, and it was here that Paul and Barnabas began their ministry in the city.

The Preaching of Paul and Barnabas

Acts 14:1 states, "At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed." The initial response to their message was positive, with many Jews and Greeks accepting the gospel. This demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit working through the apostles, as well as the openness of some in the Jewish community to the message of Jesus Christ.

The Unbelief and Opposition

Despite the initial success, unbelief soon arose among the Jews of Iconium. Acts 14:2 records, "But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers." This opposition was not merely a passive rejection but an active campaign to undermine the apostles' work. The unbelieving Jews sought to incite the Gentiles, creating division and hostility against Paul and Barnabas.

The unbelief of the Jews in Iconium can be seen as part of a broader pattern of resistance to the gospel message, which was often met with hostility from those who felt threatened by the new teachings. This resistance was rooted in a refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah and a desire to maintain traditional Jewish beliefs and practices.

The Response of Paul and Barnabas

Despite the opposition, Paul and Barnabas remained in Iconium for a considerable time, "speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders" (Acts 14:3). Their perseverance in the face of unbelief highlights their commitment to the mission and their reliance on God's power to validate their message.

The division in the city eventually led to a plot against the apostles. Acts 14:5-6 describes how "the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, set out to mistreat and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region." This escape was not an act of cowardice but a strategic decision to preserve their lives and continue their mission elsewhere.

Theological Implications

The unbelief of the Jews in Iconium serves as a reminder of the spiritual blindness that can afflict even those with a rich religious heritage. It underscores the necessity of faith and the openness of heart required to accept the gospel. The account also illustrates the spiritual warfare that accompanies the spread of the gospel, as well as the perseverance needed by those who proclaim it.

The events in Iconium reflect the broader theme of Jewish unbelief found throughout the New Testament, where the message of Christ often met resistance from those who were unable or unwilling to see Him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. This unbelief, however, did not thwart God's plan, as the gospel continued to spread and bear fruit among both Jews and Gentiles.Acts 14:2
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brothers.
Nave's Topical Index

Jewish Rejecters and Gentile Receivers
... 'And it came to pass in Iconium, that they ... door swung behind them, it shut hope out
and unbelief in ... Gentile hearers set in contrast with the temper of the Jews. ...
/.../jewish rejecters and gentile receivers.htm

Acts xvii. 1, 2, 3
... says, "Agitating the multitude." (b) Just what was done at Iconium"that they ... for
the sake of the Gentiles also, to whom the unbelief of the Jews might be ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxvii acts xvii 1.htm

The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ...
... it was not until the Jews had exhibited a spirit of unbelief, that they ... and expelled
them out of their coasts;" [77:4] at Iconium, the Jews again "stirred ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the ordination of.htm

The Extension of the Church Throughout the World
... in the account given {32} us of the labours of the Apostles here and at Iconium,
we are ... Paul turns from the Jews.] The obstinate unbelief and blasphemous ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter iii the extension of.htm

An Exposition of the Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.
... rising and slanderous information of the Jews against Stephen ... when they had preached
Christ in Iconium, and many ... Aquila and Priscilla, and the unbelief of the ...
/.../pamphilus/the writings of pamphilus/an exposition of the chapters.htm

The Acts of the Apostles
... the Cilician gates to Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Troas ... 35; and his defenses before
the Jews on the ... with the unreasonable demand, born of unbelief and aversion ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the acts of the apostles.htm

The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... brethren which were at Lystra and Iconium: him would ... one of those oratories, which
the Jews erected for ... and he maintains it by ignorance, unbelief, the love of ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.htm

Dialogue i. --The Immutable.
... The Jews were blind on account of their unbelief, and therefore ... when He says to the
murderous Jews, Destroy this ... Testimony of Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium. ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue i the immutable.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... And there the Lord opened the senses of my unbelief, that I might remember my sin,
and that I might be converted with my whole heart to my Lord God, who looked ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Why does unbelief appear to be increasing in the world today? | GotQuestions.org

Did Christ die for all sin except for the sin of unbelief? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of “I believe; help my unbelief” in Mark 9:24? | GotQuestions.org

Unbelief: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus