Paul's First Missionary Journey - In Lystra and Derbe; Acts 14:8 – 20 Part 3

Church History: The people felt the warmest gratitude for the visit of their supposed gods, and gave expression to their feeling in the most approved method. “Then the priest of the Jupiter that was before the city brought bulls and garlands to the gates, and, with the people, wished to offer sacrifices to them.” The garlands of flowers were designed, according to a well-known custom of the ancients, to deck the forms of the bulls about to be offered. It is not altogether certain whether the "gates" referred to are those of a private court within which Paul and Barnabas may have retired when first greeted as gods, or the gates of the city, of which there may have been two or more in the same part of the wall, and near which the apostles may have remained with a part of the crowd. The latter I regard as the most probable supposition.8
Nothing could have been more unexpected or more painful to the humble missionaries, than the demonstration which took place. When Paul and Barnabas saw what was going on they tore their clothes and ran into the crowd crying, “why are you doing this?” “ we are only men like you”. The habit of tearing one's clothes under the influence of sudden passion, which was something Paul and Barnabas had inherited from their ancestors, and fell into it on this occasion. It appears very singular to the taste of western nations. The earliest historical traces of it are found in the family of Jacob (Genesis 37:29-34), and the example of Job (Job 1:20); and the latest in the instance before us, which is the only one recorded of the apostles. How so childish and destructive a custom could have originated, it is difficult to imagine; but when once introduced, it is easy to see how it might be transmitted by imitation, until the use of more costly garments would put a stop to it with the economical, or restraints of a more enlightened piety would mollify the passions of the religious. It was, certainly, very inconsistent with the calm self-possession inculcated by Christ and the apostles; but we can excuse Barnabas and Paul on this occasion, in consideration of their early habits, which often spring unexpectedly upon men in a moment of sudden excitement.