But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

And the multitude of the city was divided; and some of them indeed held with the Jews, but some with the apostles.

And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews and some with the apostles.

At length the people of the city split into parties, some siding with the Jews and some with the Apostles.

But there was a division among the people of the town; some were on the side of the Jews and some on the side of the Apostles.

But the population of the city was divided. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

Then the multitude of the city was divided. And certainly, some were with the Jews, yet truly others were with the Apostles.

But the townspeople were divided, some siding with the Jews, some with the apostles;

The multitude was divided. The most troublesome part of the tragedy [1] followeth now, for the city is divided into two parts; and at length Paul and Barnabas (being enforced by the uproar of the people) depart unto another place. If it be demanded what was the original of the discord, assuredly it flowed from the gospel, to which, notwithstanding, there is nothing more contrary than to cause discord; but the forwardness of men causeth that the gospel, which ought to be the bond of unity, is (so soon as it cometh abroad) the occasion of tumults. Wherefore, so soon as any schism ariseth, before we condemn those who seem to be the authors, it behoveth us wisely to consider who ought to bear the blame. We hear here that one city was divided, [2] whereby some were brought unto Christ. The Spirit of God pronounceth this to the praise, and not the shame, of Paul and Barnabas. The same rule must we observe at this day, lest the gospel be burdened with false envy, if it bring not men together [3] unto God, but the wicked rage against it. It is assuredly a miserable matter to see division among men. But as the unity is accursed which doth separate us all from God, so it were better that a few should depart an hundred times from all the whole world, and, in the mean season, come in favor again with God, than that disagreeing with him continually, they should have peace with the world. [4]

Footnotes

1 - "Catastrophe," the catastrophe.

2 - "Schismate," by a schism.

3 - "Omnes pariter," all alike.

4 - "Mundi pac."

Was divided - Into parties. Greek: there was a schism - Ἐσχίσθη Eschisthē.
And part held with the Jews - Held to the doctrines of the Jews, in opposition to the apostles. A revival of religion often produces excitement by the bad passions of opposers. The enemies of the truth form parties, and organize opposition. It is no uncommon thing even now for such parties to be formed; but the fault is not in Christianity. It lies with those who form a party against religion, and who confederate themselves, as was done here, to oppose it.

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.

But the multitude of the city was divided,.... 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.