After leaving Iconium, Paul and Barnabas travel to Lystra (14:8–20). Their ministry in Lystra begins with the healing of a crippled man (14:8–10). In numerous ways, this account recalls the earlier miracle performed by Peter in 3:1–10: both men are crippled “from birth” (14:8; cf. 3:2), and in both accounts the apostle looks directly at the man (14:9; 3:4). After being commanded to stand, both men “jumped” up and “began to walk” (14:10; 3:8). Through this account, the connection between Paul and the original Twelve is reaffirmed. It is perhaps not by accident that it is in their first missionary journey that Luke first calls Paul and Barnabas “apostles” (14:4, 14).

When the crowd sees what has happened, they shout, “The gods have come down to us in human form” (14:11). Barnabas they call…