Friends of the apostles, though unbelievers, warned them of the malicious designs of the Jews and urged them not to expose themselves needlessly to the fury of the mob, but to escape for their lives. Paul and Barnabas accordingly departed in secret from Iconium, leaving the believers to carry on the work alone for a time. But they by no means took final leave; they purposed to return after the excitement had abated, and complete the work begun.

Der var venner af apostlene, som, skønt de ikke troede, advarede dem om jødernes onde planer og tryglede dem om ikke unødvendigt at udsætte sig for pøbelens raseri, men flygte og redde deres liv. Derfor forlod Paulus og Barnabas hemmeligt Ikonium og overlod det for en tid til de troende at videreføre arbejdet. Men det var absolut ingen endelig afsked! det var deres hensigt at vende tilbage, når ophidselsen havde lagt sig, og genoptage deres arbejde.