Acts 14:3 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Long time therefore— Some think the 2nd verse should be included in a parenthesis, and that the particle therefore, refers to the success which Paul and Barnabas had met with at Iconium, mentioned Acts 14:1 as what induced them to continue preaching there for a long time: while others, who would make no breach in the connection, choose rather that the words Μεν ουν should be rendered for indeed; and supposing the rage of the Jews to have been exasperated by their long stay and preaching there, they would render the beginning of the verse, for indeed they had tarried a long time, &c. But the connection may properly enough be preserved, though we retain the usual sense of the particle, as in our version; if we consider what is here expressed as an account of the great firmness and undaunted zeal with which these faithful ministers pursued their work—that since the Jews were so intent upon opposing them, and laboured to incense the Gentiles too against them, they therefore thought it needful to continue preaching with the greatest boldness, and to make the longer stay there, for the establishment and confirmation of the new converts, and for the vindication of their own character, and of the cause they were engaged in, from the injurious calumnies and aspersions of their neighbours, till they proceeded to such violent methods, that they no longer could remain with any safety there.