Then Simeon [asked God to] bless them and said to Jesus' mother Mary, "Look, many Israelites will be caused to fall [i.e., into spiritual ruin] or rise [i.e., to spiritual renewal] because of Him. And [He will be] a 'sign' [for people] to speak against,

When a fully armed strong man guards his own courtyard [i.e., homestead], his possessions are safe.

Do you think that I came to bring [only] peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division instead.

So, a division arose among people in the crowd over Jesus.

Part

And some people believed what Paul said and some refused to believe.

Apostles

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about what they were trying to do [to them], they tore their clothes [i.e., as an expression of frustration] and rushed over to the crowd and shouted,

As these men were ministering to the Lord [i.e., this probably means worshiping] and fasting, the Holy Spirit said [to one of them by way of inspiration]: "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me, [commissioning them] to do the work for which I have called them."

Do we not have the right to take a believing [i.e., a Christian] wife with us [on our preaching tours], just like the rest of the apostles, and the Lord's brothers do [i.e., James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. Mark 6:3], and Cephas [i.e., Peter]?

General references

For from now on there will be a household of five persons divided [against one another], three against two and two against three.

So, a division arose among people in the crowd over Jesus.

The Jews who heard these words became divided again [i.e., over their meaning].

Now the disciples, who had become scattered all over, went everywhere preaching the message [of God].

And some people believed what Paul said and some refused to believe.