Acts 13 50

Acts 13:50 kjv

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

Acts 13:50 nkjv

But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

Acts 13:50 niv

But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

Acts 13:50 esv

But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.

Acts 13:50 nlt

Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 50 Meaning

Acts 13:50 describes the turning point in Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey in Antioch of Pisidia. After many Gentiles responded positively to the Gospel, the Jewish leaders, fueled by envy and rejection of the message, actively persuaded and manipulated influential Gentiles within the city, specifically devout women of high social standing and prominent men. Their intent was to generate intense opposition and instigate an official "persecution" against Paul and Barnabas, which culminated in their forceful expulsion from the entire region. This verse highlights the profound antagonism the Gospel provoked and the strategic use of social and political influence by its adversaries.

Acts 13 50 Context

Acts 13 begins with Paul and Barnabas being commissioned by the Holy Spirit for their first missionary journey from Antioch in Syria. They travel to Cyprus, preaching the Gospel and encountering both success and opposition. Upon arriving at Antioch of Pisidia (modern-day Yalvaç, Turkey), they enter the synagogue on the Sabbath, as was their custom. Paul delivers a powerful sermon, recounting Israel's history, the coming of the Messiah, and the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 13:16-41). This message initially receives a highly positive reception, especially from the Gentiles present, who request to hear more the following Sabbath (Acts 13:42-43). The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathers to hear the word of God. This widespread Gentile response, however, deeply angers and fills the Jews with jealousy (Acts 13:44-45), leading to their outright contradiction and blasphemy against Paul's message (Acts 13:45). Paul and Barnabas then declare their decision to turn their focus primarily to the Gentiles, as God commanded (Acts 13:46-49). Acts 13:50 is the immediate result of this rejection by the Jews and the subsequent turning to the Gentiles. The verse marks the escalation of Jewish antagonism from verbal opposition to active instigation of persecution, resulting in the expulsion of the apostles. This forced expulsion demonstrates the spiritual warfare inherent in spreading the Gospel, where hostile forces leverage social structures and prominent figures to resist divine truth.

Acts 13 50 Word analysis

• But: δέ (de) - A connective particle signifying contrast or transition. Here, it indicates a strong shift from the positive reception among many Gentiles to the sharp, negative reaction from the Jews.
• the Jews: οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι (hoi Ioudaioi) - In this context, it refers primarily to the Jewish religious leaders and those within the synagogue who actively opposed the message of Christ. It doesn't imply all Jews, but the predominant segment hostile to the apostles. They acted as representatives of their community's official rejection.
• incited: παρεκίνησαν (parekinēsan) - This verb means to "stir up," "urge on," "excite," or "provoke." It signifies a deliberate and active manipulation, a forceful instigation rather than passive dissent. It implies persuasion and coercion, likely employing rhetoric or influence over vulnerable or sympathetic parties.
• the devout women: τὰς σεβομένας γυναῖκας (tas sebomenas gynaikas) - These were Gentile women who were "God-fearers," drawn to Judaism's monotheism and ethical principles, attending synagogue services, but not necessarily fully converted (circumcised proselytes). Their piety (often seen as a moral uprightness in Roman society) and attraction to the "ancestral faith" made them susceptible to the Jewish leaders' influence and likely gave them social credibility within the broader community.
• of high standing: τὰς εὐσχήμονας (tas euschemonas) - Implies social prominence, respectability, or nobility. These women likely belonged to wealthy or influential families in Antioch. Their social status would lend significant weight to any action or sentiment they supported, making them powerful agents of opposition if swayed.
• and the leading men: καὶ τοὺς πρώτους (kai tous prōtous) - These were the chief or foremost men of the city. This typically refers to local magistrates, civic officials, or prominent citizens with political or social authority. Their involvement meant that the opposition was not merely a private religious dispute but escalated into a matter of public policy and order.
• of the city: τῆς πόλεως (tēs poleōs) - Specifies that these influential individuals were integral members of the Antiochian civic power structure, ensuring that their actions would have official repercussions.
• and stirred up persecution: καὶ ἐπαγωγὴν ἐποίησαν (kai epagōgēn epoiēsan) - Literally "they brought upon them an instigation" or "made an attack." This denotes active and organized hostility designed to bring about legal or social disadvantage, expulsion, or harm. It signifies that the opposition moved from mere words to concrete, actionable measures, inciting public or official hostility.
• against Paul and Barnabas: ἐπὶ Παῦλον καὶ Βαρνάβαν (epi Paulon kai Barnaban) - Clearly identifies the targets of this orchestrated hostility, highlighting the personal nature of the rejection.
• and drove them out: καὶ ἐξέβαλον (kai exebalon) - A strong verb meaning "to cast out," "throw out," or "expel by force." This was not a polite request but a forceful, likely officially sanctioned, removal. It suggests an expulsion from the territory or region, not just from the city gates.
• of their district: ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν (apo tōn horiōn autōn) - Refers to the geographical boundaries or territory of Pisidian Antioch. The expulsion was comprehensive, forcing the apostles to leave the entire area. This was a direct result of the collaboration between the Jewish leaders and the local Gentile elite.

Acts 13 50 Bonus section

• The fact that the Jewish leaders used Gentile figures to persecute Jewish apostles (Paul and Barnabas) underscores a spiritual irony: those who were most familiar with God's covenant rejected His Messiah, while those outside were often more receptive, yet could also be turned into unwitting tools of rejection.
• This verse reveals a typical pattern of opposition to the gospel throughout history: often, those who benefit from the status quo (religious, social, economic leaders) will oppose movements that challenge their authority or understanding, even to the point of coercing others into their agenda.
• The incident perfectly sets up the next verse, Acts 13:51, where Paul and Barnabas symbolically "shake off the dust from their feet" as a testament against the rejecters, fulfilling Jesus's instruction (Mt 10:14) and demonstrating their unwavering commitment to continue their mission.

Acts 13 50 Commentary

Acts 13:50 provides a vivid illustration of the early pattern of Gospel dissemination: initial receptivity followed by fierce opposition, particularly from established religious authorities. The Jewish leaders in Antioch, driven by jealousy and a rejection of God's wider plan for the Gentiles, masterfully leveraged local power dynamics. By incitement, they transformed respected "devout women" (Gentile God-fearers with social standing) and influential "leading men" into instruments of persecution. This demonstrates how worldly influence and perceived piety can be manipulated against the truth. The resulting "persecution" was not accidental but a deliberate act of hostile instigation, leading to the forceful "expulsion" of Paul and Barnabas from the entire region. This act of rejection, though humanly intended for harm, served divine purposes, propelling the apostles further into their mission field, as prophesied by Jesus Himself, to proclaim the Gospel elsewhere. The passage underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the inevitable friction that arises when God's transformative message confronts hardened hearts and vested interests. It serves as a reminder that following Christ often entails facing opposition from unexpected quarters, yet God's purposes will ultimately prevail.