Acts 14 19

Acts 14:19 kjv

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

Acts 14:19 nkjv

Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

Acts 14:19 niv

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.

Acts 14:19 esv

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

Acts 14:19 nlt

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.

Acts 14 verses

Acts 14 19 Meaning

Acts 14:19 describes a dramatic shift in public sentiment in Lystra, demonstrating the volatile nature of crowds and the relentless opposition faced by the Apostle Paul. Having narrowly escaped deification just moments before, Paul is attacked by agitated Jewish adversaries who travelled from other cities (Antioch and Iconium). They succeed in turning the local populace against him, resulting in Paul being stoned and left for dead outside the city walls. This incident highlights the intense persecution endured by early apostles, God's preserving power in the midst of extreme danger, and the cunning tactics employed by opponents of the gospel.

Acts 14 19 Context

Acts chapter 14 describes Paul and Barnabas's continued missionary efforts following their expulsion from Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:50). In Iconium, they proclaimed the gospel with signs and wonders, but faced a similar pattern of division and a stoning attempt (Acts 14:1-6). They then fled to Lystra, a Roman colony in Lycaonia, where Paul healed a man lame from birth. This miracle prompted the local pagan populace, witnessing the powerful act, to mistake Paul and Barnabas for Greek gods, Zeus and Hermes, and attempt to offer sacrifices to them (Acts 14:7-13). Paul vehemently rejected this, correcting their theology and pointing them to the living God (Acts 14:14-18). Verse 19 directly follows this event, demonstrating the stark contrast in Lystran reception: from attempted worship to attempted murder, due to external agitation. This incident sets the stage for Paul's subsequent journey to Derbe and his eventual return journey to strengthen the churches, highlighting the resilient nature of early Christian ministry despite severe persecution.

Acts 14 19 Word analysis

• But (alla, ἀλλὰ): This conjunction signifies a sharp contrast or turning point, introducing a negative and surprising development immediately after the positive reception in Lystra described in previous verses.
• Jews (Ioudaioi, Ἰουδαῖοι): Refers specifically to ethnic Jews, many of whom were resistant to Paul's gospel, particularly his outreach to Gentiles. In Acts, this group often acts as primary antagonists against the Christian message, especially those associated with synagogue leadership.
• came from Antioch and Iconium: This detail is significant. These Jews travelled considerable distances (Antioch was approx. 90-100 miles, Iconium approx. 20-30 miles from Lystra) specifically to pursue Paul. This indicates a coordinated, determined, and persistent effort to thwart his ministry, rather than a spontaneous local objection. It underscores their deep-seated animosity and perhaps, jealousy.
• and having persuaded (kai peisantes, καὶ πείσαντες, from peithō - to persuade, convince): This participle emphasizes active and effective manipulation. It suggests that the hostile Jews did not merely state their case, but skillfully swayed public opinion. The same crowds that moments before hailed Paul as a god were now convinced to partake in an attempt on his life. This highlights the power of rhetorical influence over an easily swayed multitude.
• the crowds (tous ochlous, τοὺς ὄχλους): Refers to the very local populace of Lystra. This is the same ochlous who were just prevented by Paul and Barnabas from offering sacrifices to them as gods (Acts 14:18). Their sudden reversal of opinion illustrates extreme human fickleness and susceptibility to outside agitation.
• they stoned Paul (elithobolēsan Paulon, ἐλιθοβόλησαν Παῦλον): Stoning was a severe form of execution, typically reserved under Mosaic Law for blasphemy or idolatry (Lev 24:16; Deut 13:10). This indicates the Jews’ condemnation of Paul’s message as sacrilege, implying they viewed him as a heretic or an idolater. This was a deliberate attempt to murder him.
• and dragged him out of the city (syrantes exō tēs poleōs, σύραντες ἔξω τῆς πόλεως): This act added insult to injury and served a practical purpose: it ensured Paul was indeed out of the city and also fulfilled a symbolic function. People executed by stoning were often cast out of the city before or after their death as a sign of their utter rejection and impurity, as seen with Stephen (Acts 7:58).
• supposing him to be dead (nomizontes auton tethnanai, νομίζοντες αὐτὸν τεθνάναι): This clause explicitly states the intention and perception of the attackers. They fully believed Paul was deceased from the stoning, demonstrating the brutality of the attack and the sheer number of stones thrown. This perception highlights the miraculous nature of his subsequent recovery, revealed in the next verse (Acts 14:20).

Acts 14 19 Bonus section

• Paul's physical scars (Gal 6:17) were likely borne, in part, from this severe stoning. These marks served as physical proof of his authentic apostolic suffering for Christ.
• This incident, where Paul was seemingly "resurrected" or remarkably healed after being left for dead, may have served as a powerful testimony to the local believers, confirming the miraculous power of the God Paul proclaimed.
• The immediate resumption of ministry (travelling to Derbe the very next day, Acts 14:20) showcases Paul's incredible resilience, spiritual fortitude, and singular focus on fulfilling his divine calling, rather than succumbing to fear or despair.
• The episode highlights a recurring pattern in Paul's journeys: initial welcome or receptivity, followed by organized Jewish opposition, then turning of the Gentiles, leading to persecution.
• The stoning marks one of the most severe personal attacks Paul endured documented in the New Testament before his eventual martyrdom, underlining the dangerous realities of establishing the early church.

Acts 14 19 Commentary

Acts 14:19 succinctly encapsulates the dramatic pendulum swing that characterized early apostolic ministry. Paul, who moments prior averted worship from the superstitious Lystran crowd, now endures their murderous fury, incited by persistent Jewish antagonists. This instant shift from 'deity' to 'demon' (in their eyes) underscores the volatile and unreliable nature of human popular opinion. The deliberate travel of the opposing Jews from Antioch and Iconium highlights their calculated and unwavering determination to stop the spread of the Gospel, portraying a spiritual warfare that transcended local disputes. Paul's stoning was not a mere assault, but a Jewish form of execution, indicating their absolute rejection and condemnation of his message as blasphemous. Dragging his presumed corpse out of the city served as a public spectacle of their victory and rejection. Paul’s survival, left for dead outside the city walls, reveals God's profound intervention, demonstrating that the apostles' lives were ultimately preserved by divine will for the sake of His kingdom, proving again that "neither death nor life" can separate one from God's plan (Rom 8:38-39). This ordeal further sanctified Paul as a true servant of Christ, whose path included sharing in Christ's suffering, and strengthened his resolve to preach the very gospel for which he was nearly killed.