Acts 14 5

Acts 14:5 kjv

And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

Acts 14:5 nkjv

And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,

Acts 14:5 niv

There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.

Acts 14:5 esv

When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,

Acts 14:5 nlt

Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them.

Acts 14 verses

Acts 14 5 Meaning

Acts 14:5 describes a moment of escalating danger for the apostles Paul and Barnabas in Iconium. It reveals a collective and planned attack against them, orchestrated by both non-Jewish people (Gentiles) and Jewish individuals, including their respective leaders. Their malicious intent was twofold: first, to publicly humiliate and disgrace the apostles, and second, to execute them by stoning.

Acts 14 5 Context

Acts chapter 14 begins with Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, where their preaching in the synagogue led to a large number of both Jews and Gentiles believing. However, unbelieving Jews quickly moved to poison the minds of the Gentiles against the apostles, leading to a long stay and powerful ministry there marked by signs and wonders (Acts 14:1-3). This polarized the city, causing a division into those who supported the apostles and those who sided with the unbelieving Jews (Acts 14:4). Verse 5 details the climax of this growing opposition, revealing a widespread and organized plan to severely harm and kill the apostles. Their escape (Acts 14:6) sets the stage for their further ministry in Lystra and Derbe, where Paul would indeed be stoned and left for dead later in the chapter (Acts 14:19), illustrating the constant dangers faced by early missionaries. Historically, Iconium was a significant Roman city in the province of Galatia (or Lycaonia), inhabited by diverse populations, and local authorities would usually uphold Roman peace, but Jewish leaders often incited violence against Christian missionaries through accusation or by stirring up mobs. Stoning was a common Jewish form of capital punishment, and for Gentiles to join in implies either a deeply incited mob or participation in what was deemed a 'just' religious punishment under Jewish law, sanctioned by influential leaders.

Acts 14 5 Word analysis

• "And" (Greek: kai, καὶ): This conjunction connects the current action directly to the previous events of division in the city, indicating the logical progression of rising opposition.
• "when there was an assault" (Greek: hormē, ὁρμή): This term signifies a strong impulse, a violent rush, or a concerted attack. It implies not just discussion or planning, but a determined and hostile move towards violent action, a mob rising up.
• "both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews" (Greek: ek ethnōn te kai Ioudaiōn): This emphasizes the widespread and unified nature of the opposition. It was not solely Jewish or Gentile hostility, but a combined effort, illustrating how common antagonism to the Gospel can bridge otherwise distinct groups.
• "with their rulers" (Greek: syn tois archousin autōn): This is a critical detail, highlighting that the opposition was not merely a spontaneous mob but involved official or influential leaders. "Rulers" (archon) could refer to city magistrates, officials, or leaders of the Jewish community. This makes the threat more organized, dangerous, and legally sanctioned (or at least encouraged by those in power).
• "to use them despitefully" (Greek: hybrisai, ὑβρίσαι): Derived from hybrizo, meaning 'to insult', 'to outrage', 'to treat with insolence', 'to do violence to', 'to humiliate'. It denotes more than physical harm; it signifies a desire to utterly disgrace, demean, and publicly shame the apostles, robbing them of their dignity and undermining their message.
• "and to stone them" (Greek: kai lithobolēsai, καὶ λιθοβολῆσαι): Stoning was a brutal and common method of execution, especially for religious offenses under Jewish law (e.g., blasphemy, idolatry). It implies the intent to kill. The pairing with "despitefully" suggests a two-part plan: first, humiliation, then death.

• "Assault... of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers": This phrase underlines the broad-based, united, and leadership-backed nature of the hostility. It wasn't a spontaneous eruption from one faction but a coalition across different community segments, indicating the depth of rejection to the Christian message in Iconium. This united front foreshadows how widespread opposition to the Gospel could become.
• "To use them despitefully, and to stone them": This phrase reveals the full scope of the malicious intent. "Despitefully" indicates a desire to humiliate and destroy their reputation and authority, while "to stone them" aims for their physical elimination. The goal was total obliteration – both their honor and their lives. This pattern of suffering is frequently seen by Jesus and His apostles for the sake of the Gospel.

Acts 14 5 Bonus section

• The fact that the apostles "became aware of it" (Acts 14:6) implies either an intelligence network among their new converts, a divine revelation or warning, or careful observation of public sentiment that made the coordinated "assault" evident before it was enacted. This demonstrates God's providential care in preserving His messengers for further service.
• This verse illustrates a recurring theme in Acts: initial success and spiritual signs, followed by escalating persecution. The opposition here in Iconium sets the stage for even more severe persecution Paul experiences later in the chapter in Lystra (Acts 14:19), where he is actually stoned and left for dead. This serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices and dangers inherent in early Christian ministry.
• The unity of Jews and Gentiles in opposition, under their rulers, creates a mirror image of the Gospel's power to unite Jews and Gentiles in Christ. It underscores how both unbelieving factions could align against the truth, similar to how Herod and Pilate united against Jesus.

Acts 14 5 Commentary

Acts 14:5 encapsulates the severe peril Paul and Barnabas faced in Iconium due to the powerful impact of their evangelistic work. The successful propagation of the Gospel stirred strong emotions, culminating in an organized and collective "assault." The involvement of "rulers" from both Jewish and Gentile communities signifies an escalation beyond popular discontent to official, sanctioning animosity. This was not a random street disturbance but a planned attempt at state- or community-approved violence. The dual purpose of their persecutors—to "use them despitefully" and "to stone them"—highlights the depth of hatred, seeking both the public disgrace and the actual death of the apostles. This immediate, grave threat underscores the reality of what it meant to preach Christ's name in hostile territories, forcing the apostles to rely on discernment and God's providence for their timely escape to continue their ministry.