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 13:50KJV
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Acts 13:50 (KJV)

What does Acts 13:50 mean?

Acts 13:50 describes how certain Jewish people in the city persuaded respected women and leading men to oppose Paul and Barnabas, resulting in persecution and forcing them to leave the area. The verse shows a coordinated effort by local influencers to drive the apostles out of their region.

Paul and Barnabas were in Pisidian Antioch, sharing their message in the synagogue and the city. After many people responded positively, some Jewish leaders felt threatened and stirred up influential citizens—specifically, "devout and honourable women" and the city's chief men—to take action against the apostles. This led to organized opposition and their expulsion from the community.

The Greek behind Acts 13:50

  • ἐπήγειραν (epēgeiran, "stirred up"): This word means to incite or provoke. The Greek here suggests an intentional effort to arouse hostility, not just a casual complaint.
  • εὐσχήμων (euskhēmōn, "honourable"): This word refers to people of high social standing or respectability. The verse highlights that those who opposed Paul and Barnabas included not just religious leaders but also prominent citizens.
  • ἐξέβαλον (exebalon, "expelled"): This verb means to drive out or forcefully remove. The Greek emphasizes that Paul and Barnabas were not just asked to leave politely; they were actively driven out.

Why Acts 13:50 matters

  • Acts 13:50 clarifies that opposition to Paul and Barnabas was not limited to religious leaders but involved influential women and civic leaders, showing the broad social impact of their message.
  • The verse highlights how quickly public opinion could be swayed by those in authority, especially when social and religious leaders worked together.
  • This moment marks a turning point in Acts, as Paul and Barnabas begin to focus more on Gentile audiences after facing rejection from some Jewish communities.

Where else these words appear

“raised” Greek G1892 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

“honourable” Greek G2158 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
  • Acts 17:12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

“persecution” Greek G1375 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
  • Mark 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

“devout” Greek G4576 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
  • Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
  • Acts 18:7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.