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 14:19KJVWhat does Acts 14:19 mean?
Acts 14:19 describes how some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to the city where Paul was preaching, convinced the local people to turn against him, and then had Paul stoned and dragged out of the city, thinking he was dead. This verse shows a sudden and violent opposition to Paul, ending with his apparent death outside the city.
The setting is in the middle of Paul’s first missionary journey, as told by Luke in the book of Acts. Paul and Barnabas had been preaching in several cities, and some of their opponents followed them from Antioch and Iconium to stir up trouble. The verse highlights how quickly public opinion can shift and how dangerous Paul’s mission was, as he faced not just disagreement but life-threatening violence.
The Greek behind Acts 14:19
- πείθω (peithō, "persuaded"): This word means to convince or win over. The Greek here suggests that the crowd was not originally hostile but was swayed by the arguments of Paul’s opponents, showing how easily people can be influenced.
- λιθάζω (lithazō, "stoned"): This word means to kill or attempt to kill someone by throwing stones. Stoning was a traditional Jewish method of execution for blasphemy, so this action shows the seriousness of the accusation against Paul.
- ἐκβάλλω (ekballō, "drew" or "dragged"): The Greek word used here carries the sense of forcefully throwing or dragging someone out. This emphasizes the violence and rejection Paul experienced, as he was not just removed but cast out of the city.
Why Acts 14:19 matters
- Acts 14:19 clears up the idea that Paul’s troubles were only from outsiders; here, opposition comes from people who traveled specifically to stop him, showing the intensity of resistance to his message.
- The verse connects to the wider passage by marking a turning point: Paul goes from being welcomed to nearly killed, highlighting the risks early Christians faced.
- This verse also sets up the dramatic recovery and persistence of Paul, which becomes a key theme in the following verses and throughout his ministry.