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 14:19KJV
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Acts 14:19 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“drew” Greek G4951 · used in 5 verses

  • John 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship;(for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
  • Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
  • Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

“Iconium” Greek G2430 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
  • Acts 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
  • Acts 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

“stoned” Greek G3034 · used in 8 verses

  • John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
  • John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
  • Acts 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

“thither” Greek G1904 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
  • Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
  • Acts 13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;