Acts 14:5 (KJV)

What does Acts 14:5 mean?

Acts 14:5 describes a moment when both Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, planned to mistreat and stone Paul and Barnabas. The verse shows a united effort by different groups in the city to violently oppose the apostles’ message.

In this part of the story, Paul and Barnabas are in the city of Iconium, speaking to both Jews and Gentiles about Jesus. The verse highlights how opposition to their message brought together people who were usually divided. The leaders of the city joined with the crowds, showing just how serious and organized the threat against Paul and Barnabas had become.

The Greek behind Acts 14:5

• The word "assault" is from ὁρμή (hormē), which often means a rush or a violent movement. Here, it suggests not just a plan, but an active, forceful attempt to harm Paul and Barnabas.
• The word "despitefully" comes from ὑβρίζω (hybrizō), meaning to treat with violence or insult. This shows that the intent was not just to remove Paul and Barnabas, but to humiliate and harm them.
• "Stone" is from λιθάζω (lithazō), which specifically means to kill by throwing stones—a common form of execution in that time, especially for what was seen as blasphemy.

Why Acts 14:5 matters

• This verse clears up that the opposition to Paul and Barnabas was not just from one group, but a rare alliance of both Jews and Gentiles with their leaders, showing how threatening the apostles’ message was to the whole community.
• The verse emphasizes the seriousness of the danger Paul and Barnabas faced, helping readers understand why they needed to flee in the next verses.
• It connects to the wider passage by showing a pattern in Acts: the gospel message often meets strong resistance, but also brings together unlikely groups—sometimes in opposition, sometimes in belief.