The crowd's sudden shift from wanting to worship Paul to violently stoning him highlights how easily people can be swayed by manipulative leaders and fall prey to fear, transforming adoration into brutal rage. This abrupt change underscores the volatile nature of public opinion, especially when fueled by external, hostile influences who twist truth.
But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments after the people of Lystra, astonished by a miracle, tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, hostile Jews arrived from other cities. These outsiders stirred up the crowd, turning their adoration into violent rage, leading them to stone Paul and drag him out of the city, believing him dead. This sudden, dramatic shift highlights the fickle nature of crowds, easily swayed from worship to murderous intent.
Just moments before, the people of Lystra wanted to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods. Now, they're stoning Paul to death. How does this happen?
The crowd's reaction in Lystra shows us how quickly public opinion can shift, especially when stirred by strong emotions and manipulation.
A Dramatic Flip
In Acts 14, the same people who were ready to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:18) quickly turned and stoned Paul.
This isn't just random mood swings. It highlights how easily crowds can be swayed by persuasive voices, particularly those who exploit fear or prejudice.
The 'Why'
"Certain Jews" from Antioch and Iconium arrived and stirred up the crowd. They likely painted Paul and Barnabas as dangerous deceives, not divine messengers. This played on the people's superstitions, turning their awe into anger.
This reminds us that even when truth is presented, influential voices can twist perception and incite harmful actions.
Why were these specific individuals so determined to stop Paul's ministry, even traveling such a distance?
This event reveals the deep-seated resistance Paul faced from some Jewish leaders and followers who rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
A Calculated Campaign
The Jews from Antioch and Iconium weren't random troublemakers. They were likely acting with a specific agenda: to discredit the apostles and halt the spread of the gospel, especially its acceptance by Gentiles.
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Their actions show a deliberate effort to undermine the work of God by stirring up opposition and violence. They twisted the message and manipulated the crowds to achieve their goal.
A Pattern of Persecution
This wasn't an isolated incident. Paul recounts being stoned, beaten, and facing numerous dangers from those who opposed him, often specifically mentioning opposition from his own people (2 Corinthians 11:24-26). This shows a consistent pattern of persecution driven by a rejection of his apostolic authority and message.
Paul is stoned and left for dead. What does this brutal experience reveal about the path of faith and ministry?
This violent episode underscores that following Christ and proclaiming His message often involves intense suffering and rejection.
The Cost of the Gospel
The stoning of Paul wasn't just a random act of violence; it was a direct consequence of his bold preaching and the challenging message he delivered. The very people who had moments before revered him were now trying to kill him.
This experience profoundly impacted Paul. He later refers to this very incident, highlighting the severe physical cost of his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:25). It's a stark reminder that spreading the gospel isn't always met with acceptance, but can lead to persecution.
A Divine Purpose in Suffering
Despite the near-fatal attack, Paul and Barnabas did not abandon their mission. In fact, the very next verses show them returning to strengthen the disciples and appoint elders (Acts 14:21-23). Later, Paul teaches that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). This suffering, while brutal, was part of God's plan for establishing His kingdom and refining His servants.
Understand the original words
peisantes · Greek Verb
To convince or win over through argument or influence; often used in the New Testament to describe the reception of the Gospel message or the spreading of anti-Christian sentiment.
elithasantes · Greek Verb
A method of execution or mob violence involving hurling stones at a person; it was the prescribed penalty for blasphemy under Mosaic Law and was used against early Christians for their witness.
mathētai · Greek Noun
A learner or follower of Jesus; one who identifies with His teachings and lifestyle, characterized by adherence to His commands and community with other believers.
This event highlights the dramatic shift in public opinion that Paul and Barnabas faced, moving from near-deification to violent persecution orchestrated by opposing Jewish factions and fueled by a volatile populace.
c. AD 47
Paul and Barnabas reach Lystra
During their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas preach the Gospel in Lystra, where they heal a man who had been lame from birth. The crowd, awestruck, initially believes them to be gods.
c. AD 47
Crowd turns against Paul and Barnabas
Jewish leaders from Antioch and Iconium arrive, stirring up the Lystran crowd against the apostles. They incite the people to reject Paul and Barnabas' message, falsely accusing them.
c. AD 47— this verse
Paul is stoned at Lystra
Following the instigation of the visiting Jews, the mob attacks Paul. They stone him and drag him out of the city, leaving him for dead. This event is later referenced by Paul himself.
c. AD 47
Paul recovers and leaves Lystra
After the disciples gather around him, Paul miraculously gets up and returns into the city. The next day, he and Barnabas depart for Derbe.
c. AD 48
Return to Antioch
Paul and Barnabas complete their missionary journey, returning to Antioch in Syria. They report all that God has done and the opening of the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Paul himself alludes to this very event, listing 'stoning' as one of the severe sufferings he endured for the sake of the Gospel.
Matthew 27:20-23This passage mirrors the fickle crowds in Lystra, showing how quickly a multitude can be swayed from acclaim ('Hosanna!') to violence ('Crucify Him!').
Acts 7:58-60This depicts the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, providing a parallel for the brutal mob violence Paul himself experienced and witnessed.
John 10:31-33The reaction of the Jewish leaders to Jesus' claims of divinity parallels the Lystrians' shift from worship to violence when they were persuaded Paul was not divine but blasphemous.
Acts 14:8-10This immediately preceding passage shows Paul healing a man lame from birth, highlighting the stark contrast and sudden shift from veneration to violent persecution.
cambridgeActs 14:19: "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."
19–28 . Change of feeling in the multitude. Paul is stoned. The Apostles visit Derbe, and then return, by the route by which they came, to Antioch in Syria 19 . certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium ] Their anger, like that of “the circumcision” in Jerusalem, was roused against the Apostles, whom they knew to be born…
pulpitActs 14:19: "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."
Verse 19. - But there came Jews thither for and there came thither certain Jews, A.V.; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned for who persuaded the people, and having stoned, A.V.; and dragged for drew, A.V.; that he was dead for he had been dead, A.V. But there came Jews, etc. Observe the persistent enmity…
The crowd's sudden shift from wanting to worship Paul to violently stoning him highlights how easily people can be swayed by manipulative leaders and fall prey to fear, transforming adoration into brutal rage. This abrupt change underscores the volatile nature of public opinion, especially when fueled by external, hostile influences who twist truth.
Just moments after the people of Lystra, astonished by a miracle, tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, hostile Jews arrived from other cities. These outsiders stirred up the crowd, turning their adoration into violent rage, leading them to stone Paul and drag him out of the city, believing him dead. This sudden, dramatic shift highlights the fickle nature of crowds, easily swayed from worship to murderous intent.
Just moments after the people of Lystra, astonished by a miracle, tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, hostile Jews arrived from other cities. These outsiders stirred up the crowd, turning their adoration into violent rage, leading them to stone Paul and drag him out of the city, believing him dead. This sudden, dramatic shift highlights the fickle nature of crowds, easily swayed from worship to murderous intent.
"But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the n…" — The crowd's sudden shift from wanting to worship Paul to violently stoning him highlights how easily people can be swayed by manipulative leaders and fall prey to fear, transforming adoration into br…
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Last reviewed October 2026
