When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as just another instance of persecution, but notice how the text emphasizes the unity of both Gentiles and Jews, "with their rulers," in their opposition to Paul and Barnabas. This highlights how the message of the gospel could bridge even the deepest societal divides, but sadly, also unite enemies against the followers of Christ.
When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul and Barnabas were in Iconium, preaching the gospel, but they faced increasing opposition. A violent plot arose, fueled by both the Gentile population and the Jewish leaders, aiming to insult and physically attack Paul and Barnabas with stones. Aware of this deadly conspiracy, the apostles wisely fled to escape the danger, continuing their ministry elsewhere.
It's common to see enemies clash, but what happens when they unite against something else entirely? This verse reveals a surprising alliance.
In Lystra, a city where Paul and Barnabas had just preached, a dangerous situation arose. The text highlights an 'assault' being made 'both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews, with their rulers.' This is significant because Gentiles and Jews were often at odds with each other, as were their respective leaderships. Yet, faced with the message and ministry of Paul and Barnabas, they put aside their differences. This shared opposition created a united front against the apostles. It’s a stark reminder that the pursuit of God's kingdom can provoke a unified response from opposing forces in the world.
What was the ultimate aim of this unified opposition? It wasn't just a minor scuffle; their intentions were severe.
The text doesn't just say an attack was made; it specifies the purpose behind it: 'to use them despitefully, and to stone them.' The phrase 'to use them despitefully' speaks of insult, disgrace, and public humiliation. It was an attempt to strip away their dignity and make them appear contemptible. Following this, the intention was 'to stone them,' a brutal form of capital punishment, particularly among the Jews, often associated with charges of blasphemy. This reveals a two-pronged attack: first, to ruin their reputation through public shame, and second, to end their lives. They sought to silence the gospel message by destroying its messengers, both in honor and in life.
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When faced with such a violent assault, the natural instinct might be to fight back. But the apostles chose a different path.
The narrative tells us that when Paul and Barnabas 'knew the matter' (v. 6), they didn't stand their ground for a confrontation. Instead, they 'fled into Lystra and Derbe, and to the region that lies about Lycaonia.' This wasn't cowardice; it was wisdom and obedience to Jesus' own instruction to 'flee to another town' when persecuted (Matthew 10:23). While they were empowered to perform miracles, they were not given invincibility from physical harm. Their mission was to preach the gospel, and sometimes, strategic retreat is the best way to ensure that mission can continue. By escaping the mob's fury, they preserved their lives to preach another day, demonstrating that faithfulness sometimes looks like tactical withdrawal rather than direct confrontation.
Understand the original words
hybrisai · Greek Verb
To inflict physical harm, abuse, or violence upon someone, often due to religious or ideological opposition.
lithobolēsai · Greek Verb
A form of capital punishment involving throwing stones at the condemned until death; a method of execution historically associated with religious offenses under Mosaic Law.
c. AD 47-48
Paul and Barnabas' First Missionary Journey
Paul and Barnabas embarked on their first major missionary journey, traveling through Cyprus and Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). This period saw them establishing churches in cities like Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
c. AD 48— this verse
Uprising in Iconium
In Iconium, the apostles faced intense opposition. A violent mob, incited by both Jewish leaders and Gentiles, formed with the intent to insult and stone Paul and Barnabas, forcing them to flee.
c. AD 48
Healing at Lystra and Mob Violence
Arriving in Lystra, Paul healed a man lame from birth. However, the crowd, misunderstanding this miracle, attempted to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods before a hostile mob, incited by Jews from Iconium, later stoned Paul.
c. AD 48
Establishment of Churches in Lycaonia
Following the persecution in Lystra, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Derbe and then returned through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and appointing elders in each church they had established.
This passage directly references Paul's own experience of being stoned, which happened later in the very same city (Lystra) mentioned in Acts 14:5, highlighting the real and immediate danger faced by the apostles.
Matthew 10:23Jesus warned his disciples that they would be persecuted and told them to flee from city to city when faced with opposition, a strategy Paul and Barnabas employed here in Acts 14:6 as a wise response to the threat.
Acts 13:50This verse describes a similar situation where Jewish leaders stirred up opposition against Paul and Barnabas, leading them to flee to another city, demonstrating a pattern of persecution faced by the early missionaries.
John 15:20Jesus forewarned his followers that the world would hate them because they belong to Him, providing a theological framework for understanding the violent opposition Paul and Barnabas encountered from both Gentiles and Jews.
ellicottActs 14:5: "And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,"
(5) To use them despitefully. —The verb expresses wanton insult and outrage. St. Paul uses the noun derived from it to express the character of his own conduct as a persecutor ( 1Timothy 1:13 ), and must have felt, as afterwards in the actual stoning of Acts 14:19 , that he was receiving the just reward of his own deeds.
bensonActs 14:5: "And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,"
Acts 14:5-7 . And when there was an assault made — Or was about to be made; both of the Gentiles, and the Jews — Who, though generally at enmity with one another, yet were united against the Christians, as Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Pharisees and Sadducees, against Christ. If the churches enemies can unite for its destruction, shall not it…
It's easy to read this as just another instance of persecution, but notice how the text emphasizes the unity of both Gentiles and Jews, "with their rulers," in their opposition to Paul and Barnabas. This highlights how the message of the gospel could bridge even the deepest societal divides, but sadly, also unite enemies against the followers of Christ.
Paul and Barnabas were in Iconium, preaching the gospel, but they faced increasing opposition. A violent plot arose, fueled by both the Gentile population and the Jewish leaders, aiming to insult and physically attack Paul and Barnabas with stones. Aware of this deadly conspiracy, the apostles wisely fled to escape the danger, continuing their ministry elsewhere.
Paul and Barnabas were in Iconium, preaching the gospel, but they faced increasing opposition. A violent plot arose, fueled by both the Gentile population and the Jewish leaders, aiming to insult and physically attack Paul and Barnabas with stones. Aware of this deadly conspiracy, the apostles wisely fled to escape the danger, continuing their ministry elsewhere.
"When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them," — It's easy to read this as just another instance of persecution, but notice how the text emphasizes the unity of both Gentiles and Jews, "with their rulers," in their opposition to Paul and Barnabas…
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Last reviewed October 2026