1 Thessalonians 2:15
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
Original Language Analysis
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
Who both
G2532
καὶ
Who both
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον
the Lord
G2962
κύριον
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 21
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
Who both
G2532
καὶ
Who both
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίους
their own
G2398
ἰδίους
their own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
9 of 21
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
προφήτας
prophets
G4396
προφήτας
prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
10 of 21
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
καὶ
Who both
G2532
καὶ
Who both
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκδιωξάντων
have persecuted
G1559
ἐκδιωξάντων
have persecuted
Strong's:
G1559
Word #:
13 of 21
to pursue out, i.e., expel or persecute implacably
καὶ
Who both
G2532
καὶ
Who both
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
15 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
16 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀρεσκόντων
they please
G700
ἀρεσκόντων
they please
Strong's:
G700
Word #:
17 of 21
to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so)
Cross References
Matthew 5:12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:Acts 7:52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Matthew 27:25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.Luke 24:20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.Esther 3:8And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
Historical Context
Paul writes from experience—Jews from Thessalonica followed him to Berea, inciting persecution there (Acts 17:13). Earlier, Judean Jews opposed his ministry (Acts 9:23, 29), Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:50), Iconium (Acts 14:2, 5), Lystra (Acts 14:19), and would later in Corinth (Acts 18:12-17) and Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-36). This pattern fulfilled Jesus's warning (Matt 10:17, 23; 23:34). Yet Paul never abandoned his kinsmen, maintaining 'great heaviness and continual sorrow' for Israel (Rom 9:2) and longing for their salvation (Rom 10:1; 11:14).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between prophetic indictment of covenant unfaithfulness and sinful ethnic hatred?
- What does opposition to the gospel's spread reveal about the human heart's hostility toward God?
- How can Paul simultaneously indict Jewish opposition and maintain 'great sorrow' for Israel's salvation (Rom 9:2-3)? What does this teach about biblical confrontation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men—Paul indicts unbelieving Jews (not all Jews, but specifically those who reject Christ) with four charges:
This isn't anti-Semitism but prophetic indictment in Israel's own tradition (Matt 23:29-36
Acts 7:51-53). Jesus and prophets denounced Israel's covenant unfaithfulness; Paul continues this pattern. The phrase pasin anthrōpois enantōn ('contrary to all men') describes preventing Gentiles' salvation (v. 16), an ultimate act of hostility. God's covenant people have become covenant breakers; chosen for blessing nations, they prevent it. This tragedy intensifies Paul's anguish for Israel (Rom 9:1-5; 10:1) and anticipates God's judicial hardening (Rom 11:7-10, 25).