Acts 13:50
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐσχήμονας
honourable
G2158
εὐσχήμονας
honourable
Strong's:
G2158
Word #:
10 of 31
well-formed, i.e., (figuratively) decorous, noble (in rank)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 31
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 #:
12 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρώτους
the chief men
G4413
πρώτους
the chief men
Strong's:
G4413
Word #:
13 of 31
foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλεως
of the city
G4172
πόλεως
of the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
15 of 31
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπήγειραν
raised
G1892
ἐπήγειραν
raised
Strong's:
G1892
Word #:
17 of 31
to rouse upon, i.e., (figuratively) to excite against
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
19 of 31
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
21 of 31
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 31
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 #:
23 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Βαρναβᾶν
Barnabas
G921
Βαρναβᾶν
Barnabas
Strong's:
G921
Word #:
24 of 31
son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
27 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπὸ
out of
G575
ἀπὸ
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
28 of 31
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 14:19And 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 14:2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.Acts 21:27And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,Acts 17:13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.Acts 13:45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.Acts 13:43Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.2 Timothy 3:11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.Isaiah 66:5Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.Acts 6:12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Historical Context
Pisidian Antioch (not Syrian Antioch) was a Roman colony with significant Jewish and God-fearer populations. Women of status wielded considerable influence in Asia Minor's civic life. Jewish communities often cultivated relationships with elite Gentile sympathizers to gain political leverage. Paul's first missionary journey (AD 47-48) encountered this pattern repeatedly—initial synagogue access, then organized opposition.
Questions for Reflection
- When the gospel threatens existing power structures, what tactics do opponents use today to "stir up" social opposition?
- How does this verse show that persecution can advance rather than hinder God's mission—and how should that shape our response to opposition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city—This reveals the synagogue's strategic use of social influence. The "devout" (σεβομένας, sebomenas) women were likely God-fearers, Gentile adherents to Judaism who had social standing. Jewish leaders weaponized these influential converts to mobilize civic opposition.
Raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them (ἐπήγειραν διωγμὸν, epēgeiran diōgmon)—The Greek "stirred up" suggests deliberate incitement. This pattern—initial receptivity followed by elite-driven opposition—would mark Paul's ministry throughout Acts. The expulsion from "their coasts" (ὁρίων, horiōn, "borders") was civic banishment, not mere synagogue discipline. Yet this persecution fulfilled Christ's prediction (Matthew 10:23) and scattered the gospel seed further, demonstrating God's sovereignty over even hostile rejection.