Acts 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.
Original Language Analysis
Ἐπῆλθον
there came thither
G1904
Ἐπῆλθον
there came thither
Strong's:
G1904
Word #:
1 of 22
to supervene, i.e., arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
3 of 22
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πείσαντες
persuaded
G3982
πείσαντες
persuaded
Strong's:
G3982
Word #:
9 of 22
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλους
the people
G3793
ὄχλους
the people
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
11 of 22
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 22
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 #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
15 of 22
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλεως
the city
G4172
πόλεως
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
19 of 22
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
νομίσαντες
supposing
G3543
νομίσαντες
supposing
Strong's:
G3543
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, to do by law (usage), i.e., to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard
Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;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.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 14:5And 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 7:58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.2 Corinthians 11:23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Historical Context
Stoning was the Jewish method of execution, indicating Jewish instigation even in this Gentile city (Lystra). That Paul survived and continued ministry shows extraordinary physical and spiritual resilience under divine protection.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when public opinion swings dramatically from acceptance to hostility?
- What does Paul's survival and immediate return to ministry teach about perseverance under extreme opposition?
Analysis & Commentary
The shocking reversal - from attempted worship (verse 18) to stoning Paul - demonstrates crowd volatility and the opposition's influence. Jews from Antioch and Iconium traveled significant distances to oppose Paul, showing determined resistance to the gospel. Paul's survival after stoning (they 'supposed he had been dead') demonstrates either divine protection or remarkable resilience.