Acts 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,
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 17
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐγένετο
made
G1096
ἐγένετο
made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 17
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐθνῶν
of the Gentiles
G1484
ἐθνῶν
of the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
6 of 17
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
10 of 17
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτούς
their
G846
αὐτούς
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 17
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
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.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.
Historical Context
Stoning required community participation, not individual violence. By AD 47-48, Jews lacked capital punishment authority under Rome, but mob stoning occasionally occurred (as with Stephen). The alliance between Jews and Gentiles here was unusual, showing how powerfully the gospel disrupted normal social alignments.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when opposition becomes physically dangerous rather than merely ideological?
- What does the coalition of diverse enemies teach about the supernatural nature of gospel opposition?
Analysis & Commentary
An assault made... to use them despitefully, and to stone them—The Greek hormē (assault) suggests violent rushing or hostile momentum, not merely verbal threats. Use them despitefully translates hybrisai (to outrage, insult violently), denoting shameful treatment and physical abuse. Stone them reveals the Jewish faction's influence, since stoning was Mosaic punishment for blasphemy. This joint attack—both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers—shows unprecedented coalition against the apostles. The inclusion of 'rulers' indicates official sanction was sought, making this attempted lynching semi-legal.