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.
Acts 14:19 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see how Paul faced persecution while spreading the message of Christianity. Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to the city where Paul was preaching and managed to persuade the people there to turn against him. This led to them stoning Paul and leaving him for dead outside the city. The significance of this event lies in the resilience and perseverance of Paul, who remained committed to his mission despite facing extreme adversity. It also showcases the brutal reality of the early Christian movement, where believers often faced opposition and violence for their faith. Paul's survival after being stoned demonstrates the miraculous power of God and serves as a testament to his unwavering faith. This verse is a reminder of the sacrifices made by early Christians to spread the teachings of Christianity and the importance of standing firm in the face of persecution.
Theological Overview
Upon encountering certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, the apostle Paul faced a violent ordeal as the people were persuaded by these individuals to stone him. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the dangers faced by early followers of Christianity as they spread the message of Christ. Despite facing persecution and even death, Paul remained steadfast in his mission to share the Gospel. The word "stoned" carries a significant weight in its historical context, representing a form of punishment often used to suppress dissent and silence those who preached against the established beliefs. Paul's resilience and commitment to his faith serve as a testament to the unwavering dedication of early Christians in the face of fierce opposition. The word "dead" in this verse may also reflect the severity of the attack, with those who stoned Paul mistakenly assuming they had successfully killed him. This event underscores the sacrifices made by individuals such as Paul in their efforts to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Acts 14:19 in other translations
American Standard Version
But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
World English Bible
But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Douay-Rheims
But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up and entered into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then there came certaine Iewes from Antiochia and Iconium, which when they had persuaded the people, stoned Paul, and drewe him out of the citie, supposing he had bene dead.