“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,”
My Notes
What Does Acts 14:5 Mean?
"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." In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas face a rare alliance: Jews and Gentiles unite against them. These groups normally had significant social and religious barriers between them, but opposition to the gospel temporarily erases those divisions. The plan includes both insult ("use them despitefully") and murder ("to stone them").
Luke notes that Paul and Barnabas become aware of the plot and flee to Lystra and Derbe — a strategic retreat, not cowardice. Jesus had instructed his disciples to flee when persecuted in one city (Matthew 10:23). The missionaries' response shows discernment: they don't seek martyrdom, but they also don't abandon the region. They move to the next city and keep preaching.
Reflection Questions
- 1.When have you experienced opposition from people who normally wouldn't agree with each other — and what truth were you standing on?
- 2.How do you discern between staying to face opposition and wisely moving to the next 'city'?
- 3.Why does the gospel tend to threaten both religious and secular power structures?
- 4.What 'next city' might be waiting for the message you're carrying?
Devotional
Jews and Gentiles couldn't agree on much in the ancient world. But they agreed on this: Paul and Barnabas had to go. The gospel accomplished something cultural rivalry couldn't: it united opposing groups against a common threat.
There's a strange compliment in being opposed by everyone. If the message only threatened one group, it could be dismissed as partisan. But when both sides of a cultural divide feel threatened by the same truth, the truth must be hitting something deeper than either group's agenda. The gospel doesn't take sides in human power structures. It challenges all of them.
Paul and Barnabas didn't stay to be martyred. They left. Knowing a stoning was planned, they moved to the next city. This is wisdom, not cowardice. Jesus himself told his disciples: when they persecute you in one city, flee to the next. There's no virtue in dying unnecessarily when the next town needs to hear the message too.
If you're facing opposition from multiple directions — if it seems like everyone disagrees with you for different reasons — consider that you might be standing on something that threatens all human power structures equally. And if the opposition becomes dangerous, consider that sometimes the bravest thing is to take the message to the next city, not to stay and absorb punishment that serves no one.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And when there was an assault made,.... Or a strong bias and inclination were in the minds,
both of the Gentiles, and…
An assault made - Greek: a “rush” - ὁρμή hormē. It denotes “an impetuous excitement and aggression; a rush to put…
An assault made - Ὁρμη, A desperate attempt was made by their rulers, i.e. by the heathen rulers of the people, and the…
In these verses we have,
I. The preaching of the gospel in Iconium, whither the apostles were forced to retire from…
when there was an assault made The noun does not necessarily imply that any direct attack had been made, which, from…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture