Paul Stoned

Paul stoned at Lystra

ACTS 14 COMMENTARY ◄
Acts 14:12-18 Zeus and Hermes?

Acts 14:19-28 Paul Stoned

ACTS 14:19 19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

What does "they stoned Paul" (Acts 14:19) mean?
They threw stones at Paul or down at Paul to kill him (see Stephen stoned).

Who stoned Paul?
The "multitudes" in Lystra who were "persuaded" by the "Jews" from both "Antioch and Iconium" (Acts 14:19) who had chased after Paul and Barnabas.

Did Paul die after being stoned and then get raised from the dead?
Paul was injured badly enough and so immobile that they "[supposed] him to be dead" (Acts 14:19).

ACTS 14:20 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

What did God do to Paul after he was stoned and left for dead?
God healed him so quickly that he was able to travel the very "next day" (Acts 14:20).

ACTS 14:21-22 21 And when they had preached the Gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Why did God let Paul get hurt so badly that they thought he was dead?
To grant another edifying miracle to Paul and to the disciples who "gathered around" (Acts 14:20) his injured body and witnessed it being restored, but also to grant Paul and Barnabas some time free from the pestering Jews, now departed, as the two planted the church in "Derbe" (Acts 14:20) and then revisited the churches planted in "Lystra, Iconium and Antioch" (Acts 14:21).

Through what did the Apostles say we "must... enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22)?
"Many tribulations" (Acts 14:22)

Why?
Christians fight against the "devil": "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:10-12). Whenever a Christian is used by the Lord and bear fruit for His glory, he or she draws enemy fire, the lack of which should be cause for concern and self-examination.

ACTS 14:23 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

What are "elders" (Acts 14:23)?
See Elders.

ACTS 14:24-28 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. 27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Where are "Pisidia" and "Pamphylia" (Acts 14:24), and "Perga" (Acts 14:25)?
See Perga.

Hadn't they already preached the word in Perga on their way inland to Antioch?
No, they had gone straight to Antioch (see Perga).

Where is "Attalia" (Acts 14:25)?
Attalia is the port city located immediately west of Perga and from where Paul and Barnabas "sailed to Antioch" (Acts 14:26) of Syria to complete what for Paul would be the first of his four missionary journeys.