Acts 14:19
French (BDS) 2015 (La Bible du Semeur 2015)
Des Juifs arrivèrent d’Antioche et d’Iconium et ils parvinrent à retourner le peuple contre eux : ils lapidèrent Paul, puis ils le traînèrent hors de la ville, croyant qu’il était mort.
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that some Jews who came from Antioch and Iconium convinced the people in Lystra to attack Paul. They stoned him, dragged his body out of the city, thinking he was dead.
Explained for Children
Imagine if a group of bullies decided they didn’t like someone at school, so they started telling others not to be friends with that person. Then, those bullies pushed that person down and took them away from where everyone could see them, thinking the person wouldn't get back up.
Historical Background
This verse is part of the book of Acts written by Luke, a companion of Paul. It was written around AD 80 to early Christians detailing the spread of Christianity after Jesus' death and resurrection. This event took place in Lystra, where Paul had just healed a man who could not walk.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, we can see this as a reminder that sometimes people may misunderstand us or turn against us when we do good things. It's important to remember our strength and the support of others, much like how Paul was helped by his friends despite being hurt.
Topics
persecutionfaithfulnesshealingstrength in adversitycommunity supportresurrection hope
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Frequently Asked Questions
What led to Paul being stoned?
Paul had been preaching in Lystra, and his actions were misunderstood by some Jews from Antioch and Iconium who then convinced the local people to turn against him.
Why did they drag Paul out of the city?
The attackers believed that Paul was dead after stoning him. They dragged his body outside likely to ensure he would not receive any help or medical attention.
How did this event affect Paul's ministry?
Despite being severely hurt, Paul continued his missionary work, showing resilience and faithfulness in spreading the message of Christianity.
What can we learn about community support from this verse?
The story shows how even during times of severe persecution and hardship, believers supported each other. This underscores the importance of a supportive community in our own lives.