There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.

Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism),

But Saul grew stronger and stronger. He confused the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

After this had gone on for some time, the Jews hatched a plot to kill Saul.

He got into debates with the Greek-speaking Jews as well, but they tried to kill him.

The Antioch church

Now those who were scattered as a result of the trouble that occurred because of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They proclaimed the word only to Jews.

When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter as well. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

When the people in the synagogue were dismissed, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism accompanied Paul and Barnabas, who urged them to remain faithful to the message of God’s grace.

When the Jews saw the crowds, they were overcome with jealousy. They argued against what Paul was saying by slandering him.

However, the Jews provoked the prominent women among the Gentile God-worshippers, as well as the city’s leaders. They instigated others to harass Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their district.

Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke as they had before. As a result, a huge number of Jews and Greeks believed.

However, the Jews who rejected the faith stirred up the Gentiles, poisoning their minds against the brothers.

The people of the city were divided—some siding with the Jews, others with the Lord’s messengers.

Then some Gentiles and Jews, including their leaders, hatched a plot to mistreat and stone Paul and Barnabas.

Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won the crowds over. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead.

Paul wanted to take Timothy with him, so he circumcised him. This was because of the Jews who lived in those areas, for they all knew Timothy’s father was Greek.

When her owners approached the legal authorities, they said, “These people are causing an uproar in our city. They are Jews

But the Jews became jealous and brought along some thugs who were hanging out in the marketplace. They formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They attacked Jason’s house, intending to bring Paul and Silas before the people.

The Beroean Jews were more honorable than those in Thessalonica. This was evident in the great eagerness with which they accepted the word and examined the scriptures each day to see whether Paul and Silas’ teaching was true.

The Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul also proclaimed God’s word in Beroea, so they went there too and were upsetting and disturbing the crowds.

He began to interact with the Jews and Gentile God-worshippers in the synagogue. He also addressed whoever happened to be in the marketplace each day.

There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus. He had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul visited with them.

Every Sabbath he interacted with people in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks.

Once Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

Now when Gallio was the governor of the province of Achaia, the Jews united in their opposition against Paul and brought him before the court.