The increasing popularity of the message borne by the apostles, filled the unbelieving Jews with envy and hatred, and they determined to stop the labors of Paul and Barnabas at once. By means of false and exaggerated reports they led the authorities to fear that the entire city was in danger of being incited to insurrection. They declared that large numbers were attaching themselves to the apostles and suggested that it was for secret and dangerous designs.

Da det budskab, apostlene bragte, tiltog i folkeyndest, blev de vantro jøder opfyldt af skinsyge og had, og de besluttede at gøre en ende på Paulus og Barnabas virksomhed. Ved hjælp af falske og overdrevne rygter fik de myndighederne til at nære ængstelse for, at hele byen risikerede at komme i oprør. De erklærede, at der var mange, der havde sluttet sig til apostlene, og antydede, at de lagde hemmelige og farlige planer.