So enraged were the leaders among the Jews by the turn that matters were taking, that they determined to gain their ends by violence. Arousing the worst passions of the 179 ignorant, noisy mob, they succeeded in creating a tumult, which they attributed to the teaching of the disciples. By this false charge they hoped to gain the help of the magistrates in carrying out their purpose. They determined that the apostles should have no opportunity to vindicate themselves and that the mob should interfere by stoning Paul and Barnabas, thus putting an end to their labors.

Jødernes ledere blev så rasende over den vending, sagerne tog, at de besluttede at nå deres mål ved at bruge vold. Da de havde fremkaldt de værste lidenskaber hos den uvidende, larmende folkehob, lykkedes det dem at skabe optøjer, som de gav disciplenes lære skylden for. Ved denne falske beskyldning håbede de at opnå myndighedernes hjælp til at udføre deres forsæt. De besluttede, at apostlene ikke skulle få nogen lejlighed til at hævne sig, og at hoben skulle gribe ind og stene Paulus og Barnabas og på den måde gøre ende på deres virksomhed.