Acts 13:42-52
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. (v. 45) Again, Jewish leaders’ jealousy, even though in the previous verse we see “almost the whole city” gathering to hear Paul and Barnabas. But rather than listen themselves, jealousy overcomes the Jewish leaders to see that they are losing their crowds. Then they get belligerent just a few verses later (see below).
But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing… (v. 50a). I’ve always been intrigued by this verse, the “devout women of high standing” being recruited by the Jewish leaders to stand against Paul and Barnabas. Why would the Jewish leaders feel it necessary for women to speak up? Did their voices carry greater weight? In my (failed) memory I had thought that this incident had occurred on a number of occasions in Acts, but 13:50 is the only one. What surprised me, however, was just the opposite, that “…a number of the leading women…” in Thessalonica were mentioned as converts (Acts 17:4). Later we will see more women in leading roles in Paul’s ministry.
Slava Bohu!