Thematic Bible: Religious Intolerance


Thematic Bible



Then the high-priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Verse ConceptsConfrontationHigh Priest, In NtSmitingSmiting Of The RighteousOther References To MouthsRivers

But the unbelieving Jews, roused to a fit of zeal, and taking some of the lowest vulgar men of vile characters, and raising a mob, set the city in an uproar, and besetting the house of Jason, sought them to bring them unto the people. Verse ConceptsEnvyIntoleranceJealousyMarketsUnbelieversEnvy, Example OfUnbelief, Examples OfDisorder Among PeopleBringing People Out Of Other PlacesIsrael HardenedMaking Israel Jealous

saying, This is the fellow that earnestly persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. Verse ConceptsIntoleranceInciting To EvilHow Not To WorshipBreaking God's Law

Then the Jews stirred up the devout women, and those who were respectable, and the principal persons of the city, and raised up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. Verse ConceptsDevout MenIntoleranceInciting To EvilUnbelief, As Response To GodPersecution, OriginPersecution Of The Apostle Paul

crying out, Men of Israel, help! This is the man, who, by his preaching, sets all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: yea and more still, hath brought Greeks into the temple, and defiled this holy place: (for they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they imagined that Paul had introduced into the temple.) And the whole city was in motion, and there was a concourse of people assembled: and laying hands on Paul, they dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. read more.
And as they were attempting to murder him, the report reached the military tribune of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

And they gave him audience to this sentence, and lifted up their voice, saying, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. So when they began raising a vast clamour, and stripping off their garments, and casting dust into the air,

BUT Saul was delighted with his execution. Now on that very day commenced a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and all, besides the apostles, were dispersed through the regions of Judea and Samaria. Then some pious men assembling, carried Stephen to his grave, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul ravaged the church, entering into the houses, and dragging men and women, cast them into prison.

Then rose up certain men of the synagogue of the freed-men, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they could not resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they suborned men to say, We heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses, and against God. read more.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and coming upon him, they seized him together, and dragged him to the sanhedrim; and they set up false witnesses, saying, This man doth not cease speaking blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: for we have heard him affirm, that Jesus the Nazarean, even he, will destroy this place, and change the accustomed ordinances which Moses delivered to us. And fixing their eyes upon him, all who sat in the sanhedrim, beheld his face as the face of an angel.

Then they screamed out with a great cry, and stopped their ears, and rushed all together upon him, and dragging him out of the city, stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, in the act of prayer, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!



But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that at Berea also the word of God was preached by Paul, they came thither, and stirred up the populace. Verse ConceptsGospel, Responses ToPreaching, Effects OfInciting To EvilSpiritual Warfare, Causes OfUnbelief, As Response To GodIsrael Hardened

AND as they were thus speaking, the priests, and the captain of the temple-guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them, worn down with vexation, because they taught the people, and preached by Jesus the resurrection of the dead. And they laid hands on them, and committed them to prison till the next day: for it was then evening.

But bidding them retire out of the council-chamber, they conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do with these men? for that an acknowledged miracle hath been wrought by them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it be no farther spread among the people, we will menace them with threats, no more to speak in this name to any man. read more.
So calling them in, they charged them not to speak in any manner, nor to teach, in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John, answering them, said, If it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, be yourselves the judges. For we cannot refrain from speaking the things which we have seen and heard. Then they with many additional threatenings dismissed them, finding no pretext how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for what had been done.

Then John addressing him said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbad him, because he followed not with us. Verse Conceptsdriving outIntoleranceMiracles, Nature OfPeople Casting Out DemonsIn The Name Of ChristNot With PeopleMan's Authority Over The DevilCasting Out DemonsgroupsDemonic Influence

Then John addressed him, saying, Master, we saw a person in thy name casting out devils, who followeth us not: and we forbad him, because he did not follow us. Then said Jesus, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall perform a miracle in my name, who will be able presently after to speak evil of me.