But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Read Chapter 13
John Chrysostom
AD 407
See malice wounded in wounding others: this made the Apostles more conspicuous— the contradiction which those offered. In the first instance then they of their own accord besought them to speak (and now they opposed them): contradicting, it says, and blaspheming. O recklessness! Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Why did they not contradict before this? Do you observe who on all occasions they were moved by passion? And they not only contradicted, but blasphemed also. For indeed malice stops at nothing. But see what boldness of speech! It was necessary, he says, that the word should have been spoken first to you, but since you put it from you,—
