The Jews reacted with violent fury, rioting and crying “Away with such a fellow from the earth” the moment Paul mentioned the Gentiles.
In Acts 22, the Jewish crowd listened to Paul’s testimony until he said the word “Gentile,” then they lifted up their voices and demanded his death. Les Feldick explains that Israel had been steeped for centuries in their identity as God’s separate covenant people, so Paul’s announcement that God was sending him to the Gentiles infuriated them.
Acts 22:21-22 — These verses record the Jewish crowd’s riotous reaction when Paul reported the Lord’s command to go to the Gentiles.
At the end of Paul’s defense before the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, he recounted how the Lord spoke to him in the temple: “Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21). The word “Gentile” triggered the crowd. Verse 22 says, “And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.” The Old Testament had set Israel apart from other nations. God told Israel in Exodus 19:6, “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Paul later wrote that God’s calling also includes the Gentiles: “Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles” (Romans 9:24). The biblical account shows both the divine call of the Gentiles and the Jewish crowd’s violent refusal to hear it.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Israel’s reaction came from centuries of being separated from the nations. From the Exodus onward, God told Israel they were a set-apart, covenant people — a kingdom of priests. Because that separation had been reinforced again and again, the average Jew in Paul’s day could not conceive of Gentiles having any part in God’s purposes. When Paul began to go to the Gentiles, they detested him and fought him every inch of the way. In Acts 22, they listened attentively to everything Paul said until he used the word “Gentile,” and then they rioted, calling for his death. Les also points out that Israel had lost sight of their true role: to be God’s vehicle to reach the Gentiles.
In Acts 22, Paul was addressing a Jewish crowd in Jerusalem and telling them how the Lord had spoken to him. He related that the Lord said, “Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21). The crowd listened with rapt attention until that word “Gentile,” and then they lifted up their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live” (Acts 22:22). Les Feldick says that one word — Gentile — caused a riot, and the Roman authorities had to protect Paul.
Les Feldick explains that Israel had been pounded since Egypt with the truth that they were a separated people, God’s covenant nation. They were set apart from all the other peoples. So when Paul came saying there was no difference between Jew and Gentile, the nation of Israel hated him for it. They were not simply rejecting Paul; they were rejecting the idea that Gentiles could be included in God’s salvation. Les points out that Israel had become blinded to her true role as the vehicle God intended to use to reach the Gentiles.
God told Israel in Exodus 19:6, “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” From Egypt onward, Israel was a set-apart covenant people, and this was repeatedly reinforced. Paul’s gospel revealed that God had also called the Gentiles, as Romans 9:24 states. But for many Jews, that revelation was met with the kind of fury seen in Acts 22.
Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts
he'll let you go. And, of course, we know that's exactly what happened. And He says down in verse 5, And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sits upon a throne, even to the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of what? Even the beasts, even the livestock.
The Riot at the Word “Gentile”
Les describes the Jewish crowd in Acts 22 listening until Paul says “Gentile,” then rioting and crying “Away with such a fellow.” He explains Israel had been blinded to their role as God’s vehicle to the Gentiles and fought Paul every inch of the way.
The Nation Detested Paul
Les notes that the crowd listened with rapt silence until Paul said the word “Gentile,” and then called for his death. He emphasizes that the nation of Israel detested Paul for bringing the gospel to the Gentiles.
Israel’s Separated Covenant Identity
Les explains that from Egypt onward Israel was taught they were a set-apart covenant people, so when Paul began going to the Gentiles, they hated him for it.
The Uproar Over “No Difference”
Les recounts that at the word “Gentile” the Jewish crowd went into an uproar and only Roman authorities saved Paul. He then highlights Paul’s message that there is no difference, which was shocking to Israel.
The Jewish Mindset of Being Chosen
Les sets the context by explaining Jews were steeped in the covenants and law, seeing Gentiles as having no part in their relationship with God.
Attitude Toward “Gentile Dogs”
Les walks through Acts 22 where Paul is speaking to the Jewish crowd; he says the Jews’ attitude toward Gentiles is revealed when they listened only until the word “Gentile.”
Infuriated by the Inclusion of Gentiles
Les shows that the mere word “Gentile” made the Jews say Paul was not fit to live. He also points to Romans 9:24 teaching that God called the Gentiles as well, which infuriated the Jews.
Acts 22:21: And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
This is the Lord’s command that Paul reported to the Jewish crowd, the statement that triggered their riot.
Acts 22:22: And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
This verse records the crowd’s violent reaction to the word “Gentile.”
Romans 9:24: Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Paul’s declaration that God’s calling includes Gentiles, which infuriated his countrymen.
Exodus 19:6: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
The Old Testament basis for Israel’s status as a separated, covenant people.
The crowd in Acts 22 listened to Paul until he reported the Lord’s words, “Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” At the word “Gentile,” they lifted up their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.” Les Feldick says this reveals how deeply Israel resented the idea of Gentiles being included.
The evidence focuses on the Jerusalem crowd that rioted in Acts 22. Les describes it as a national phenomenon — they had been steeped in the idea that they were a separate covenant people and Gentiles had no part, so they hated Paul for his Gentile mission.
Israel had been told from Egypt onward that they were a separated people, God’s covenant nation — for example, a “kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6). That separation was reinforced for centuries, making it difficult for them to accept that God was also calling the Gentiles.
Paul pointed to verses like Romans 9:24, which says God called “not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.” Les notes this wasn’t a new concept of Paul’s, but Israel had lost sight of her role.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts