But the Jews stirred up - Excited opposition.
Honourable women - See the notes on Mark 15:43. Women of influence, and connected with families of rank. Perhaps they were proselytes, and were connected with the magistrates of the city.
And raised persecution - Probably on the ground that they produced disorder. The aid of “chief men” has often been called into oppose revivals of religion, and to put a period, if possible, to the spread of the gospel.
Out of their coasts - Out of the regions of their country; out of their province.