Acts13
King James Version · Public Domain
1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
6And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar–jesus:
7Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
13Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
14But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
17The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
18And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
20And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
23Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
24When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
26Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
27For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
28And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30But God raised him from the dead:
31And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
34And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
35Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
37But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
42And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46Then 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.
47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
49And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 13.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The mission of Paul and Barnabas. (1–3). Elymas the sorcerer. (4–13). Paul's discourse at Antioch. (14–41). He preaches to the Gentiles, and is persecuted by the Jews. (42–52).
vv1-3
What an assemblage was here! In these names we see that the Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and stations in life; and zeal for his glory induces men to give up flattering connexions and prospects to promote his cause. It is by the Spirit of Christ that his ministers are made both able and willing for his service, and taken from other cares that would hinder in it. Christ's ministers are to be employed in Christ's work, and, under the Spirit's guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father. They are separated to take pains, and not to take state. A blessing upon Barnabas and Saul in their present undertaking was sought for, and that they might be filled with the Holy Ghost in their work. Whatever means are used, or rules observed, the Holy Ghost alone can fit ministers for their important work, and call them to it.
vv4-13
Satan is in a special manner busy with great men and men in power, to keep them from being religious, for their example will influence many. Saul is here for the first time called Paul, and never after Saul. Saul was his name as he was a Hebrew; Paul was his name as he was a citizen of Rome. Under the direct influence of the Holy Ghost, he gave Elymas his true character, but not in passion. A fulness of deceit and mischief together, make a man indeed a child of the devil. And those who are enemies to the doctrine of Jesus, are enemies to all righteousness; for in it all righteousness is fulfilled. The ways of the Lord Jesus are the only right ways to heaven and happiness. There are many who not only wander from these ways themselves, but set others against these ways. They commonly are so hardened, that they will not cease to do evil. The proconsul was astonished at the force of the doctrine upon his own heart and conscience, and at the power of God by which it was confirmed. The doctrine of Christ astonishes; and the more we know of it, the more reason we shall see to wonder at it. Those who put their hand to the plough and look back, are not fit for the kingdom of God. Those who are not prepared to face opposition, and to endure hardship, are not fitted for the work of the ministry.
vv14-31
When we come together to worship God, we must do it, not only by prayer and praise, but by the reading and hearing of the word of God. The bare reading of the Scriptures in public assemblies is not enough; they should be expounded, and the people exhorted out of them. This is helping people in doing that which is necessary to make the word profitable, to apply it to themselves. Every thing is touched upon in this sermon, which might best prevail with Jews to receive and embrace Christ as the promised Messiah. And every view, however short or faint, of the Lord's dealings with his church, reminds us of his mercy and long-suffering, and of man's ingratitude and perverseness. Paul passes from David to the Son of David, and shows that this Jesus is his promised Seed; a Saviour to do that for them, which the judges of old could not do, to save them from their sins, their worst enemies. When the apostles preached Christ as the Saviour, they were so far from concealing his death, that they always preached Christ crucified. Our complete separation from sin, is represented by our being buried with Christ. But he rose again from the dead, and saw no corruption: this was the great truth to be preached.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
ἦν (ēn): I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
κατά (katá): (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía): a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
Ἀντιόχεια (Antiócheia): Antiochia, a place in Syria
προφήτης (prophḗtēs): a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διδάσκαλος (didáskalos): an instructor (genitive case or specially)
καλέω (kaléō): to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
Νίγερ (Níger): black; Niger, a Christian
Cross References
Acts 13Directly quoted by Paul to prove Christ's resurrection is the fulfillment of divine Sonship.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Quoted by Paul ('sure mercies of David') to confirm the everlasting nature of Christ's resurrection.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Quoted to show that the Messiah was destined to rise without seeing bodily corruption.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct quotation warning the despisers of God's work of imminent judgment and unbelief.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct quotation of the prophetic commission to be a light of the Gentiles.
Elymas's magical opposition to the gospel parallels the Egyptian magicians' resistance to Moses.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's historical summary quotes God's testimony of David as a man after His own heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels Paul's central argument that justification is by faith in Christ, not by Moses' law.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Quoted as a solemn warning against rejecting God's work, drawing on prophetic judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel transition in Corinth where Paul opposes blaspheming Jews and turns to the Gentiles.
Paul's final solemn declaration in Rome turning to the Gentiles due to Jewish unbelief.
Direct obedience to Jesus' command to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony.
Barnabas and Saul recognized as key teachers/apostles, maintaining fellowship and mutual ministry partitions.
Supported by John Calvin
Calvin highlights the distinction and overlap between NT 'prophets and teachers' referenced in Antioch.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallels the listing of spiritual offices, specifically prophets and teachers, in the church.
Supported by John Calvin
Underlines the divine authority of the call, proving the supreme divinity of the Holy Spirit.
Supported by JFB
Paul describes himself as 'separated unto the gospel of God,' echoing his Antioch separation.
Supported by JFB
The regular reading of the prophets in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The historical account of Israel desiring a king, which Paul references at the start.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Connects David's temporal service and death to the eternal, incorruptible reign of Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The foundational covenant promise that God would raise up David's seed to establish his kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Peter's Pentecost sermon uses the same Davidic resurrection proof from Psalm 16.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms the inability of the Mosaic law to justify, emphasizing faith in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Theological principle that the gospel must be offered to the Jew first, then the Greek.
Reinforces Paul's earlier statement in this sermon that the word of salvation was sent to them.
Jesus' warning that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to others.
Theological parallel linking belief with God's sovereign choice and ordaining grace before time.
Connects belief of the truth with being chosen/ordained by God unto salvation from the beginning.
Connects Manaen's courtly association (Herod's foster brother) with other royal connections like Chuza.
Supported by JFB
The laying on of hands as the solemn apostolic commissioning of those chosen.
Supported by JFB
Explains 'sent them away' as recommending them to the grace of God for their work.
Supported by JFB
Details the fallout of John Mark's departure from them at Pamphylia.
Supported by JFB
Paul's phrasing of God 'bearing' or 'suffering' Israel in the wilderness echoes Moses' words.
Supported by JFB
Explicitly names the seven nations of Canaan that God destroyed before Israel.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes John's declaration of baptism and unworthiness to loose the Messiah's sandals.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Illustrates the progression of preaching 'this salvation' to Jews first, then to Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Poole