Acts 13ESV
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Acts13

English Standard Version

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Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 13.

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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.

Cross References

Acts 13
v33Psalms 2:7quotation

Directly quoted by Paul to prove Christ's resurrection is the fulfillment of divine Sonship.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v34Isaiah 55:3quotation

Quoted by Paul ('sure mercies of David') to confirm the everlasting nature of Christ's resurrection.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v35Psalms 16:10quotation

Quoted to show that the Messiah was destined to rise without seeing bodily corruption.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v41Habakkuk 1:5quotation

Direct quotation warning the despisers of God's work of imminent judgment and unbelief.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v47Isaiah 49:6quotation

Direct quotation of the prophetic commission to be a light of the Gentiles.

v8Exodus 7:11-13thematic

Elymas's magical opposition to the gospel parallels the Egyptian magicians' resistance to Moses.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v221 Samuel 13:14allusion

Paul's historical summary quotes God's testimony of David as a man after His own heart.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v39Galatians 2:16thematic

Parallels Paul's central argument that justification is by faith in Christ, not by Moses' law.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v40Habakkuk 1:5quotation

Quoted as a solemn warning against rejecting God's work, drawing on prophetic judgment.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v46Acts 18:6thematic

Parallel transition in Corinth where Paul opposes blaspheming Jews and turns to the Gentiles.

v46Acts 28:28thematic

Paul's final solemn declaration in Rome turning to the Gentiles due to Jewish unbelief.

v51Matthew 10:14thematic

Direct obedience to Jesus' command to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony.

v1Galatians 2:9thematic

Barnabas and Saul recognized as key teachers/apostles, maintaining fellowship and mutual ministry partitions.

Supported by John Calvin

v1Ephesians 4:11thematic

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

v2Hebrews 5:4thematic

Underlines the divine authority of the call, proving the supreme divinity of the Holy Spirit.

Supported by JFB

v2Romans 1:1thematic

Paul describes himself as 'separated unto the gospel of God,' echoing his Antioch separation.

Supported by JFB

v14Acts 13:27thematic

The regular reading of the prophets in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v211 Samuel 8:5-22thematic

The historical account of Israel desiring a king, which Paul references at the start.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v22Acts 13:36thematic

Connects David's temporal service and death to the eternal, incorruptible reign of Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v232 Samuel 7:12fulfillment

The foundational covenant promise that God would raise up David's seed to establish his kingdom.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v27Acts 2:27thematic

Peter's Pentecost sermon uses the same Davidic resurrection proof from Psalm 16.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v39Romans 3:20thematic

Confirms the inability of the Mosaic law to justify, emphasizing faith in Christ.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v46Romans 1:16thematic

Theological principle that the gospel must be offered to the Jew first, then the Greek.

v46Acts 13:26thematic

Reinforces Paul's earlier statement in this sermon that the word of salvation was sent to them.

v46Matthew 21:43thematic

Jesus' warning that the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to others.

v48Ephesians 1:4thematic

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.

v1Luke 8:3thematic

Connects Manaen's courtly association (Herod's foster brother) with other royal connections like Chuza.

Supported by JFB

v3Acts 6:6thematic

The laying on of hands as the solemn apostolic commissioning of those chosen.

Supported by JFB

v3Acts 14:26thematic

Explains 'sent them away' as recommending them to the grace of God for their work.

Supported by JFB

v13Acts 15:38thematic

Details the fallout of John Mark's departure from them at Pamphylia.

Supported by JFB

v18Deuteronomy 1:31allusion

Paul's phrasing of God 'bearing' or 'suffering' Israel in the wilderness echoes Moses' words.

Supported by JFB

v19Deuteronomy 7:1allusion

Explicitly names the seven nations of Canaan that God destroyed before Israel.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v24Matthew 3:11allusion

Echoes John's declaration of baptism and unworthiness to loose the Messiah's sandals.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v26Acts 13:46thematic

Illustrates the progression of preaching 'this salvation' to Jews first, then to Gentiles.

Supported by Matthew Poole