Acts13
New International Version
1Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
4The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
7who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
8But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
10“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?
11Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
13From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
14From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.
15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
16Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!
17The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country;
18for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness;
19and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance.
20All this took about 450 years. “After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.
21Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.
22After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
23“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.
24Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.
25As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
26“Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
27The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
28Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
29When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.
30But God raised him from the dead,
31and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
32“We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors
33he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’
34God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
35So it is also stated elsewhere: “‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’
36“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.
37But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
38“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
39Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
40Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41“‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”
42As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.
43When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
46Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
50But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
51So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium.
52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
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