Bible Commentaries
Acts 13

Verse 1

1 Act 13:1. I shall quote from the Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia: "Antioch in Syria, the second capital of Christianity, and the third city of the Roman Empire in population (500,000), wealth, and commercial activity, was situated about 300 miles north of Jerusalem, upon the left bank of the Orontes, and 16 miles from the Mediterranean." The importance of this city is indicated by the fact that Paul had it for his starting place for the "missionary journeys" that he made, returning each time to report his work to the church there. It was the place where the disciples first called themselves Christians (chapter 11:26). The church there was strong in numhers and talented men, including the ones whose names are mentioned in this verse.

Verse 2

2 Act 13:2. See the notes on Mat 6:16 on the subject of fasting. The Holy Ghost speaks only through men, so this instruction was made through one of the prophets in the church. Separate is from APHORIZO which Thayer defines, "To appoint, set apart, one for some purpose." Barnabas and Saul were to be thus appointed for a special work to which the Lord had called them.

Verse 3

3 Act 13:3. We know from chapter 8:18 that it required the laying on of an apostle's hands to confer any miraculous gift. Besides, Saul was already an apostle -of Christ with the power to confer such gifts, hence no hands were laid on him for that purpose. But since such a manual act was used . in those days for that important office, it came to be also a gesture of approval, similar to giving the "right hand of fellowship" (Gal 2:9). The church at Antioch sent them on this mission, which is one of the meanings of being an apostle.

Verse 4

4 Act 13:4. The Holy Ghost sent them forth by speaking through the church. This was the start of the first "missionary journey." Seleucia was a seaport town, from where they sailed to Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Verse 5

5 Act 13:5. Salamis was one of the two chief cities of Cyprus, situated on its eastern coast. Here the missionaries preached in the synagogue of the Jews because they could meet people there. It Was John Mark who was going with them as a minister. The original for that word is defined in the lexicon, "Any one who serves with his hands, a servant" John Mark went with them as an attendant to do whatever service that was needed.

Verse 6

6 Act 13:6. Paphos was the other chief city of the island and it was situated on the western shore. Sorcerer is from MAGOS which is the word for "wise men" in Mat 2:1. See the notes at that place for a fuller explanation of the word. This sorcerer was using whatever talent of wisdom he had to make false predictions and to oppose the truth. Bar-Jesus was the proper name given to this man as his personal name. Elymas (verse 8) was a common noun applied to him because of some special meaning derived from the name.

Verse 7

7 Act 13:7. -Sergius Paulus was the deputy (acting governor) of the island, which was a part of the Roman Empire. This man was prudent (very intelligent) and wished to hear what Barnabas and Saul were preaching.

Verse 8

8 Act 13:8. Elymas the sorcerer (See verse 6) was associated with the deputy in some way, and tried to prevent him from believing the Gospel. He was a Jew by race, and feared that if the deputy became a believer it would affect his standing with him.

Verse 9

9 Act 13:9. Also is called Paul. A common but erroneous saying is that Saul's name was changed to Paul. The text only says that he was also called Paul. Thayer says that Saul was his Jewish name, while Paul (from PAULUS) was a Latin proper name. From here on the name Saul will not be applied to him except historically when referring to his conversion. Filled with the Holy Ghost. (See notes at chapter 4:31.)

Verse 10

0 Act 13:10. Subtilty means deceitfulness, which the sorcerer used with a mischievous motive. Child of the devil. The first word is explained at Joh 17:12.

Verse 11

1 Act 13:11. Hand of the Lord was said to let the deputy know that he (Paul) was working under Him. A man who is so blind that he cannot see even the sun is certainly very much so, although this was to be on this man only for a season. This miracle was immediate, as all of them were that the Lord brought to pass. The fact the man sought for someone to lead him proved the genuineness of the deed.

Verse 12

2 Act 13:12. The deputy believed when he saw the miracle. That was according to the Lord's purpose for miracles, stated in Joh 20:30-31.

Verse 13

3 Act 13:13. Pamphylia was in Asia Minor, and was a province of the Roman Empire. We are not told why John (Mark) deserted them, but the act was so distasteful to Paul that it later caused a serious dispute between him and Barnabas (chapter 15:37-40).

Verse 14

4 Act 13:14. Pisidia was another province in Asia Minor adjoining Pam-phylia, in which the present Antioch was situated. The Jews assembled in the synagogues on the sabbath day to hear the reading of the law, since copies of it were scarce and only a few people could possess it. The preachers went into it because it gave them an opportunity to speak to the people about the Gospel. It was the custom to invite persons in the audience to speak, after the reading service was completed.

Verse 15

5 Act 13:15. Sent unto them, saying. The first word is from APOSTELLO, which Thayer defines at this place, "to say through a messenger." In a large room and in a numerous gathering of people, it would be more courteous and orderly for the rulers at the front of the auditorium to have a messenger go to the visitor and personally invite him to speak.

Verse 16

6 Act 13:16. Paul stood up according to the custom in that community for public speakers. Beckoning with his hand was a gesture as an invitation or request for the people to give their attention to him. Ye that fear God was not said in flattery, but was an honest comment based on the fact that they were at that place for the purpose of hearing the reading of the law of God.

Verse 17

7 Act 13:17. As a preparation for his main subject, the story of Christ, Paul rehearsed the history of the Jews, beginning with their sojourn in Egypt. High arm means one of great might and authority.

Verse 18

8 Act 13:18. Suffered he their manners means that God tolerated them, not that He endorsed them. Instead, He frequently punished them for their sins.

Verse 19

9 Act 13:19. The seven nations are named in Deu 7:1. Joshua conquered 31 kings (chapter 12:24), but many of them ruled only over single cities. The seven nations were important groups in Canaan. The division of the land is in Joshua, chapters 15, 16 and 17, and the division was decided by means of the lot.

Verse 20

0 Act 13:20. This is the only passage that states the entire period of the judges. Until Samuel is said because he was the last one of the judges (1Sa 7:15).

Verse 21

1 Act 13:21. This is the only passage that states the length of Saul's reign.

Verse 22

2 Act 13:22. The throne was not only removed from Saul's house but also from his tribe (Benjamin), and given to David of the tribe of Judah. It remained in that tribe as long as the kingdom existed.

Verse 23

3 Act 13:23. The importance of David was due to the fact that he was to become the ancestor, both fleshly and spiritually, of the Saviour of Israel and all the world.

Verse 24

4 Act 13:24. John had first preached refers to the work of John as the forerunner of Jesus, baptizing people in preparation for His service. Baptism of repentance means that John baptized those only who repented. (See Mat 3:7-8.)

Verse 25

5 Act 13:25. This verse is explained at Joh 1:19-27.

Verse 26

6 Act 13:26. Paul was showing these Jews that they were the ones who were first to be concerned in the promise made to Abraham. (See verse 46.)

Verse 27

7 Act 13:27. The leaders among the Jews did not know (recognize) Jesus nor the prophecies that went before concerning h i m. Notwithstanding, when they condemned him (Jesus), they fulfilled them (the prophecies that foretold that condemnation).

Verse 28

8 Act 13:28. In spite of there being no charge sustained against Jesus, the Jews called for his death. In so doing they fulfilled the prophecies about him. (See verse 27.)

Verse 29

9 Act 13:29. The pronoun they refers to both the enemies and the friends of Jesus, for it was the friends who placed him in the tomb. But the next verse shows that the enemies were still interested in His death, for they placed a guard about the tomb in the hope that he would not be able to come out alive. In this sense they laid him in the tomb.

Verse 30

0 Act 13:30. This brief verse means that God overruled the acts and expectations of the Jews, by raising his Son to life.

Verse 31

1 Act 13:31. As a rebuke to the murderers of Jesus, God saw to it that many "disinterested" people would have full opportunity to see Jesus after his resurrection.

Verse 32

3 Verses 32, 33. Glad tidings is another term for "Gospel," and Paul was announcing it to this synagogue audience. Second Psalm. The quotation stated by Paul can be found in no other place than the Psalm that is so numbered today. This proves that the Book of Psalms was arranged as to chapter numbers then the same as today.

Verse 34

4 Act 13:34. No more to return to corruption means that Jesus arose from the dead to die no more. Sure mercies of David. The second word is from HOSIOS which Thayer defines at this place, "The holy things (of God) promised to David." These things included the resurrection of his illustrious descendant, Jesus, to die no more.

Verse 35

6 Act 13:35-36. Jesus was to be raised from the dead, but God also promised David that his "son" was not to remain in the grave long enough to decay. (Psa 16:9-10.)

Verse 37

7 Act 13:37. Served his own generation denotes that David did his duty in serving God in that age or generation. After doing that, however, he died and his body went back to the dust, while the One concerning whom the promise was made to David -was raised before His body had time to decay, thus fulfilling the promise made to the patriarch.

Verse 38

8 Act 13:38. This man, was said to emphasize that Christ and not David--the new law and not the old--is the only means by which one must obtain forgiveness of sins.

Verse 39

9 Act 13:39. By him has the same force as the italicized words in the preceding verse. The law of Moses could not bring the justification that is possible by belief in Christ.

Verse 40

0 Act 13:40. Paul referred to a statement in Hab 1:5.

Verse 41

1 Act 13:41. The prophet was writing about ancient Israel and the judgments that were brought upon them through the Chaldeans. Paul warned the Jews in his audience that a like judgment might come upon them. It was similar to his statements in Rom 15:4 and 1Co 10:11.

Verse 42

2 Act 13:42. The synagogues were public places and came to be attended by Gentiles as visitors. They were less prejudiced than the Jews and wished to hear more of the subject that Paul was preaching. Next sabbath would be the next gathering in the synagogue.

Verse 43

3 Act 13:43. Congregation is from the same Greek word as synagogue. (See the notes at Mat 4:23.) The more favorable among the Jews, also the Gentiles who had become proselytes to the Jewish faith, were so well impressed that they accompanied Paul and Barnabas as they went on their way out into the city. Seeing their attitude, Paul encouraged them to continue in the good life they were following. He was not ready to make a direct appeal for them to take their stand for the Gospel; that will come soon.

Verse 44

4 Act 13:44. In the week following the events just mentioned, the news of them was spread so that a large crowd came the next sabbath to hear the word.

Verse 45

5 Act 13:45. No outspoken opposition was manifested against the preaching of Paul until the Jews saw the great throng of people. Their envy was so bitter that they even blasphemed the work of the preachers, denying the truths they were uttering.

Verse 46

6 Act 13:46. The Gospel was intended for the whole world, but the Jews were to be given the "first chance" for it. Indeed, it was not even offered to the Gentiles until the case of Cornelius. And on that principle Paul made his first appeals to the Jews in his preaching. But when they rejected the favor, Paul considered it as rendering themselves unworthy of everlasting life. In turning to the Gentiles he was acting in keeping with the events of chapter 10.

Verse 47

7 Act 13:47. Paul verified his work by quoting Isa 49:6.

Verse 48

8 Act 13:48. Gentiles heard this means the announcement of Paul that he was turning to them with the word of God. The Bible does not contradict itself, and the whole of God's dealings with man shows that no person will be either saved or lost by any predestined decree, but that all who will may be saved. The passages on the subject are too numerous to be cited here, but the reader should see 2Pe 3:9. All of the words in our verse are correctly translated, but the construction of the sentence is inaccurate. The proper form is, "As many as believed were ordained to eternal life," and the reader should see the notes at Joh 15:16 on the word "ordain."

Verse 49

9 Act 13:49. This publishing of the word was due to the conversion of the Gentiles throughout that territory, who repeated the good news to others.

Verse 50

0 Act 13:50. These devout and honorable women were of the better class of citizens, who generally had much respect for established law. The Jews worked on their emotions and got them so excited that they became uneasy about the work of Paul and Bar-nabas. The result of the excitement was a movement of persecution against the preachers. This expelling was not a formal or legal act, but a persecuting one that forced them to leave.

Verse 51

1 Act 13:51. Shook off the dust. (See the notes on Mat 10:14.) Iconium was a large city in the next province, a place of many wealthy people.

Verse 52

2 Act 13:52. Notwithstanding the opposition of the envious Jews the disciples were happy. (See the notes on chapter 4:31 on being filled with the Holy Ghost.)