Now 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.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
And 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.
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar–jesus:
Which 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.
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
And 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?
And 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.
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
And 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.
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
The 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.
And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
And 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.
And 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.
Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
And 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.
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
For 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.
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
But God raised him from the dead:
And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
God 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.
And 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.
Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
For 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:
But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
Behold, 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.
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Now 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.
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Then 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.
For 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.
And 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.
And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
But 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.
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 13 marks a pivotal shift in the narrative of Acts. While the early chapters focus on the ministry of Peter and the apostles in Jerusalem and Judea, this chapter introduces the ministry of Paul and Barnabas as they embark on their first missionary journey. This journey fulfills Jesus' commission in Acts 1:8 to take the Gospel to the "end of the earth." Luke's account will follow Paul through two more missionary journeys (Acts 15:36—18:22 and 18:23—20:38) before detailing his return to Jerusalem, his arrest, and his voyage to Rome (Acts 21—28). Acts 13 recounts the calling of Paul and Barnabas to missions beyond Syrian Antioch and their travels to the island of Cyprus and up into the heart of modern-day Asia Minor (eastern Turkey). In this short time, Barnabas and Paul face opposition, abandonment, and slander. The chapter begins with the Holy Spirit setting the two aside for ministry to the Gentiles and ends with affirmation of that mission.
Called and Set Apart (Acts 13:1-3)
The church in Antioch was a vibrant hub of ministry, blessed with prophets (who often traveled) and teachers (who instructed within the local church). Acts 13:1-3 introduces us to the leadership team, which included Barnabas and Saul, as well as Simeon, called Niger (meaning "black" or "dark"), and Lucius of Cyrene (a city in North Africa). This detail highlights the multiethnic nature of the early church, a powerful testament to the unifying power of the Gospel. It's a reminder that the church of Jesus Christ was intended and destined to be a racially mixed group (Revelation 7:9).
During a time of corporate worship and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke directly to the church, instructing them to "set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2). This demonstrates the importance of seeking God's will through prayer and fasting as a community. The laying on of hands by the other leaders, including Simeon and Lucius, signified official recognition of the Spirit’s call and endorsement of their ministry (Acts 13:3). This act highlights the importance of both individual calling and communal affirmation in Christian ministry.
Ministry in Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)
Obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading, Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark (Barnabas' cousin) set sail for Cyprus, Barnabas's home territory (Acts 4:36). They traveled to Seleucia on the Mediterranean coast, and from there they sailed to the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:4). Upon arrival, they began preaching in the Jewish synagogues (Acts 13:5), a practice that would become their standard approach. They traversed the length of the island, from Salamis in the east to Paphos in the west, proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
In Paphos, they encountered a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas (Acts 13:6, 8). This man, whose name ironically meant "son of Jesus," was influencing the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, and attempting to dissuade him from listening to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:7-8).
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul confronted Elymas, exposing his deceit and pronouncing a temporary blindness upon him (Acts 13:9-11). This decisive action served as a powerful demonstration of God's power and truth. Seeing this, the proconsul believed (Acts 13:12). This encounter underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance of standing firm against those who oppose the Gospel. It is a reminder that the Lord will fulfill all of his sovereign purposes. The question is this: Will he accomplish his will through your obedience resulting in your blessing, or in spite of your rebellion resulting in your shame? It’s your choice.
It is also in Cyprus that Saul takes on his Roman name, Paul (Acts 13:9). From this point forward, he is primarily referred to as Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13).
Transition and Preaching in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-41)
From Cyprus, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). It was here that John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). The reason for his departure is not explicitly stated, but it likely stemmed from the rigors of the journey and the challenges of the ministry. This event would later cause tension between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40), highlighting the complexities of human relationships within ministry. However, God would eventually reconcile Paul to John Mark and find his ministry helpful (see 2 Timothy 4:11).
Paul and Barnabas continued to Pisidian Antioch (not to be confused with Syrian Antioch where their sending church was located; see Acts 13:1). As was their custom, they went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and were invited to speak (Acts 13:14-15).
What follows is the only recorded sermon of Paul's given in a synagogue. Paul began with a review of Israel's history, emphasizing God's faithfulness in choosing and guiding His people. He highlighted key figures like Moses, David, and ultimately, Jesus, whom he presented as the fulfillment of God's promises and the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament (Acts 13:16-25). Paul emphasized the sovereign hand of God in Israel’s history. He reminded his Jewish listeners of how God made the Israelites into a prosperous nation in Egypt and rescued them from slavery there (Acts 13:17). He destroyed wicked nations in Canaan, gave his people the land, and appointed for them leaders—judges and later kings (Acts 13:18-22). From the descendants of King David, God brought Israel the Savior, Jesus, just as he promised David (Acts 13:23; see 2 Samuel 7:11-16). Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s Old Testament promises to send a Messiah.
He then addressed the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus by the leaders in Jerusalem, but proclaimed the good news of His resurrection and the forgiveness of sins offered through faith in Him (Acts 13:26-39). Though God had sent Israel salvation through Jesus, the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers rejected him and handed him over to the Romans to be put to death on a cross (Acts 13:26-29). But God raised him from the dead, and he appeared to many witnesses—including Paul (Acts 13:30-31). The Lord had prophesied through David of the resurrection. However, David had not been speaking about himself rising from the dead but about his descendant, the Messiah, God’s Holy One (Acts 13:34-35; see commentary on 2:24-31). David decayed in his tomb; Jesus did not decay and walked out of his (Acts 13:35-37).
Having explained how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament, Paul applied his message to his Jewish listeners. Through [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed (Acts 13:38). If a person believes in Jesus as the one who died for his sins, he is justified through him from everything that one could not be justified from through the law of Moses (Acts 13:39). The law was unable to set anyone free. All it could do was show people the problem of sin in their hearts. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can justify—make us right before God.
Paul concluded by warning them not to scoff at what God was doing, like many of the Jews in Jerusalem had done (Acts 13:40-41).
Rejection and Expansion (Acts 13:42-52)
The response to Paul's message was mixed. Many Gentiles were eager to hear more, and the following Sabbath, almost the whole town gathered to hear the word of the Lord (Acts 13:42-44). However, the Jewish leaders, filled with jealousy, began to contradict Paul's message and insult him (Acts 13:45). Just as the Jewish leaders had been jealous of Jesus (see Mark 15:10), these Jews were jealous when they observed Paul drawing larger crowds than they ever had. So they contradicted Paul’s message and insulted him (13:45).
Paul and Barnabas boldly declared that since the Jews had rejected the Gospel, they would now turn to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-47). That was the last straw for Paul. He had delivered the gospel message to the Jews first (Acts 13:46) because God had made a covenant with them, given them his Word, and brought the Messiah into the world through Israel. But since they considered themselves unworthy of eternal life by rejecting God’s offer, Paul determined to take the gospel straight to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46). It had always been God’s plan to bring his salvation to all people (Acts 13:47; see Isaiah 49:6). And here, through the apostle Paul, the Gentile mission was about to start in earnest.
This marked a significant turning point in the spread of the Gospel, as the focus shifted towards reaching the Gentile world. The Gentiles were overjoyed (Acts 13:48). Even though the Jews incited people to persecute Paul and Barnabas and kick them out, the word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region (Acts 13:49-50). Don’t miss that the gospel prevails in spite of opposition. No matter how much unbelievers seek to silence Jesus’s followers, God’s Word can’t be stopped. So Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet—a sign of the coming judgment against these unbelievers because of their rebellion—and departed (Acts 13:51). The new disciples, however, were filled with joy. When the Holy Spirit is doing his work within you, you can experience internal peace and joy regardless of your external circumstances (Acts 13:52).
Despite the opposition, the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). This highlights the resilience and power of the Gospel, which can thrive even in the face of adversity. It's a powerful reminder that our joy and strength come from the Holy Spirit, not from our circumstances.
Now 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.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
And 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.
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar–jesus:
Which 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.
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
And 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?
And 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.
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
And 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.
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
The 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.
And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
And 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.
And 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.
Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
And 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.
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
For 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.
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
But God raised him from the dead:
And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
God 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.
And 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.
Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
For 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:
But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
Behold, 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.
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Now 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.
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Then 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.
For 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.
And 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.
And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
But 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.
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 13 marks a pivotal shift in the narrative of Acts. While the early chapters focus on the ministry of Peter and the apostles in Jerusalem and Judea, this chapter introduces the ministry of Paul and Barnabas as they embark on their first missionary journey. This journey fulfills Jesus' commission in Acts 1:8 to take the Gospel to the "end of the earth." Luke's account will follow Paul through two more missionary journeys (Acts 15:36—18:22 and 18:23—20:38) before detailing his return to Jerusalem, his arrest, and his voyage to Rome (Acts 21—28). Acts 13 recounts the calling of Paul and Barnabas to missions beyond Syrian Antioch and their travels to the island of Cyprus and up into the heart of modern-day Asia Minor (eastern Turkey). In this short time, Barnabas and Paul face opposition, abandonment, and slander. The chapter begins with the Holy Spirit setting the two aside for ministry to the Gentiles and ends with affirmation of that mission.
Called and Set Apart (Acts 13:1-3)
The church in Antioch was a vibrant hub of ministry, blessed with prophets (who often traveled) and teachers (who instructed within the local church). Acts 13:1-3 introduces us to the leadership team, which included Barnabas and Saul, as well as Simeon, called Niger (meaning "black" or "dark"), and Lucius of Cyrene (a city in North Africa). This detail highlights the multiethnic nature of the early church, a powerful testament to the unifying power of the Gospel. It's a reminder that the church of Jesus Christ was intended and destined to be a racially mixed group (Revelation 7:9).
During a time of corporate worship and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke directly to the church, instructing them to "set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2). This demonstrates the importance of seeking God's will through prayer and fasting as a community. The laying on of hands by the other leaders, including Simeon and Lucius, signified official recognition of the Spirit’s call and endorsement of their ministry (Acts 13:3). This act highlights the importance of both individual calling and communal affirmation in Christian ministry.
Ministry in Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)
Obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading, Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark (Barnabas' cousin) set sail for Cyprus, Barnabas's home territory (Acts 4:36). They traveled to Seleucia on the Mediterranean coast, and from there they sailed to the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:4). Upon arrival, they began preaching in the Jewish synagogues (Acts 13:5), a practice that would become their standard approach. They traversed the length of the island, from Salamis in the east to Paphos in the west, proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
In Paphos, they encountered a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas (Acts 13:6, 8). This man, whose name ironically meant "son of Jesus," was influencing the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, and attempting to dissuade him from listening to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:7-8).
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul confronted Elymas, exposing his deceit and pronouncing a temporary blindness upon him (Acts 13:9-11). This decisive action served as a powerful demonstration of God's power and truth. Seeing this, the proconsul believed (Acts 13:12). This encounter underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance of standing firm against those who oppose the Gospel. It is a reminder that the Lord will fulfill all of his sovereign purposes. The question is this: Will he accomplish his will through your obedience resulting in your blessing, or in spite of your rebellion resulting in your shame? It’s your choice.
It is also in Cyprus that Saul takes on his Roman name, Paul (Acts 13:9). From this point forward, he is primarily referred to as Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13).
Transition and Preaching in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-41)
From Cyprus, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). It was here that John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). The reason for his departure is not explicitly stated, but it likely stemmed from the rigors of the journey and the challenges of the ministry. This event would later cause tension between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40), highlighting the complexities of human relationships within ministry. However, God would eventually reconcile Paul to John Mark and find his ministry helpful (see 2 Timothy 4:11).
Paul and Barnabas continued to Pisidian Antioch (not to be confused with Syrian Antioch where their sending church was located; see Acts 13:1). As was their custom, they went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and were invited to speak (Acts 13:14-15).
What follows is the only recorded sermon of Paul's given in a synagogue. Paul began with a review of Israel's history, emphasizing God's faithfulness in choosing and guiding His people. He highlighted key figures like Moses, David, and ultimately, Jesus, whom he presented as the fulfillment of God's promises and the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament (Acts 13:16-25). Paul emphasized the sovereign hand of God in Israel’s history. He reminded his Jewish listeners of how God made the Israelites into a prosperous nation in Egypt and rescued them from slavery there (Acts 13:17). He destroyed wicked nations in Canaan, gave his people the land, and appointed for them leaders—judges and later kings (Acts 13:18-22). From the descendants of King David, God brought Israel the Savior, Jesus, just as he promised David (Acts 13:23; see 2 Samuel 7:11-16). Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s Old Testament promises to send a Messiah.
He then addressed the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus by the leaders in Jerusalem, but proclaimed the good news of His resurrection and the forgiveness of sins offered through faith in Him (Acts 13:26-39). Though God had sent Israel salvation through Jesus, the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers rejected him and handed him over to the Romans to be put to death on a cross (Acts 13:26-29). But God raised him from the dead, and he appeared to many witnesses—including Paul (Acts 13:30-31). The Lord had prophesied through David of the resurrection. However, David had not been speaking about himself rising from the dead but about his descendant, the Messiah, God’s Holy One (Acts 13:34-35; see commentary on 2:24-31). David decayed in his tomb; Jesus did not decay and walked out of his (Acts 13:35-37).
Having explained how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament, Paul applied his message to his Jewish listeners. Through [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed (Acts 13:38). If a person believes in Jesus as the one who died for his sins, he is justified through him from everything that one could not be justified from through the law of Moses (Acts 13:39). The law was unable to set anyone free. All it could do was show people the problem of sin in their hearts. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can justify—make us right before God.
Paul concluded by warning them not to scoff at what God was doing, like many of the Jews in Jerusalem had done (Acts 13:40-41).
Rejection and Expansion (Acts 13:42-52)
The response to Paul's message was mixed. Many Gentiles were eager to hear more, and the following Sabbath, almost the whole town gathered to hear the word of the Lord (Acts 13:42-44). However, the Jewish leaders, filled with jealousy, began to contradict Paul's message and insult him (Acts 13:45). Just as the Jewish leaders had been jealous of Jesus (see Mark 15:10), these Jews were jealous when they observed Paul drawing larger crowds than they ever had. So they contradicted Paul’s message and insulted him (13:45).
Paul and Barnabas boldly declared that since the Jews had rejected the Gospel, they would now turn to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-47). That was the last straw for Paul. He had delivered the gospel message to the Jews first (Acts 13:46) because God had made a covenant with them, given them his Word, and brought the Messiah into the world through Israel. But since they considered themselves unworthy of eternal life by rejecting God’s offer, Paul determined to take the gospel straight to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46). It had always been God’s plan to bring his salvation to all people (Acts 13:47; see Isaiah 49:6). And here, through the apostle Paul, the Gentile mission was about to start in earnest.
This marked a significant turning point in the spread of the Gospel, as the focus shifted towards reaching the Gentile world. The Gentiles were overjoyed (Acts 13:48). Even though the Jews incited people to persecute Paul and Barnabas and kick them out, the word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region (Acts 13:49-50). Don’t miss that the gospel prevails in spite of opposition. No matter how much unbelievers seek to silence Jesus’s followers, God’s Word can’t be stopped. So Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet—a sign of the coming judgment against these unbelievers because of their rebellion—and departed (Acts 13:51). The new disciples, however, were filled with joy. When the Holy Spirit is doing his work within you, you can experience internal peace and joy regardless of your external circumstances (Acts 13:52).
Despite the opposition, the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). This highlights the resilience and power of the Gospel, which can thrive even in the face of adversity. It's a powerful reminder that our joy and strength come from the Holy Spirit, not from our circumstances.