CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Acts 13
Chapter 13 of 28
Chapter Overview
What happens in Acts 13
The Holy Spirit commissions Barnabas and Saul from the church at Antioch, launching the first organized missionary journey. They travel through Cyprus and into Asia Minor, where Paul delivers a major synagogue sermon in Antioch of Pisidia tracing God's salvation history from the exodus to the resurrection of Jesus. When the Jews reject the message, Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles.
Scripture
Acts 13
Barnabas and Saul Commissioned
Study note
The church at Antioch includes a diverse group of prophets and teachers. While they are worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit speaks, setting apart Barnabas and Saul for a specific work. After additional fasting and prayer, the church lays hands on them and sends them off, marking the beginning of the first missionary journey.
1 The church in Antioch had several prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon (nicknamed Niger), Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen (who had grown up alongside Herod the ruler), and Saul. 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.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and going without food in prayer, the Holy Spirit spoke: "I have a special job for Barnabas and Saul. Set them apart for the work I have planned for them." 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.
3 After more fasting and prayer, the others laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them on their way. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Ministry on Cyprus
Study note
Barnabas and Saul, accompanied by John Mark, sail to Cyprus and preach in the synagogues of Salamis. In Paphos they encounter a Jewish sorcerer named Bar-Jesus who opposes them before the Roman governor Sergius Paulus. Saul, now called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, pronounces temporary blindness on the sorcerer. The governor sees this and believes, amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
4 Sent out by the Holy Spirit, the two of them traveled down to Seleucia and caught a boat to the island of Cyprus. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5 When they landed at Salamis, they preached God's message in the Jewish synagogues. John Mark was with them, helping out. 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.
6 They traveled across the whole island until they reached Paphos. There they ran into a Jewish man named Bar-jesus who practiced sorcery and claimed to be a prophet. 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:
7 This man worked closely with the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was a smart man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul in because he wanted to hear God's message. 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.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (that is what his name means) fought against them. He tried to turn the governor away from believing. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul -- also known as Paul -- filled with the Holy Spirit, looked Elymas straight in the eye Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 and said, "You are completely full of lies and evil! You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is good! When will you stop twisting what God has made straight?" 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?
11 "Right now, the Lord's hand is against you. You are going to be blind for a while -- you will not even be able to see the sun." Instantly, a fog and darkness came over Elymas, and he stumbled around grabbing for someone to lead him. 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.
12 When the governor saw what happened, he believed. The teaching about the Lord had completely amazed him. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Paul's Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia
Study note
After John Mark departs, Paul and Barnabas travel to Antioch in Pisidia and enter the synagogue on the Sabbath. Paul delivers a comprehensive sermon tracing Israel's history from the exodus through the judges, kings, and David, to the coming of Jesus as the promised Savior. He declares Jesus' death and resurrection as the fulfillment of God's promises, quoting Psalm 2, Isaiah 55, and Psalm 16. Paul proclaims forgiveness of sins and justification through faith in Jesus that the law of Moses could never provide, and warns against rejecting this message.
13 Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia. That is where John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
14 From Perga, they continued to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath, they walked into the synagogue and took a seat. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent a message to them. It said, "Friends, if you have anything helpful to say to the people, please go ahead." 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.
16 Paul stood up and held up his hand. He said, "Fellow Israelites and everyone here who honors God -- listen to me!" Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
17 "The God of Israel chose our ancestors. He built them into a great nation while they were living in Egypt, and then he brought them out of there with his mighty power." 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.
18 "For about forty years, he put up with their complaining in the wilderness." And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19 "Then he wiped out seven nations in the land of Chanaan. He gave their land to our people as their own." And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
20 "After that, he gave them judges to lead them for about four hundred and fifty years. This lasted until the time of the prophet Samuel." And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21 "Then the people demanded a king, so God gave them Saul, the son of Cis, from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul ruled for forty years." 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.
22 "After God removed Saul from the throne, he made David their king. God said this about David: 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man whose heart matches my own. He will carry out everything I want him to do.'" 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.
23 "From David's family line, God gave Israel a Savior -- Jesus -- just as he had promised." Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
24 "Before Jesus came, John told everyone in Israel to be baptized and to turn away from their sins." When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 "Near the end of his ministry, John said, 'I am not the one you have been waiting for. But he is coming soon -- and I am not even important enough to untie his sandals.'" 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.
26 "My brothers from Abraham's family -- listen! And all non-Jewish people here who honor God -- listen! This message of saving grace was sent for you!" Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
27 "The people living in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus for who he was. They did not understand what the prophets meant, even though those writings are read out loud every Sabbath. By condemning Jesus, they made those prophecies come true." 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.
28 "Even though they could not find a single crime he had committed, they demanded that Pilate sentence him to death." And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29 "After they had done everything the scriptures said would happen, they took his body down from the cross and placed it in a tomb." And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30 "But God raised him from the dead!" But God raised him from the dead:
31 "Over the course of many days, Jesus appeared to the people who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Those people are now his witnesses, telling everyone what they saw." And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32 "And this is the good news we bring to you: the promise God made to our ancestors" And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 "he has now kept for us, their children, by raising Jesus back to life. The second psalm says it: 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father.'" 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.
34 "God raised Jesus from the dead permanently -- his body will never decay. God expressed it this way: 'I will give you the faithful and sure blessings promised to David.'" 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.
35 "Another psalm confirms this: 'You will not allow your Holy One's body to rot away.'" Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
36 "Now David served God's purposes during his own lifetime. Then he died, was buried with his ancestors, and his body did decay." 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:
37 "But the one God raised from the dead -- his body never decayed at all." But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
38 "So pay close attention, friends -- this is the heart of my message: through Jesus, your sins can be forgiven." Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 "Everyone who believes in Jesus is made completely right with God. The law of Moses was never able to do that for you." And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 "So be careful that what the prophets warned about does not happen to you:" Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41 "'Pay attention, you who mock! Be shocked and then disappear! Because I am doing something in your day that you would never believe, even if someone explained it to you in detail.'" 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.
Turning to the Gentiles
Study note
The Gentiles beg to hear more the following Sabbath, and many Jews and converts follow Paul and Barnabas. When nearly the whole city gathers the next week, the Jews become jealous and speak against Paul. Paul and Barnabas boldly declare that since the Jews reject the word of God and judge themselves unworthy of eternal life, they are turning to the Gentiles, citing Isaiah's prophecy about being a light to the nations. The Gentiles rejoice and many believe, but Jewish opposition drives Paul and Barnabas from the region. The disciples remain filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
42 Paul and Barnabas were leaving the place of worship. The non-Jewish people begged them to come back next Sabbath. They wanted to hear more. And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43 After the service ended, many Jews and devout converts started following Paul and Barnabas. The two apostles spent time talking with them, urging them to keep holding on to God's grace. 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.
44 When the next Sabbath came around, it seemed like practically the entire city came to hear God's message. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45 But when the Jewish leaders saw the massive crowds, they got extremely jealous. They started arguing against Paul and insulting him. 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.
46 Paul and Barnabas did not back down. They said, "It was right to bring God's message to you Jewish people first. But since you are pushing it away and deciding that you are not worthy of eternal life, we are turning to the non-Jewish people instead." 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.
47 "After all, the Lord gave us this command: 'I have made you a light for the non-Jewish nations. You will carry salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 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.
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were thrilled and praised the Lord's message. Everyone who was destined for eternal life became a believer. 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.
49 The Lord's message spread across that whole region. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50 But the Jewish leaders stirred up some wealthy, prominent women and important men of the city against Paul and Barnabas. They launched a persecution and forced them out of the area. 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.
51 Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet as a sign against them and traveled on to Iconium. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 The new believers they left behind were overflowing with joy and with the Holy Spirit. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Key Themes
Themes in Acts 13
The Holy Spirit directing mission workGod's salvation history fulfilled in JesusJustification by faith apart from the lawThe gospel offered to the GentilesJoy in the midst of persecution
Prophetic Connections
How this chapter points to Christ
Acts 13:33 Psalm 2:7
Paul quotes the psalm declaring 'You are my Son; today I have begotten you,' applying it to God's raising of Jesus from the dead as the fulfillment of his promise.
Acts 13:34 Isaiah 55:3
Paul cites Isaiah's promise of the sure mercies of David to support the claim that Jesus' resurrection fulfills God's covenant promises.
Acts 13:35 Psalm 16:10
Paul quotes David's psalm about God not allowing his Holy One to see decay, arguing that this was fulfilled in Christ's resurrection, not in David who decayed after death.
Acts 13:41 Habakkuk 1:5
Paul warns his hearers with Habakkuk's prophecy about God doing a work that scoffers would never believe even if someone told them.
Acts 13:47 Isaiah 49:6
Paul and Barnabas cite Isaiah's prophecy about God's servant being a light to the Gentiles and bringing salvation to the ends of the earth as their mandate for the Gentile mission.
Apply This Today
Living Acts 13
The Antioch church's willingness to send their best leaders shows that mission work requires sacrificial generosity from the home church. Paul's sermon in Pisidia demonstrates that understanding God's larger story in Scripture helps us appreciate who Jesus is and what he accomplished. The pattern of Jewish rejection leading to Gentile inclusion reminds us that God's plans are never thwarted by human opposition -- he simply opens new doors.
Go Deeper
Study Acts in Covenant Path
Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.