THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 13, Part 2, Paul Turns to the Gentiles

THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 13, Part 2

Paul Turns to the Gentiles

Paul first preaches to the Jews in this synagogue and gives a survey of Israel’s history. Paul notes important events such as the choosing of the patriarchs, the deliverance from Egypt, the time in the wilderness, the conquest of Canaan, the time of the Judges, the creation of a monarchy as it all leads up to Jesus. This sermon of Israel’s history demonstrates to the people that God has a plan for all of humankind, and we need to see the connection of that plan to our lives as Christians. Jesus is the centerpiece of all of history, and we are not just ‘in the flow’ of God’s great plan of redemption, but we are active participants and recipients. This also shows us that Christianity is not just a philosophy or a set of ethics, but that Christianity is a proclamation of facts that concern what God has done, is doing and shall be doing in this world and in our lives, and in the world to come. Then, when Paul turns to the Gentiles, the Jews become jealous and outraged, and things take a drastic turn.

Acts 13:13. Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. Verse 14. But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. Verse 15. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” Verse 16. Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: Verse 17. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it. Verse 18. For a period of about forty years He put up with them in the wilderness. Verse 19. When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan. He distributed their land as an inheritance—all of which took about 450 years. Verse 20. After these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Verse 21. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. Verse 22. After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ Verse 23. From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, verse 24, after John had proclaimed, before His coming, a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. Verse 25. And while John was completing his course, he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

Verse 26. “Brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. Verse 27. For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the declarations of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. Verse 28. And though they found no grounds for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. Verse 29. When they had carried out everything that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. Verse 30. But God raised Him from the dead; Verse 31, and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. Verse 32. And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, verse 33, that God has fulfilled this promise to those of us who are the descendants by raising Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE FATHERED YOU.’ Verse 34. As for the fact that He raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY AND FAITHFUL MERCIES OF DAVID.’ Verse 35. Therefore, He also says in another Psalm: ‘YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.’ Verse 36. For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, and was buried among his fathers and underwent decay; Verse 37, but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Verse 38. Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, verse 39, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Verse 40. Therefore, see that the thing spoken of in the Prophets does not come upon you:

Verse 41. ‘LOOK, YOU SCOFFERS, AND BE ASTONISHED, AND PERISH;

FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS,

A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.’”

(Commentary Break): This phrase is a direct quotation from Habakkuk 1:5, where the prophet warns the people of Judah about the impending Babylonian invasion. In Acts 13:41, Paul uses this Old Testament reference to address the Jewish audience in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. The term “scoffers” refers to those who mock or dismiss God’s message. Historically, scoffers were often those who rejected the prophets’ warnings, leading to their downfall. The call to “wonder and perish” serves as a stark warning that disbelief in God’s works leads to destruction. This reflects a common biblical theme where disbelief and rejection of God’s message result in judgment, as seen in the stories of Noah’s flood and Sodom and Gomorrah.

The verse is a direct appeal to the Jewish audience then, and to us today, to heed the warning and avoid the fate that befell those who ignored the prophets. It implies a personal responsibility to respond to God’s message. Historically, the Jewish people faced numerous consequences for not heeding prophetic warnings, such as the Babylonian exile. In the New Testament context, this serves as a caution against rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of prophetic revelation. (the foregoing from BibleHub.com Study Bible). (End Commentary Break).

Verse 42. As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people repeatedly begged to have these things spoken to them the next Sabbath. Verse 43. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking to them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.

(Commentary Break): An irony will become apparent, momentarily. The people (the Jews) repeatedly begged to have these things spoken to them the next Sabbath… (End Commentary Break).

Paul Turns to the Gentiles

Verse 44. The next Sabbath nearly all the city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. Verse 45. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.

(Commentary Break): The jealousy of the Jews reveals the intention of their hearts. It seems, as Paul turn to the Gentiles, as if the Jews instantly turn from desiring and following the teaching of Paul and Barnabas to contradicting them and considering them blasphemy. But it is, in reality, showing what is hidden in hearts of the unbelieving. This serves as a caution to us, today.

I can hardly tell of the many churches have I visited or attended and seen the people agree heartily with the Gospel message preached, only to show jealousy of one another or of anyone desiring to take up their place in their assembly without the tacit approval of the established hierarchy of the laity and of the clergy. It reveals the hypocrisy of pride and self-righteousness, very much like what Paul encountered among the Jews.

‘LOOK, YOU SCOFFERS, AND BE ASTONISHED, AND PERISH;

FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS,

A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.’”  (End Commentary Break).

Verse 46. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you repudiate it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. Verse 47. For so the Lord has commanded us,

‘I HAVE APPOINTED YOU AS A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES,

THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”

Verse 48. When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. Verse 49. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. Verse 50. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. Verse 51. But they shook off the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. Verse 52. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (End chapter 13).

What we are reading in chapter thirteen can be seen as part of the Spiritual battle that has raged since creation. The Gospel is being proclaimed, and the evil one is at work as well, not just proffering a counterfeit gospel, but infecting the minds and hearts of the recipients with pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness, so they hear the words but fail to understand. They receive the Gospel in their minds but their hearts remain hard and darkened by their passions and desires of the flesh.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons that, in the twenty-first century, there are over 200 different Christian denominations in the U.S., and over 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide, arising from various differences in beliefs, practices, and historical developments within Christianity.

But when Jesus returns, the Truth will be seen and known. It is up to each of us to read, study and meditate on His word and pray that we are able to dismiss the influences of our selfish passions and desires and of the world around us so we may know Him and His Words, the only True Source of Life.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 13, part 1, The First Missionary Journey.

NEXT: THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 14, Acceptance and Opposition.

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