Subscribe for Free Bible Lessons

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    ​

    Press the back button to exit subscribe form.

    Built with ConvertKit

    Acts 13:42-52
    Lesson 251
    ​
    Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

    In this lesson: 
     
    The First Missionary Journey continues.
    Paul's sermon in Antioch ends.
     
    Converts and enemies.     

    Paul and Barnabas.
    By the German painter Johann Heiss (1640-1704).
    Study Tip:
     
    As you read each lesson, scroll back and forth between the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation" below.

    Also, check the margin notes in blue and click on the links. ​

    The Acts of the Apostles

    The King James Bible    ​



    Acts 13:42-52
    Paul upsets the Jewish leaders

    42 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 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 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

    45 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 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 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 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 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

    50 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 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

    ​52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

    ​
    Margin notes:
     
    "The Gentiles besought." (13:42) - Means, "The Gentiles begged."  God's word was spreading beyond the Jewish community, and Gentiles were anxious to hear more.

    "Religious proselytes." (13:43) - Gentiles who converted to Judaism. 

    "Paul and Barnabas waxed bold." (13:46) - "Paul and Barnabas grew bold." 

    "It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you." (13:46) - Jesus told His followers not to preach to Gentiles until they reached out to Jews first (Matthew 10:5-6).  Now, it's time to teach Gentiles. 

    "We turn to the Gentiles." (13:46) - Paul and Barnabas now offer salvation to Gentiles.
     
    "I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles." (13:47) - As outlined in Isaiah 49:6 seven hundred years earlier, God's plan called for Israel to be a light to the world by giving us Jesus.  See also Luke 2:30-32. 

    "The word of the Lord was published." (13:49) - "The word of God spread."

    "Expelled them out of their coasts." (13:50) - "Ran them out of the area." 

    "They shook off the dust of their feet against them." (13:51) - In biblical times, Jews would symbolically shake the dust of an unholy place from their shoes or clothes (Acts 18:6) so as not to be sullied.  Shaking off dust while in the presence of Jews was a strong condemnation.  Perhaps Paul and Barnabas were following Jesus' instructions (Mark 6:11; Luke 10:10-11). 

    "Iconium." (13:51) - The capital of ancient Lycaonia located at the foot of Mount Taurus.  Iconium was ninety miles south-east of Antioch (a long walk for Paul and Barnabas) and one hundred twenty miles north of the Mediterranean Sea.  In biblical times, Iconium had a mixed population of Phrygians, Romans, Greeks, and Jews.  In lesson 252, Paul will flee Iconium to avoid being stoned (Acts 14:1-6).  Today Iconium is part of Turkey and is called Konya.

    "The disciples were filled with joy." (13:52) - "The converts were filled with joy." 


                                                  New Living Translation 
     

    Acts 13:42-52
     
    42 As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people begged them to speak about these things again the next week.

    43 Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God.
     
    Paul Turns to the Gentiles 
     
    44 The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord.

    45 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.
     
    46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, "It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles.

    47 For the Lord gave us this command when he said,
     
    'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.'"
     
    48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers.

    49 So the Lord's message spread throughout that region.
     
    50 Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town.

    51 So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium.

    ​52 And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

    This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible.  However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
    Today's Question:
     
    1.     Why bring the Gospel to Jews first? (13:46)



    Make God a part of your life by studying His word each day.  Your Bible has more to teach than these lessons can cover.
    Answer:  (Do you agree?) 
    ​
    1. Because it was God's plan, revealed in the Old Testament, that the world would be "blessed" through the Jewish people (Genesis 12:2-3).  Through Israel, mankind would know God.



    Application thought for the day: 
     
    Are you a light to others?      ​ ​
    Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible."  All were critical in putting these lessons together. 
    © 2021 evolke ​