13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 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 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment. 20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ 26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ 35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ 36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ” 42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” 48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Commentary
Vs. 13 “Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.”
With the apostle Paul’s strong denunciation of Elymas, and showing of the Holy Spirit’s power at Paphos, the Holy Spirit has now moved him into the lead role, with Barnabas not even garnering a mention here, though he is with them. And so, from here on out the Apostle Paul will clearly be leading. And so, it was leaving Paphos they sailed northwest to Perga in Pamphylia, which was another Roman Province with Perga being its capital. Now it was during this time that John Mark departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, were not told why he departed, but later his departure will become a rift between the apostles Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-39). But in the end Paul will reconcile himself to Mark (2 Tim 4:11).
Vs. 14-15 14 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 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
Having then departed from Perga, the apostles and their company came to Antioch in Pisidia, which was a Roman colony about a hundred miles north of Perga, and is to be distinguished from the Antioch from which they had begun their missionary travels and where church had already been established. Now though this land journey does not seem far to us, it would have been quite a travel for them, given they did this on foot, and would’ve had to make their way first through the region’s malaria plagued marshes and climate, before ascending some narrow mountain passes to get there. Having then arrived in Antioch of Pisidia they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. Now after the reading of the Law and Prophets, which was customary, the rulers of the Synagogue seeing that both the Apostles Paul and Barnabas were Jews, and that Paul was a Pharisee and Barnabas a Levite, they invited them to address the assembly there.
Vs. 16-17 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.
The apostle Paul then taking the lead now stands up and addresses the assembly, by first saying “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen…” Listen to the Word of God that is about to be declared to you, which is something we all need to do! Now in addressing the assembly Paul addresses them as “Men of Israel and you who fear God”, thus acknowledging the God-fearing Gentiles in the assembly, for again this Synagogue was located at a Roman colony made up of both peoples. Having then garnered their attention, the apostle Paul begins his sermon by recalling the founding of nation of Israel, how God chose their fathers, and then exalted his people when they were strangers in the Land of Egypt, multiplying greatly, before bringing them out with His uplifted arm. His point in doing so is not to glorify Israel, but to lay the groundwork for how God also raised up His Chosen Son Jesus Christ through them.
Vs. 18-19 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
Rather the recalling all of Israel’s rebellion during the 40 years in the wilderness, which was sentenced upon them when they refused to enter the land God had promised to them (Num. 14:26-38), the apostle Paul moves past that and on to their dividing their inheritances amongst themselves after God had destroyed through them the seven principal nations which then inhabited it. Now all of this was done in fulfillment of His Word which He spoke to Abraham, even before there was a nation called Israel (Gen. 15:12-16; 17:1-8; 26:23-25; 35:9-15; Ex. 6:2-8 etc.). Again, this is not about Israel’s faithfulness, but God’s, and that to always keeping His Word, and always watching over His people, even during those wilderness times.
Vs. 20-22 20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
Like the wilderness years, the time of Judges was also a low point for Israel as a nation, and so it was only by God’s ongoing faithfulness in finding yet another way to preserve the nation by raising up judges for them, who were mighty men and woman of God, that God once again preserved His people. The last judge then was Samuel the prophet, who sadly saw once again Israel’s rejection of God when they asked a king for themselves, so they could be like the Gentile nations around them (1 Samuel 8:4-9). Therefore, God gave them their request, and He gave them a man named who was the perfect embodiment (in stature and character) of who the Gentiles would have rule over them, and so when he proved himself unfaithful to God, God removed him, and in his place, He raised up a man after His own heart, David the son of Jessie (Vs. 22; quoting Psalm 89:20; also 1 Samuel 13:14).
Vs. 23-25 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
The apostle Paul’s message now moves quickly from David to Jesus, for it was through David’s descended offspring that God promised to raise up a Savior for Israel, His Son and King Jesus Christ. Thus, salvation for Israel was never to be found in their mortal kings, but is only found in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Therefore, this Jesus was raised up by God, only after John the Baptist had first preached the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel, to prepare them for His Coming to them. John then in baptizing the people never pointed anyone to himself, but when he was finishing his course he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ (see Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16).
Vs. 26-27 26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.
Therefore, in revealing the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s Chosen Savior and King first sent to Israel the apostle Paul now addresses the whole assembly on a personal level, saying, “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.” Vs. 26 For though they may be physically far off from the land of Israel, and its capital Jerusalem, it was to the whole house of Israel, and those who feared God amongst them, that God first sent His Word to save and heal them. And yet it was there at Jerusalem where the most religious and supposedly pious dwelt, when Jesus came to them in Person, they only rejected Him because they did not know Him, just as they do not know Him, nor the voices of the Prophets which declare Him to them when the Scriptures are read to them every Sabbath, and so they themselves only fulfilled them when they having rejected Him, condemned Him (vs.27). In them we see their grave error of knowing the Scriptures, and or knowing all of its commanded religious precepts and practices, and yet not knowing the Lord and Author of them, who gave them not as an end unto itself, but as a means to reveal Himself to them, and to all (consider John 5:39-40).
Vs. 28 “And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.”
Even though there was no fault in Jesus, no just cause for demanding His death, and even when Pilate was determined to release Him to them, they did not want Him, but instead they pressed him to put Jesus to death.
Vs. 29 “Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.”
That is, they surrounded and mocked Him while He was dying on the Cross (Psalm 22:7-8, 12-13, 16-17, Matt. 27:39-44), they gave Him sour wine mixed with gall to drink (Psalm 69:21; Matt. 27:34, 48), they divided His garments amongst themselves (Psalm 22:18, Matt. 27:35), they pierced His side with a spear (Exodus 12:46; Psalm 22:16; 34:20, Zechariah 12:10; John 19:31-37; Rev. 1:7). Now as to Jesus’ being laid in the Tomb, this was also done according to the Scriptures (Isaiah 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60).
Vs. 30 “But God raised Him from the dead.”
If anyone thought that Crucifying Jesus was going to be the end of Him and His Ministry they were only deceived. For God Himself raised Him from the dead! For no one, neither an individual nor nations will ever defeat, thwart, or hinder God accomplishing all of His Will and desires in the earth. And that especially includes Satan himself and all of his forces.
Vs. 31 “He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.”
Therefore, in Triumphantly and Boldly presenting His Son alive to the world God did so by first showing Himself alive to chosen witnesses, first to the disciples and apostles, then after that to more than five hundred people, the most of which were alive at the time of the writing of the N.T. Scriptures, with the most notably being the apostle Paul himself (1 Cor. 15:1-8).
Vs. 32-33 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’
In Jesus Christ alone there is good tidings from God. For it is through Him alone that God has fulfilled His promise made to the fathers, that is first to Abraham, then to Isaac, then to Jacob, that He would raise up His Son as Savior for them and for us all who believe in Him (vs. 32). Indeed, this promise goes back to Adam himself (Gen. 3:15). Therefore, God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ (vs. 33). Therefore, on day of Christ’s Incarnation on earth when the angels of heaven cried out His Praise and Glory, because God Himself had brought forth His Son, born of a woman, to be our Lord and Savior and King! Jesus Christ then is God’s Son and it is to Him alone that He has Promised to give the nations and the ends of earth as an inheritance, which He shall rule with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:7-9), meaning the moment the wicked raises their hand or plots their scheme He will immediately strike them down!
Vs. 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
Thus, in raising the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead He has removed death forever from Him, and all who now believe in Him, for as He is so shall we be. That is the implications of God giving His Son Jesus Christ the sure mercies of David (Isaiah 55:3).
Vs. 35-37 35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ 36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.
Therefore, God would not, and will not allow His Holy Son to see Corruption in fulfillment of Psalm 16:10. For Christ Jesus in suffering death on the Cross in obedience to the Father for us all must now be eternally Glorified! Therefore, even though He spent three days in the Tomb, Jesus’ Person saw no corruption! Unlike David who by the Spirit of the Lord foresaw these things, who when he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, that is he died and remained dead and was buried with his fathers and saw corruption, unlike Jesus Christ whom God raised from the dead. Thus, the whole point being that what David foresaw and foretold was not about himself but about His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Vs. 38-39 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ alone Crucified and Resurrected from the dead then is the forgiveness of all of our sins and eternal life for everyone who believes in Him, whether they are a Jew or a Gentile. For by faith in Jesus Christ (i.e., believing in His Person) you will be justified in the sight of God from all things which you could not be justified through the law of Moses! For the Law justifies no one, but God alone, who grants us to have His Righteousness imputed to us the moment we believe in His Son (Gen. 15:6).
Vs. 40-41 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
Having then declared the way of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the Apostle Paul now warns that the Scripture (drawn from Habakkuk 1:5) has no patience for those who despise the Work of the Lord in doing all of this for us, and instead turn back to trusting in their own works or righteousness, whether through the Law or anything else.
Vs. 42 “So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.”
Such then was the Spiritual hunger and thirst of the Gentiles that when they heard the Apostle Paul’s message, they begged that these words, words of grace and truth might be spoken to them again, “For the law came through Moses, but grace and through came through Jesus Christ” John 1:17
And its grace and truth that people who are searching to know God hunger for, not Law, which only convicts and condemns us all as sinners, which is what it’s supposed to do, so that we may all come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ by His grace through faith in Sons Person (Gal. 3:19-24).
Vs. 43 “Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”
Through the Apostle Paul’s preaching then many Jews, along with devout proselytes (i.e., Gentile converts to Judaism who strictly adhered to its ordinances), were awakened to God’s salvation for them through Jesus Christ. And so, they followed Paul and Barnabas, “who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”
I also hope and pray then that you to will not only come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, through the grace of God, but also continue on with Him through the grace of God, and not let anyone bind you under the Law, for you are not under law but under grace (Rom. 6:14). Nor let those who turn from the truth, and turn the grace of God into doing and keeping the doctrines and commandments of men have dominion over you, or your faith in Christ. Therefore, do not obey them, but rather as you have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ through the grace of God, so follow Him. “For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God lest anyone should boast” Eph. 2:8-9
Vs. 44 “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
No small impact had the Apostle Paul’s preaching on the people there, for just one week later, on the very next Sabbath, the Scripture says almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God! The Spiritual hunger there in that region then was immense, for the Gentiles had heard the Law through Moses with his being read every Sabbath in the synagogue, but Moses did not satisfy their souls deepest longings and desires, which is to be reconciled to God, only Jesus Christ does that. Therefore, when they heard about Him, through the Apostle Paul’s preaching Him to them, word spread quickly, and so now people who were not even regular attendees of the Jews synagogue were now coming out to hear Paul’s message about Him!
Vs. 45 “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.”
The Jews though were not enamored with this massive turnout, for they knew that these people were not going to seek to know God through them, that is through Moses and the Law, and thus through keeping their doctrines and ordinances. And so being filled with envy of Paul; of how much the Lord was mightily revealing Himself and declaring His Word through him; they tried to turn the people away by contradicting and blaspheming all the things spoken by Paul.
Vs. 46-47 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
This then is the turning point of the Apostle Paul’s ministry life. For right up until this moment both he and Barnabas were only trying to reach their own countrymen, the Jews, with the Gospel. But when they saw and heard how fiercely they were opposing the Word and Work of the Lord who was now drawing the Gentiles to Himself, they rebuked them and said to them, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” Thus, it is here, by revelation of the Scripture, specifically Isaiah 49:6, that the Apostle Paul first realizes that His ministry is not to the Jews, but rather to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:7-8), For it is they whose hearts God is turning to Himself, for they are eagerly receiving the Word of the Lord through him, while the Jews are only standing in strong opposition to it. Knowing then when God is likewise opening one door to you, while closing another, is the key then to being used mightily by Him as an effective evangelist for Him. For God always reveals the hearts of men so that His leaders know were they are to put their energies and resources.
Vs. 48 “Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”
The Gentiles then in hearing that the Apostle Paul was now going to put all of energies and strengths into preaching the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ to them, were glad and they glorified the Word of the Lord. For Paul had rightly quoted the Scriptures to them, for God’s Son was not just given to the Jews for their salvation, but also for Gentiles, for everyone who will believe in Him, even to the end of the earth! Therefore, the Scripture says, “And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” The election of God then always stands, no matter who or how many stand in opposition to Him.
Vs. 49 “And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.”
And so, like a wild fire that could not be contained the word of the Lord spread throughout that whole region, because the Apostles Paul and Barnabas were boldly preaching it.
Vs. 50-51 “But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.”
The Jews there though having rejected eternal life for themselves now raised up opposition and persecution against Paul and Barnabas, stirring up the devout and prominent woman, (likely getting them to set their husbands against them), even getting the chief men of the city to expel Paul and Barnabas from their region. But Paul and Barnabas were not discouraged from their preaching to the Gentiles, rather they shook the dust off from their feet against them, (according to Jesus’ Words, Luke 9:5), and then came to Iconium which was southeast of Antioch. For it would be there that they would begin a new evangelist Gospel ministry.
Vs. 52 “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Even though the Jews had opposed the Word of the Lord and expelled the Apostles Paul and Barnabas, they still were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, because they had believed and thus they were now children of God, born-again by the Spirit of God, and thus there was nothing the Jews or anyone else could now do which could separate them from the love of God which is Christ Jesus.
Scripture Quotations
New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.
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