Acts 13
13
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
1Now there were in the church at Antioch #ch. 11:27; 15:32; 19:6; 21:9, 10; Rom. 12:6, 7; See 1 Cor. 12:28, 29 prophets and #ch. 11:27; 15:32; 19:6; 21:9, 10; Rom. 12:6, 7; See 1 Cor. 12:28, 29 teachers, #ch. 11:22-26 Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,#13:1 Niger is a Latin word meaning black, or dark Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of #See Luke 3:1Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, #[ch. 20:28]; See ch. 8:29 the Holy Spirit said, #Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:15 “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul #See ch. 9:15for the work to which I have called them.” 3Then after fasting and #See ch. 6:6 praying they laid their hands on them and #ch. 14:26sent them off.
Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus
4So, being sent out #ver. 2; [ch. 16:6, 7]by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God #ver. 14; ch. 9:20; 14:1; 17:1, 2, 10, 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8; [ver. 46]; See Mark 6:2 in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had #See ch. 12:12 John to #[ch. 19:22]assist them. 6When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain #ch. 8:9, 11 magician, #See Matt. 7:15a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7He was with #ver. 8, 12; ch. 18:12; 19:38the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the #[See ver. 6 above] magician (for that is the meaning of his name) #[Ex. 7:11; 2 Tim. 3:8] opposed them, seeking to turn #ver. 7, 12the proconsul away from the faith. 9But Saul, who was also called Paul, #ch. 4:8filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and said, “You #See Matt. 13:38 son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and #[ch. 18:14] villainy, will you not stop #Mic. 3:9 making crooked #Hos. 14:9; 2 Pet. 2:15; [ch. 18:25, 26]the straight paths of the Lord? 11And now, behold, #ch. 11:21; Ex. 9:3; 1 Sam. 5:6, 7, 11; Ps. 32:4; [Heb. 10:31; 1 Pet. 5:6] the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking #[ch. 9:8; 22:11]people to lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at #[ver. 49; ch. 15:35]the teaching of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia
13Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And #ver. 5 John left them and returned #ch. 12:12to Jerusalem, 14but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And #ver. 42, 44; ch. 16:13; 17:2; 18:4 on the Sabbath day #See ver. 5they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15After #ch. 15:21 the reading from #See Luke 16:16 the Law and the Prophets, #See Mark 5:22 the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any #Heb. 13:22word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16So Paul stood up, and #See ch. 12:17 motioning with his hand said:
“Men of Israel and #ver. 26; ch. 10:2, 22you who fear God, listen. 17#See Matt. 15:31 The God of this people Israel #Deut. 7:6-8 chose our fathers and #Num. 24:7 made the people great #ch. 7:17; Ex. 1:1, 7, 12; Ps. 105:23, 24 during their stay in the land of Egypt, and #Ex. 6:6; 13:14, 16with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18And for about #See ch. 7:36 forty years #[Deut. 9:5-24]he put up with#13:18 Some manuscripts he carried (compare Deuteronomy 1:31) them in the wilderness. 19And #See ch. 7:45 after destroying #Deut. 7:1 seven nations in the land of Canaan, #Josh. 14:1, 2; 19:51; Ps. 78:55; 136:21, 22he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20All this took about 450 years. And after that #Judg. 2:16; 3:9 he gave them judges until #See ch. 3:24Samuel the prophet. 21Then #1 Sam. 8:5; 10:1 they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul #1 Sam. 9:1, 2the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22And #1 Sam. 15:23, 26, 28; 16:1; [Hos. 13:11] when he had removed him, #1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4; 5:3 he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, #Cited from Ps. 89:20 ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse #ch. 7:46; Cited from 1 Sam. 13:14 a man after my heart, #ver. 36who will do all my will.’ 23#See Matt. 1:1 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel #See Luke 2:11 a Savior, Jesus, #Ps. 132:11; [ver. 32, 33]as he promised. 24Before his coming, #ch. 1:22; Matt. 3:1 John had proclaimed #ch. 19:4; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; [ch. 2:38; Matt. 3:11]a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as John was finishing his course, #John 1:20, 27; [Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16]he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you #ver. 16 who fear God, to us has been sent #ch. 10:36; [Eph. 1:13] the message of #[ch. 5:20]; See ch. 4:12this salvation. 27For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because #[2 Cor. 3:14, 15]; See ch. 3:17 they did not recognize him nor understand #ver. 15; [ch. 15:21] the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, #See Luke 24:20, 26, 27, 44fulfilled them by condemning him. 28And #[Mark 14:55; Luke 23:22] though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, #ch. 2:23; 3:14, 15; Luke 23:23they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29And when #Luke 18:31; 24:44; John 19:28, 30, 36, 37 they had carried out all that was written of him, #Matt. 27:59, 60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53; John 19:38, 41, 42 they took him down from #See ch. 5:30the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But #See ch. 2:24God raised him from the dead, 31and for many days #See ch. 1:3 he appeared to those #Mark 15:41 who had come up with him #ch. 1:11; 2:7 from Galilee to Jerusalem, #See Luke 24:48 who are now #See ch. 1:8his witnesses to the people. 32And we bring you the good news #ch. 26:6; Rom. 4:13; 15:8; Gal. 3:16; [Rom. 9:4]that what God promised to the fathers, 33#[ver. 23; Luke 1:69-73] this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
#
Heb. 1:5; 5:5; Cited from Ps. 2:7 “‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
34And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, #Rom. 6:9; [Heb. 9:25-28] #ver. 35-37 no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“‘I will give you #Cited from Isa. 55:3the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35Therefore he says also in another psalm,
# ch. 2:27; Cited from Ps. 16:10 “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
36For David, after he had #ver. 22; ch. 20:27 served the purpose of God in his own generation, #2 Sam. 7:12; 1 Kgs. 2:10; [ch. 2:29] fell asleep and #Judg. 2:10was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37but he whom #ver. 30God raised up did not see corruption. 38Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, #Luke 24:47; 1 John 2:12 that through this man #ch. 5:31forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39and by him #Rom. 3:28; See ch. 10:43 everyone who believes is freed#13:39 Greek justified; twice in this verse from everything #Rom. 2:13; 3:20; 8:3; Gal. 2:16; 3:11; Eph. 2:9; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5; [Heb. 7:19]from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41 # Cited from Hab. 1:5; [Isa. 29:14] “‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
42As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and #ver. 50; ch. 17:4, 17; [ch. 16:14] devout #ch. 2:11; 6:5; Matt. 23:15 converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them #[Jude 21] to continue in #Jude 4; See ch. 11:23the grace of God.
44The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45#[ch. 19:9] But #[1 Thess. 2:16] when the Jews#13:45 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 50 saw the crowds, they were filled with #See ch. 5:17 jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, #ch. 18:6; 26:11; 1 Tim. 1:20reviling him. 46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God #ver. 5, 14; See ch. 3:26 be spoken first to you. #See Matt. 21:43 Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves #See Matt. 22:8 unworthy of eternal life, behold, we #ch. 18:6; 22:21; 26:17, 18, 20; 28:28; See ch. 9:15are turning to the Gentiles. 47#[ch. 11:18] For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
# Cited from Isa. 49:6; [Isa. 45:22] “‘I have made you #Isa. 42:6; Luke 2:32 a light for the Gentiles,
that you may #[ver. 26; ch. 1:8]bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and #[2 Thess. 1:12]glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50#[ch. 14:2, 19; 17:5, 13; 18:12; 20:3, 19; 21:27] But the Jews incited the devout #ch. 17:12 women of high standing and the leading men of the city, #2 Tim. 3:11 stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and #1 Thess. 2:15drove them out of their district. 51But they #Matt. 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; [ch. 18:6]shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled #[1 Thess. 1:6]; See Matt. 5:12; John 16:22 with joy and #See ch. 2:4with the Holy Spirit.
Currently Selected:
Acts 13: ESV
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Sign up to receive news and updates about the ESV:
Acts of the Apostles 13
13
Barnabas and Saul Are Commissioned
1Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”#13:1a Greek who was called Niger.), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas#13:1b Greek Herod the tetrarch.), and Saul. 2One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Paul’s First Missionary Journey
4So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. 5There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.
6Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.
9Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.
12When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
Paul Preaches in Antioch of Pisidia
13Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia.#13:13-14 Pamphylia and Pisidia were districts in what is now Turkey.
On the Sabbath they went to the synagogue for the services. 15After the usual readings from the books of Moses#13:15 Greek from the law. and the prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it.”
16So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. “Men of Israel,” he said, “and you God-fearing Gentiles, listen to me.
17“The God of this nation of Israel chose our ancestors and made them multiply and grow strong during their stay in Egypt. Then with a powerful arm he led them out of their slavery. 18He put up with them#13:18 Some manuscripts read He cared for them; compare Deut 1:31. through forty years of wandering in the wilderness. 19Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance. 20All this took about 450 years.
“After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. 22But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’#13:22 1 Sam 13:14.
23“And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel! 24Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized. 25As John was finishing his ministry he asked, ‘Do you think I am the Messiah? No, I am not! But he is coming soon—and I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.’
26“Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation has been sent to us! 27The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath. 28They found no legal reason to execute him, but they asked Pilate to have him killed anyway.
29“When they had done all that the prophecies said about him, they took him down from the cross#13:29 Greek from the tree. and placed him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead! 31And over a period of many days he appeared to those who had gone with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to the people of Israel.
32“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, 33and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus. This is what the second psalm says about Jesus:
‘You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.#13:33 Or Today I reveal you as my Son. Ps 2:7.’
34For God had promised to raise him from the dead, not leaving him to rot in the grave. He said, ‘I will give you the sacred blessings I promised to David.’#13:34 Isa 55:3. 35Another psalm explains it more fully: ‘You will not allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.’#13:35 Ps 16:10. 36This is not a reference to David, for after David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors, and his body decayed. 37No, it was a reference to someone else—someone whom God raised and whose body did not decay.
38 # 13:38 English translations divide verses 38 and 39 in various ways. “Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do. 40Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you. For they said,
41‘Look, you mockers,
be amazed and die!
For I am doing something in your own day,
something you wouldn’t believe
even if someone told you about it.’#13:41 Hab 1:5 (Greek version).”
42As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people begged them to speak about these things again the next week. 43Many 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
44The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. 45But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.
46Then 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. 47For 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.’#13:47 Isa 49:6.”
48When 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. 49So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region.
50Then 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. 51So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium. 52And the believers#13:52 Greek the disciples. were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
For more information about the NLT: