Acts 13
Grace Opens the Door to the Nations
Acts 13 follows Barnabas and Saul as the Holy Spirit sends them out to share the good news about Jesus. Some people welcome the message, while others fight it, but God keeps opening doors for His saving grace.
Walking Through Acts 13
The Spirit Sends, and the Church Releases (Acts 13:1-3)
1 Now there were these prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch from childhood) and Saul. 2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them off.Acts 13:1-3 · NET Bible
The church in Antioch has several prophets and teachers from different backgrounds. While they worship and fast, going without food to focus on God, the Holy Spirit directs them to set apart Barnabas and Saul. God has already called these men to His work. The church responds with more fasting and prayer, then lays hands on them and sends them out. This shows support and shared purpose. I notice that this mission begins with people seeking God, not trying to make a name for themselves. A healthy church receives God's gifts with thanks, but it also releases people to serve wherever He leads. His love reaches beyond one local gathering.
A Ruler Hears and a Sorcerer Resists (Acts 13:4-12)
4 So Barnabas and Saul, sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived in Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. (Now they also had John as their assistant.) 6 When they had crossed over the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. The proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But the magician Elymas (for that is the way his name is translated) opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul (also known as Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at him 10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and all wrongdoing, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness—will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, unable to see the sun for a time!” Immediately mistiness and darkness came over him, and he went around seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then when the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed because he was greatly astounded at the teaching about the Lord.Acts 13:4-12 · NET Bible
Led by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul sail to Cyprus, with John Mark helping them. They teach in Jewish synagogues, the places where Jewish people gather for worship and Scripture. At Paphos, the Roman governor Sergius Paulus wants to hear God's word. But Elymas, a sorcerer also called Bar-Jesus, tries to turn him away from faith. Saul, now also called Paul, exposes this resistance and announces temporary blindness as God's judgment. The passage does not describe a name change at Paul's conversion; it introduces his other name. The governor believes, amazed at the teaching about the Lord. The sign matters, but Luke keeps our eyes on the message. God's truth reaches a man whom someone else tried to keep in darkness.
God's Long Road to the Savior (Acts 13:13-25)
13 Then Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 Moving on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the law and the prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any message of exhortation for the people, speak it.” 16 So Paul stood up, gestured with his hand and said,“Men of Israel, and you Gentiles who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay as foreigners in the country of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave his people their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. After this he gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing him, God raised up David their king. He testified about him: ‘ I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my heart , who will accomplish everything I want him to do.’ 23 From the descendants of this man God brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, just as he promised. 24 Before Jesus arrived, John had proclaimed a baptism for repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 But while John was completing his mission, he said repeatedly, ‘What do you think I am? I am not he. But look, one is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet!’Acts 13:13-25 · NET Bible
John Mark leaves the group at Perga and returns to Jerusalem. Luke does not explain his reason here. Paul and Barnabas continue to Antioch in Pisidia, a different city from the Antioch that sent them. In the synagogue, the leaders invite them to speak after the Scripture readings. Paul addresses both Jewish hearers and Gentiles who worship Israel's God. He traces God's care through Israel's story: choosing their ancestors, rescuing them from Egypt, bearing with them in the wilderness, and giving them land, judges, and kings. The story moves from Saul to David, then to Jesus, the promised Savior from David's family. John the Baptist prepared the way while pointing beyond himself. Israel's history is not a string of lucky events. God has faithfully brought His promise toward its goal.
People Rejected Jesus, but God Raised Him (Acts 13:26-37)
26 Brothers, descendants of Abraham’s family, and those Gentiles among you who fear God, the message of this salvation has been sent to us. 27 For the people who live in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him, and they fulfilled the sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath by condemning him. 28 Though they found no basis for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had accomplished everything that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had accompanied him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we proclaim to you the good news about the promise to our ancestors, 33 that this promise God has fulfilled to us, their children, by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second psalm, ‘ You are my Son; today I have fathered you .’ 34 But regarding the fact that he has raised Jesus from the dead, never again to be in a state of decay, God has spoken in this way: ‘ I will give you the holy and trustworthy promises made to David .’ 35 Therefore he also says in another psalm, ‘ You will not permit your Holy One to experience decay .’ 36 For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, died, was buried with his ancestors, and experienced decay, 37 but the one whom God raised up did not experience decay.Acts 13:26-37 · NET Bible
Paul now brings the message directly to his hearers. The news of salvation is for them. Jerusalem's leaders failed to recognize Jesus or understand the Scriptures they heard each Sabbath. Though they found no valid reason for His death, they asked Pilate to have Him killed. Jesus was placed in a tomb, but God raised Him from the dead. Witnesses saw Him alive. Paul uses Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 55:3, and Psalm 16:10 to explain how Jesus fulfills God's promises. David served God's purpose, died, and his body decayed. Jesus rose and did not remain under death's power. I find steady hope here: human rejection did not cancel God's faithfulness. The resurrection confirms that His promised salvation has truly come.
A Gift the Law Could Not Give (Acts 13:38-43)
38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by this one everyone who believes is justified from everything from which the law of Moses could not justify you. 40 Watch out, then, that what is spoken about by the prophets does not happen to you: 41 ‘ Look, you scoffers; be amazed and perish! For I am doing a work in your days, a work you would never believe, even if someone tells you .’” 42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people were urging them to speak about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and were persuading them to continue in the grace of God.Acts 13:38-43 · NET Bible
Paul explains what Jesus' resurrection means for his listeners. Forgiveness is offered through Jesus, and everyone who believes is made right with God in a way the law of Moses could not provide. God's law is not evil, but it cannot rescue guilty people from sin. Jesus gives what their own obedience cannot earn. Paul also warns them from Habakkuk 1:5 not to dismiss God's work in unbelief. Grace is a gift, but refusing it is serious. Many listeners want to hear more the next Sabbath. Others follow Paul and Barnabas, who urge them to continue in God's grace. Faith begins by receiving God's gift, and spiritual growth continues through that same grace.
The Good News Reaches Further (Acts 13:44-52)
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city assembled together to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they began to contradict what Paul was saying by reviling him. 46 Both Paul and Barnabas replied courageously, “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have appointed you to be a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed for eternal life believed. 49 So the word of the Lord was spreading through the entire region. 50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high social standing and the prominent men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their region. 51 So after they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, they went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.Acts 13:44-52 · NET Bible
Nearly the whole city gathers the next Sabbath. Some Jewish opponents become jealous and argue against Paul. This is not a rejection by every Jewish person; many have already responded warmly. Paul and Barnabas explain that Israel had the first opportunity to hear, but these opponents are refusing eternal life. Drawing on Isaiah 49:6, they turn toward the Gentiles, people outside the Jewish nation. The Gentiles rejoice, and those appointed for eternal life believe. Luke presents their faith as part of God's saving purpose, not a human achievement. The message spreads, but influential opponents drive the missionaries away. Shaking dust from their feet marks a serious warning against this rejection. Still, the disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Trouble has not taken away God's presence.
- Grace — God's undeserved favor, giving forgiveness and life through Jesus.
- Gentiles — People outside the Jewish nation, whom God also welcomes through faith in Jesus.
Where might God be widening your concern for people you have been quick to overlook?
Father, thank You for keeping Your promises and offering forgiveness through Jesus. Help us depend on Your grace and gladly welcome others who receive it. Give us courage and kindness as we share Your good news.