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Acts 13
The Voice

After Barnabas and Saul help deliver the relief fund to Jerusalem (11:29–30), the three men return to Antioch. With this trip by Saul (who will shortly be renamed Paul) back to Antioch, Luke’s emphasis for the rest of the book shifts away from Peter and the church in Jerusalem to focus on Paul and his mission to spread the good news to Jews and outsiders throughout the northern Mediterranean area.

13 The church in Antioch had grown strong, with many prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (a dark man from Central Africa), Lucius (from Cyrene in North Africa), Manaen (a member of Herod’s governing council), and Saul. 2 Once they were engaged in a time of worship and fasting when the Holy Spirit spoke to them, “Commission Barnabas and Saul to a project I have called them to accomplish.” 3 They fasted and prayed some more, laid their hands on the two selected men, and sent them off on their new mission. 4 Having received special commissioning by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went to nearby Seleucia on the coast. Then they caught a ship to the island of Cyprus.

5 At the city of Salamis on the east side of Cyprus, they proclaimed the message of God in Jewish synagogues, assisted by John Mark. 6-7 They went westward from town to town, finally reaching Paphos on the western shore. There the proconsul named Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear their message. At his side was an occult spiritualist and Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus 8 or Elymas (which means “magician”). Elymas argued with Barnabas and Saul, trying to keep Sergius Paulus from coming to faith.

9 Saul, who is also known as Paul, was suddenly full of the Holy Spirit. He stared directly into Elymas’s face.

Paul: 10 You’re a son of the devil. You’re an enemy of justice, you’re full of lies, and you steal opportunities from others. Why do you insist on confusing and twisting the clear, straight paths of the Lord? 11 Hear this, Elymas: the Lord’s hand is against you, and you will be as blind as a bat for a period of time, beginning right now!

At that instant, it was as if a mist came over Elymas and then total darkness. He stumbled around, groping for a hand so he could be led back home. 12 When Sergius Paulus saw this happen, he came to faith and was attracted to and amazed by the teaching about the Lord.

13 Paul and his entourage boarded a ship and set sail from Paphos. They traveled north to Perga in Pamphylia. John Mark, however, abandoned the mission and returned to Jerusalem.

14 Paul and Barnabas continued from Perga to Pisidian Antioch; and on the Sabbath, they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the regular reading of the Hebrew Scriptures—including passages from the Law and the Prophets—the synagogue leaders sent a message to them: “Brothers, if you would like to give us some exhortation, please do so.” 16 Paul rose to his feet, offered a gesture of greeting, and began his message.

Paul: Israelites and other God-fearing people, please hear me. 17 The God of the Israelites chose our ancestors and helped them become a large population while they were living in Egypt many years ago. He displayed His great power by leading them out of that powerful nation. 18 For about 40 years, He endured their constant complaining in the wilderness. 19 He opened up some land for them in Canaan by destroying the seven nations living there, and that land became their inheritance for about 450 years. 20 They had tribal leaders[a] through the time of the prophet Samuel. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them one—Saul, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin—who reigned for 40 years. 22 After God moved Saul aside, He made David king in his place. God had this to say about David: “I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after My own heart. He’s the kind of king who will rule in ways that please Me.”[b] 23 God has selected one of David’s descendants as the long-promised Liberator of Israel. I am speaking of Jesus.

24 Before Jesus arrived on the scene, His cousin John was hard at work, proclaiming to all the people of Israel a ceremonial washing through baptism[c] and pointing to a new direction in thought and life. 25 John’s ministry climaxed when he said, “Who do you assume me to be? I am not the One you’re looking for. No, but One is coming after me, One whose sandal thong I am unworthy to untie.”[d] 26 My brothers, fellow descendants of our common father Abraham, and others here who fear God, we are the ones to whom God has sent this message of salvation.

27 But you know the people of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus. They didn’t understand the words of the prophets that are read in the synagogues on Sabbath after Sabbath. As a result, they fulfilled the ancient prophecies by condemning Jesus. 28 Even though they could find no offense punishable by death, still they asked Pilate to execute Jesus. 29 When they carried out everything that had been foretold by the prophets, they took His body down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But that was not the end: God raised Him from the dead, 31 and over a period of many days, He appeared to those who had been His companions from the beginning of their journey in Galilee until its end in Jerusalem. They are now witnesses to everyone. 32 We are here to bring you the good news of God’s promise to our ancestors, 33 which He has now fulfilled for our children by raising Jesus. Consider the promises fulfilled in Jesus. The psalmist says, “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”[e]

34 Elsewhere God promises that Jesus will rise and never return to death and corruption again: “I will make You the holy and faithful promises I made to David.”[f] 35 Similarly, another psalm says, “You will not abandon Me to experience death and the grave or leave Me to rot alone.”[g] 36 We all know David died and was reduced to dust after he served God’s purpose in his generation; 37 these words obviously apply not to David but to the One God raised from death before suffering decay. 38 So you must realize, my brothers, that through this resurrected man forgiveness of sins is assured to you. 39 Through Jesus, everyone who believes is set free from all sins—sins which the law of Moses could not release you from. 40 In light of all this, be careful that you do not fulfill these words of the prophet Habakkuk:

41     Look, you scoffers!
        Be shocked to death.
    For in your days I am doing a work,
        a work you will never believe, even if someone tells you plainly![h]

42 Paul and Barnabas prepared to leave the synagogue, but the people wanted to hear more and urged them to return the following Sabbath. 43 As the people dispersed after the meeting, many Jews and converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas. Privately Paul and Barnabas continued teaching them and urged them to remain steadfast in the grace of God. 44 The next Sabbath, it seemed the whole city had gathered to hear the message of the Lord. 45 But some of the Jewish leaders were jealous when they saw these huge crowds. They began to argue with and contradict Paul’s message, as well as slander him. 46 Paul and Barnabas together responded with great confidence.

Paul and Barnabas: OK, then. It was only right that we should bring God’s message to you Jewish people first. But now, since you are rejecting our message and identifying yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the outsiders. 47 The Lord has commanded us to do this. Remember His words:

    I have appointed you a light to the nations beyond Israel,
        so you can bring redemption to every corner of the earth.[i]

48 These words created two strong reactions. The outsiders were thrilled and praised God’s message, and all those who had been appointed for eternal life became believers. 49 Through them the Lord’s message spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders united the aristocratic religious women and the city’s leading men in opposition to Paul and Barnabas, and soon they were persecuted and driven out of the region. 51 They simply shook the dust off their feet in protest and moved on to Iconium. 52 The disciples weren’t intimidated at all; rather, they were full of joy and the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. 13:20 In the Hebrew Scriptures, these leaders were called “judges.”
  2. 13:22 1 Samuel 13:14
  3. 13:24 Literally, immersion, an act to show repentance
  4. 13:25 Luke 3:16
  5. 13:33 Psalm 2:7
  6. 13:34 Isaiah 55:3
  7. 13:35 Psalm 16:10
  8. 13:41 Habakkuk 1:5
  9. 13:47 Isaiah 49:6
Close LSB

Acts 13
Legacy Standard Bible

Barnabas and Saul Sent from Antioch by the Holy Spirit

13 Now there were at (A)Antioch, in the (B)church that was there, (C)prophets and (D)teachers: (E)Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of (F)Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with (G)Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, (H)the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me (I)Barnabas and Saul for (J)the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and (K)prayed and (L)laid their hands on them, (M)they sent them away.

On Cyprus

4 So, being (N)sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to (O)Cyprus. 5 And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in (P)the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had (Q)John as their helper. 6 And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a (R)magician, a Jewish (S)false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the (T)proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the (U)magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the (V)proconsul away from (W)the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also known as Paul, [a](X)filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you (Y)son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked (Z)the straight ways of the [b]Lord? 11 Now, behold, (AA)the hand of the [c]Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12 Then the (AB)proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being astonished at (AC)the teaching of the Lord.

In Pisidian Antioch

13 Now after Paul and his companions set sail from (AD)Paphos, they came to (AE)Perga in (AF)Pamphylia, but (AG)John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at (AH)Pisidian (AI)Antioch. And on (AJ)the Sabbath day, they went into (AK)the synagogue and sat down. 15 And after (AL)the reading of the Law and (AM)the Prophets (AN)the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and (AO)motioning with his hand said,

“Men of Israel, and (AP)you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel (AQ)chose our fathers and [d](AR)lifted up the people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm (AS)He led them out from it. 18 And for (AT)a period of about forty years (AU)He put up with them in the wilderness. 19 (AV)And when He destroyed (AW)seven nations in the land of Canaan, He (AX)distributed their land as an inheritance—all of which took (AY)about 450 years. 20 After these things He (AZ)gave them judges until (BA)Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they (BB)asked for a king, and God gave them (BC)Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And after He had (BD)removed him, He raised up David to be their king, about whom He also said, bearing witness, ‘(BE)I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My [e]will.’ 23 (BF)From the seed of this man, (BG)according to promise, God has brought to Israel (BH)a Savior, Jesus, 24 after (BI)John had preached before [f]His coming a (BJ)baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John (BK)was fulfilling his course, (BL)he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandals of His feet.’

26 “Brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the word of (BM)this salvation was sent. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their (BN)rulers, (BO)recognizing neither Him nor the [g]utterances of (BP)the prophets which are (BQ)read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning Him. 28 And though they found no ground for death, they (BR)asked Pilate that He be [h]executed. 29 And when they had (BS)finished all that was written concerning Him, (BT)they took Him down from (BU)the tree and (BV)laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God (BW)raised Him from the dead; 31 and for many days (BX)He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now (BY)His witnesses to the people. 32 And we (BZ)proclaim to you the good news of (CA)the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise [i]to our children in that He (CB)raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘(CC)You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ 34 But that He (CD)raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to corruption, He has spoken in this way: ‘(CE)I will give you the holy and [j]faithful lovingkindnesses of David.’ 35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘(CF)You will not give Your [k]Holy One over to see corruption.’ 36 For (CG)David, after he had [l]served (CH)the purpose of God in his own generation, (CI)fell asleep and was laid among his fathers and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God (CJ)raised did not see corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that (CK)through [m]Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and that in Him, (CL)everyone who believes is justified from all things which you could not be justified from [n]through the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore watch out, so that the thing spoken of (CM)in the Prophets may not come upon you:

41 ‘(CN)Look, you scoffers, and marvel, and [o]perish;
For I am accomplishing a work in your days,
A work which you will never believe, though someone should recount it to you.’”

42 And as [p]Paul and Barnabas were leaving, the people kept pleading that these words might be spoken to them the next (CO)Sabbath. 43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the (CP)God-fearing [q](CQ)proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in (CR)the grace of God.

Many Gentiles Believe

44 And the next (CS)Sabbath, nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of [r]the [s]Lord. 45 But when (CT)the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, [t]blaspheming. 46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you (CU)first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, (CV)we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the [u]Lord has commanded us,

‘(CW)I have placed You as a (CX)light for the Gentiles,
That You may [v]bring salvation to the end of the earth.’”

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying (CY)the word of [w]the [x]Lord, and as many as (CZ)had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And (DA)the word of the [y]Lord was being spread through the whole region. 50 But (DB)the Jews incited the [z](DC)God-fearing women (DD)of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their [aa]district. 51 But (DE)having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, they went to (DF)Iconium. 52 And the disciples were continually (DG)filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:9 Or having just been filled
  2. Acts 13:10 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Is 40:3
  3. Acts 13:11 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ex 9:3
  4. Acts 13:17 Or exalted
  5. Acts 13:22 Lit wishes
  6. Acts 13:24 Lit the face of His entering
  7. Acts 13:27 Lit voices
  8. Acts 13:28 Lit destroyed
  9. Acts 13:33 Late mss to us their children
  10. Acts 13:34 Lit trustworthy
  11. Acts 13:35 Or Devout, Pious
  12. Acts 13:36 Or served his own generation by the purpose of God
  13. Acts 13:38 Lit this One
  14. Acts 13:39 Lit by
  15. Acts 13:41 Lit disappear
  16. Acts 13:42 Lit they
  17. Acts 13:43 Gentile converts to Judaism
  18. Acts 13:44 One early ms God
  19. Acts 13:44 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Is 1:10
  20. Acts 13:45 Or slandering him
  21. Acts 13:47 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Is 42:6
  22. Acts 13:47 Lit be for salvation
  23. Acts 13:48 Two early mss God
  24. Acts 13:48 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Is 1:10
  25. Acts 13:49 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Is 1:10
  26. Acts 13:50 Or worshiping
  27. Acts 13:50 Lit boundaries
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