11 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

13 Now when Paul and his company loosed 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 unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

30 But God raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

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.

Peter Explains His Actions

11 The apostles and the believers(A) throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.(B) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers(C) criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”(D)

Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.(E) I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

“I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

“The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’(F) 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea(G) stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told(H) me to have no hesitation about going with them.(I) These six brothers(J) also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel(K) appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message(L) through which you and all your household(M) will be saved.’

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on(N) them as he had come on us at the beginning.(O) 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[a] water,(P) but you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.’(Q) 17 So if God gave them the same gift(R) he gave us(S) who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”(T)

The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed(U) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,(V) spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus(W) and Cyrene,(X) went to Antioch(Y) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news(Z) about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them,(AA) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.(AB)

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas(AC) to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,(AD) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.(AE) 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit(AF) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.(AG)

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus(AH) to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples(AI) were called Christians first(AJ) at Antioch.

27 During this time some prophets(AK) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus,(AL) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.(AM) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)(AN) 29 The disciples,(AO) as each one was able, decided to provide help(AP) for the brothers and sisters(AQ) living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders(AR) by Barnabas(AS) and Saul.(AT)

Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison

12 It was about this time that King Herod(AU) arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John,(AV) put to death with the sword.(AW) When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews,(AX) he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.(AY) After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.(AZ)

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.(BA)

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains,(BB) and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel(BC) of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.(BD)

Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.(BE) 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself,(BF) and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself(BG) and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me(BH) from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,(BI) where many people had gathered and were praying.(BJ) 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.(BK) 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed(BL) she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”(BM)

16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand(BN) for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James(BO) and the other brothers and sisters(BP) about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.(BQ)

Herod’s Death

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea(BR) and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;(BS) they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.(BT)

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel(BU) of the Lord struck him down,(BV) and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God(BW) continued to spread and flourish.(BX)

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

25 When Barnabas(BY) and Saul had finished their mission,(BZ) they returned from[c] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.(CA) 13 Now in the church at Antioch(CB) there were prophets(CC) and teachers:(CD) Barnabas,(CE) Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,(CF) Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod(CG) the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,(CH) “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work(CI) to which I have called them.”(CJ) So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them(CK) and sent them off.(CL)

On Cyprus

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,(CM) went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.(CN) When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God(CO) in the Jewish synagogues.(CP) John(CQ) was with them as their helper.

They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer(CR) and false prophet(CS) named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul,(CT) Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer(CU) (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul(CV) from the faith.(CW) Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,(CX) looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil(CY) and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?(CZ) 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you.(DA) You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”(DB)

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul(DC) saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

In Pisidian Antioch

13 From Paphos,(DD) Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia,(DE) where John(DF) left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch.(DG) On the Sabbath(DH) they entered the synagogue(DI) and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law(DJ) and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand(DK) and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country;(DL) 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct[d](DM) in the wilderness;(DN) 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan,(DO) giving their land to his people(DP) as their inheritance.(DQ) 20 All this took about 450 years.

“After this, God gave them judges(DR) until the time of Samuel the prophet.(DS) 21 Then the people asked for a king,(DT) and he gave them Saul(DU) son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin,(DV) who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul,(DW) he made David their king.(DX) God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;(DY) he will do everything I want him to do.’(DZ)

23 “From this man’s descendants(EA) God has brought to Israel the Savior(EB) Jesus,(EC) as he promised.(ED) 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.(EE) 25 As John was completing his work,(EF) he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for.(EG) But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’(EH)

26 “Fellow children of Abraham(EI) and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation(EJ) has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus,(EK) yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets(EL) that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.(EM) 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him,(EN) they took him down from the cross(EO) and laid him in a tomb.(EP) 30 But God raised him from the dead,(EQ) 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.(ER) They are now his witnesses(ES) to our people.

32 “We tell you the good news:(ET) What God promised our ancestors(EU) 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.(EV) As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my son;
    today I have become your father.’[e](EW)

34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’[f](EX)

35 So it is also stated elsewhere:

“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’[g](EY)

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;(EZ) he was buried with his ancestors(FA) and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead(FB) did not see decay.

38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.(FC) 39 Through him everyone who believes(FD) is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.(FE) 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
    wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
    that you would never believe,
    even if someone told you.’[h](FF)

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue,(FG) the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.(FH)

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying(FI) and heaped abuse(FJ) on him.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first.(FK) Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.(FL) 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you[i] a light for the Gentiles,(FM)
    that you[j] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’[k](FN)

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord;(FO) and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

49 The word of the Lord(FP) spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.(FQ) 51 So they shook the dust off their feet(FR) as a warning to them and went to Iconium.(FS) 52 And the disciples(FT) were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.(FU)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 11:16 Or in
  2. Acts 11:16 Or in
  3. Acts 12:25 Some manuscripts to
  4. Acts 13:18 Some manuscripts he cared for them
  5. Acts 13:33 Psalm 2:7
  6. Acts 13:34 Isaiah 55:3
  7. Acts 13:35 Psalm 16:10 (see Septuagint)
  8. Acts 13:41 Hab. 1:5
  9. Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
  10. Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
  11. Acts 13:47 Isaiah 49:6

Peter Defends God’s Grace

11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, (A)those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, (B)“You went in to uncircumcised men (C)and ate with them!”

But Peter explained it to them (D)in order from the beginning, saying: (E)“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then (F)the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover (G)these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 (H)And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, (I)as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, (J)‘John indeed baptized with water, but (K)you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 (L)If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, (M)who was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, (N)“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Barnabas and Saul at Antioch

19 (O)Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to (P)the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And (Q)the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and (R)turned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out (S)Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and (T)encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, (U)full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. (V)And a great many people were added to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas departed for (W)Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Relief to Judea

27 And in these days (X)prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named (Y)Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of (Z)Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send (AA)relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 (AB)This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Herod’s Violence to the Church

12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James (AC)the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during (AD)the Days of Unleavened Bread. So (AE)when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four [a]squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Peter Freed from Prison

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [b]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were [c]keeping the prison. Now behold, (AF)an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and (AG)did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought (AH)he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, (AI)which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that (AJ)the Lord has sent His angel, and (AK)has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

12 So, when he had considered this, (AL)he came to the house of Mary, the mother of (AM)John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together (AN)praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, (AO)“It is his angel.”

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But (AP)motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small [d]stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.

And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Herod’s Violent Death

20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of (AQ)Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus [e]the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because (AR)their country was [f]supplied with food by the king’s country.

21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord (AS)struck him, because (AT)he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and [g]died.

24 But (AU)the word of God grew and multiplied.

Barnabas and Saul Appointed

25 And (AV)Barnabas and Saul returned [h]from Jerusalem when they had (AW)fulfilled their ministry, and they also (AX)took with them (AY)John whose surname was Mark.

Paul and Barnabas Are Sent to the Gentiles

13 Now (AZ)in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: (BA)Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, (BB)Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, (BC)“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work (BD)to which I have called them.” Then, (BE)having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Preaching in Cyprus

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to (BF)Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, (BG)they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had (BH)John as their assistant.

Now when they had gone through [i]the island to Paphos, they found (BI)a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But (BJ)Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) [j]withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, (BK)filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, (BL)you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, (BM)the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”

And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

At Antioch in Pisidia

13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and (BN)John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and (BO)went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And (BP)after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have (BQ)any word of [k]exhortation for the people, say on.”

16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and (BR)you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people [l]Israel (BS)chose our fathers, and exalted the people (BT)when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with [m]an uplifted arm He (BU)brought them out of it. 18 Now (BV)for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed (BW)seven nations in the land of Canaan, (BX)He distributed their land to them by allotment.

20 “After that (BY)He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, (BZ)until Samuel the prophet. 21 (CA)And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them (CB)Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And (CC)when He had removed him, (CD)He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, (CE)‘I have found David the son of Jesse, (CF)a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 (CG)From this man’s seed, according (CH)to the promise, God raised up for Israel (CI)a[n] Savior—Jesus— 24 (CJ)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, (CK)‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, (CL)there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’

26 “Men and brethren, sons of the [o]family of Abraham, and (CM)those among you who fear God, (CN)to you the [p]word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, (CO)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 (CP)And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 (CQ)Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, (CR)they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 (CS)But God raised Him from the dead. 31 (CT)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—(CU)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:

(CV)‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to [q]corruption, He has spoken thus:

(CW)‘I will give you the sure [r]mercies of David.’

35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:

(CX)‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

36 “For David, after he had served [s]his own generation by the will of God, (CY)fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and [t]saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up [u]saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that (CZ)through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and (DA)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,(DB) 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.’

Blessing and Conflict at Antioch

42 [v]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, (DC)persuaded them to continue in (DD)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 (DE)opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, (DF)“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but (DG)since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, (DH)we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:

(DI)‘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. (DJ)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, (DK)raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 (DL)But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples (DM)were filled with joy and (DN)with the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 12:4 Gr. tetrads, squads of four
  2. Acts 12:5 NU constantly or earnestly
  3. Acts 12:6 guarding
  4. Acts 12:18 disturbance
  5. Acts 12:20 who was in charge of the king’s bedchamber
  6. Acts 12:20 Lit. nourished
  7. Acts 12:23 breathed his last
  8. Acts 12:25 NU, M to
  9. Acts 13:6 NU the whole island
  10. Acts 13:8 opposed
  11. Acts 13:15 encouragement
  12. Acts 13:17 M omits Israel
  13. Acts 13:17 Mighty power
  14. Acts 13:23 M salvation, after
  15. Acts 13:26 stock
  16. Acts 13:26 message
  17. Acts 13:34 the state of decay
  18. Acts 13:34 blessings
  19. Acts 13:36 in his
  20. Acts 13:36 underwent decay
  21. Acts 13:37 underwent no decay
  22. Acts 13:42 Or And when they went out of the synagogue of the Jews; NU And when they went out, they begged