Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

13:13 Perga was 8 miles (13 km) inland. Paul does not seem to have remained there long but witnessed there on his return journey (14:25). The reason for John Mark's departure is not specified, though Paul's later conflict with Barnabas (15:36-41) shows it did not sit well with Paul. Among the extensive archaeological remains at Perga, the city gates, theater, sports arena, and an unidentified temple date to the time of Paul.

13:14 Antioch in Pisidia was one of 16 cities that the Syrian king Seleucus had named for his father Antiochus. The city had a large Jewish population and the high status of being a Roman "colony." It is to be distinguished from Antioch in Syria, from which Paul and Barnabas had begun their journey (see v. 1). Excavations at Pisidian Antioch have revealed much from Paul's day: city walls, a theater, large streets, a temple to the Anatolian god Men Askaenos, and a large temple platform probably related to emperor worship. synagogue. See notes on v. 5; Rom. 1:16.

13:15 The regular synagogue service centered around the reading of Scriptures from the Law and the Prophets (see note on Matt. 3:17). rulers. Worship was led by the ruling elder.

13:16-41 Paul's sermon (vv. 16-41) consisted of three parts: a sketch of OT history (vv. 16b-25), God's ultimate provision in Jesus Christ (vv. 26-37), and an invitation (vv. 38-41). With its historical sketch, the sermon is reminiscent of Stephen's. Both sermons emphasize God's raising up leaders for Israel, but with a major (though complementary) difference: Stephen pointed to Israel's rejection of its God-sent leaders, while Paul stressed God's grace in providing the leaders. You who fear God (v. 16) is a reference to the "God-fearers" in the synagogue (see note on 10:2).

13:17-21 A quick summary of Israel's history from the exodus to King Saul emphasized God's merciful provision for his people.

13:20 The reference to about 450 years seems to cover the period from Israel's time in Egypt (400 years) through the wilderness (40 years) and conquest (about 10 years), to the judges. This brief summary of Israel's history thus shows the step-by-step unfolding of God's plan first realized in King David but later fulfilled in the promised Son of David the promised "Savior, Jesus" (v. 23).

13:31 For many days he appeared suggests that there were more resurrection appearances of Jesus than are recorded in the Gospels.

13:36 After he had served the purpose of God in his own generation reveals a confidence in God's sovereign direction of history: David's kingdom was not meant to be final or ultimate but served a specific purpose for its time, as it anticipated the greater Messiah to come. Though he was not sinless, David was for the most part faithful to God, and thus he fulfilled God's purpose for his life. Faithfulness should be the goal of every Christian in every generation.

13:38-39 freed. The Greek (dikaioō) is often translated "justified" and means "to declare innocent, to justify." Jews sought to deal with their sin through living by the law of Moses. But the law cannot free a person from sin, not only because all people fail to keep it but also because it was never designed to bring about effective atonement for sins (Gal. 3:10-14; Heb. 10:1-14); only the one who believes in Christ and his saving sacrifice is free from sin and acceptable to God.