Dublin, OH
Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
13:42-52 Paul Turns to the Gentiles. Although the response at the synagogue was favorable, with Paul being asked to preach again, the Jews turned against him the next Sabbath when a large group of Gentiles showed up. Paul responded by turning to the Gentiles, a pattern he would continue in every city he visited: beginning with the Jews, then turning to the Gentiles when opposition forced him from the synagogue.
13:43 converts. The Greek (prosēlytos) is sometimes translated "proselyte."
13:44 Since the population of Antioch was mainly Gentile, almost the whole city indicates that the majority who showed up were Gentiles.
13:46-47 Citing Isa. 49:6, Paul stated he was now turning to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas can be seen as doing the work of the Servant because of their connection to Jesus. It was necessary to begin with the Jews since they were God's chosen people and had priority in salvation history (see note on Rom. 1:16). unworthy. Their stubborn resistance showed Paul that it would not be worthwhile for him to spend any more time trying to reason with them.
13:48 as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. Throughout Acts, Luke affirms the sovereignty of God over all of life while at the same time affirming the significance of human activity, as evidenced by the remarkable human effort and sacrifice involved in proclaiming the gospel. Thus Luke, without contradiction, maintains a dual emphasis on divine election ("appointed") and on human response ("believed") (cf. notes on 2:23; 3:13-16; 3:17; 4:27; 4:28). The emphasis here in 13:48 is on the way in which divine sovereignty (appointment) results in the belief of the Gentiles, demonstrating that their belief was due to God's grace alone.
13:51 shook off the dust from their feet. See note on Matt. 10:14. Iconium was
