Acts 13:44-50

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 13:42-52

The design of this story being to vindicate the apostles, especially Paul (as he doth himself at large, Rom. 11:1-36), from the reflections of the Jews upon him for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, it is here observed that he proceeded therein with all the caution imaginable, and upon due consideration, of which we have here an instance. I. There were some of the Jews that were so incensed against the preaching of the gospel, not to the Gentiles, but to themselves, that they would not... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 13:42-52

13:42-52 As they were going out, they kept asking that these things should be spoken to them on the next Sabbath. When the synagogue service had broken up many of the Jews and worshipping proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas. They talked with them and tried to persuade them to abide in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of God. When the Jews saw the crowds they were filled with envy and they argued against what Paul said, making... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:44

And the next sabbath day ,.... The same which is before called the "sabbath between", which was between the first and tenth of Tisri, or between the beginning of the year, and the day of atonement: came almost the whole city together . The Syriac and Ethiopic versions leave out the word "almost", and read, the whole city came together; some out of curiosity, having heard much said of these men and their doctrines, others to cavil and quarrel, and others from a true affection to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes ,.... The vast number of people, the inhabitants of the city, the Gentiles, that were assembled together to hear the word. This must be understood of the unbelieving Jews, who came with no good design: they were filled with envy ; at the Gentiles, that they should have the word equally preached to them, as to themselves, to whom the oracles of God were committed; or at the popularity of the apostles, that such numbers should follow them; and they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:46

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold ,.... They were not at all daunted at the opposition they met with, but rather grew more courageous, and used great liberty of speech, and spoke out freely, plainly, and openly: and said, it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you ; as it was by Christ and his apostles, whilst he was on earth; and though, after his resurrection, the commission to his apostles ran, to preach the Gospel to all nations, yet they were ordered... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:47

For so hath the Lord commanded us ,.... For though Christ in his first commission restrained his disciples from going into the Gentiles, and preaching to them, yet when he enlarged their commission after his resurrection, he bid them go into all nations, and preach the Gospel to every creature; and told them, that they should be his witnesses to the uttermost part of the earth; see Matthew 28:19 unless this should rather be thought to refer to what follows: saying ; or "as it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:48

And when the Gentiles heard this ,.... That it was the will of God, and the command of Christ, that the Gospel should be preached to them; by whom are to be understood the Pisidians, the inhabitants of Antioch, who had never been proselytes to the Jewish religion: they were glad ; not that the Jews were likely to have the Gospel taken away from them, and be utterly deprived of it, but that it was to be preached to them: and glorified the word of the Lord ; not the Lord Jesus Christ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:49

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. That is, of Pisidia, in which Antioch was; not by the Apostles Paul and Barnabas, who seem to go directly to Iconium, after they were expelled the city and suburbs of Antioch; but by some of those who were converted under their ministry, and had gifts bestowed on them, qualifying them to preach the Gospel to others, which they did with success. There were no doubt several churches planted in this country, and particularly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:50

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women ,.... These seem not to be Jewish women; could they be thought to be such, they might easily be concluded to be of the sect of the Pharisees, which was the strictest and most devout sect among the Jews; for there were women Pharisees, as well as men; so we read of אשה פרושה , "a woman Pharisee" F2 Misn. Sota, c. 3. sect. 4. ; but these were Gentile women, proselyted to the Jewish religion, and were in their way very religious... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:44

The next Sabbath day - The good news had spread far and wide, by means of the converted Jews and proselytes. Almost the whole city - Jews, proselytes, and Gentiles, came together to hear τον λογον του Θεου , this doctrine of God, this Divine teaching, by which so many of their kindred and acquaintance had become so wise and happy. It is not by public discourses merely that people are converted to God; but by the private teaching and godly conduct of those who have received the truth;... read more

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