What is happening in this passage where Paul and Barnabas preach?

In this passage, Paul and Barnabas have just preached in a synagogue. Some Jews and Gentile converts are interested and follow them, and they urge these people to keep holding on to the grace of God. By the next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathers to hear God’s word. Many Gentiles are eager and believe, but some Jews become jealous when they see the crowds. They speak against Paul’s message, stir up leaders in the city, and push the apostles out. Even so, the message spreads and the new disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Why were the Jews filled with envy when they saw the multitudes?

The passage says the Jews were “filled with envy” when they saw that almost the whole city came to hear Paul and Barnabas. Instead of rejoicing that many were hearing about salvation, they resented the attention and influence the apostles now had with the people, especially as Gentiles were being welcomed as equal heirs of God’s promises. This jealousy led them to contradict what Paul said and to speak in a way that dishonored God. Their envy shows how pride and fear of losing status can harden the heart against God’s word.

What does it mean that Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles?

When Paul and Barnabas say, “Lo, we turn to the Gentiles,” they are not giving up on Jews forever, but stating a clear shift in this city. God’s plan was that the good news would be spoken first to the Jews, who had God’s promises and Scriptures. But many there pushed the message away and, in doing so, were judging themselves unworthy of eternal life. Because of this rejection, Paul and Barnabas focus their efforts on the Gentiles, in line with God’s command that his servant be a light for the nations and bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

What does the phrase ‘judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life’ mean?

The phrase means that by refusing the message about Jesus, the listeners were, in effect, passing a verdict on themselves. Eternal life is a gift God offers in the gospel. When people push that gift away, they are not just turning down an idea, they are choosing to stay outside the blessings God holds out. Paul is saying, “You had the first offer, but you are rejecting it. By doing this, you yourselves are deciding that you do not want the eternal life God is offering.” It highlights how serious it is to resist God’s grace.

What does ‘as many as were ordained to eternal life believed’ mean?

This line shows that behind the response to the gospel is God’s own purpose. Not everyone in the crowd believed, even though many heard the same message. The verse says that those who were “ordained to eternal life” believed, meaning that God had already planned and set them apart for this salvation, and he worked in their hearts so they received the message. This wording has been read in more than one way, but the clear point is that faith is not just human effort. God’s grace comes first, and believing is the fruit of his plan and work.

Why did the Gentiles rejoice and glorify the word of the Lord?

The Gentiles rejoiced because they heard that God’s salvation was for them too, not only for the Jewish people. When Paul quoted the promise about being “a light of the Gentiles” and salvation reaching “the ends of the earth,” they realized that they were included in God’s plan. They were glad and honored the word of the Lord, treating the message about Jesus with respect and praise. Their joy shows how freeing it is to know that forgiveness and eternal life are offered by grace, not by belonging to a certain nation or keeping certain rituals.

Why did Paul and Barnabas shake the dust off their feet?

Shaking the dust off their feet was a sign that Paul and Barnabas were done with that city’s rejection and were leaving its people to the outcome of their choice. It was a visible way of saying, “We have done our part in bringing you God’s word. Your refusal is your own responsibility.” This act does not mean hatred, but a solemn warning. It also shows that the refusal of some does not stop God’s work. The apostles move on to Iconium, and God continues to gather and strengthen disciples elsewhere.

What does this passage teach about sharing the gospel today?

This passage shows that sharing the gospel will bring mixed responses. Some will be eager, like the Gentiles who begged to hear more and rejoiced when they learned salvation was for them. Others may react with jealousy, anger, or pressure, like the Jews who stirred up persecution. Still, Paul and Barnabas kept speaking clearly, encouraged new believers to continue in the grace of God, and moved on when a place firmly rejected the message. For believers today, this encourages patient boldness, a focus on receptive hearts, and trust that God will spread his word even through resistance.

How could the disciples be filled with joy and the Holy Ghost amid persecution?

Even though Paul and Barnabas were pushed out of the region, the passage says the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost. Their joy did not depend on comfort or acceptance from the city. It came from knowing they had received eternal life, that God’s word was true, and that his Spirit lived in them. The Holy Spirit gives inner strength, peace, and gladness that opposition cannot take away. This shows that following Jesus may bring trouble from others, but it also brings a deep, lasting joy that comes from God’s presence.

Acts.13.42

Acts 13:42

KJV

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

A Light for the Gentiles

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

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.

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

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.

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.

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.

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.

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

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.

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Cross References

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