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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY TOUR

[“We Turn to the Non-Jews”]
Key word: Jews

Acts 13:1-3 – Antioch Congregation [47/48 AD]

AC13:1 Now in Antioch there were prophets and teachers in the congregation. 487 Their names were Barnabas, 488 Simeon of Niger, 489 Lucius of Cyrene, 490 Manaen who was raised with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 491

487

There were prophets and teachers in the congregation: Or, speakers and teachers. This may indicate that not all congregations had such offices of prophet and teacher. For details see notes on 1 Corinthians 12:28. These prophets and teachers are named below. See notes on Ephesians 4:12, 13 and James 3:1-3.

488	Barnabas: See notes on Acts 4:36.

489	Simeon of Niger: Niger means dark or black and likely refers to modern Nigeria.

490	Lucius of Cyrene: Luke of North Africa. Possibly one of those earlier preaching to non-Jews.

491	And Saul: Thus these, including Saul, held the office of elder as speaker and teacher.

AC13:2 And as they were publicly worshipping to the Supreme Being, 492 the holy Pneuma said: 493 “Set apart 494 to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them.”

492	Supreme Being: Or, the Lord; LORD. Most likely The God is being worshipped.

493	The holy Pneuma said: Likely through one of those other than Barnabas and Saul, thus either Simeon, Lucius or Manaen.

494	Set apart: Or, separate, dedicate, consecrate, appoint.

AC13:3 Then they fasted and prayed, 495 and after laying hands upon them 496 they sent them away.

495	Then they fasted and prayed: It would seem this required a day or more. Appointments are serious and demand a period of time for thought and prayer during which there is an abstinence from food and drink. Such “fasting” also requires a quick decision and not extended over considerable time.

496	Laying hands upon them: Compare notes on Hebrews 6:1 and elsewhere.

Acts 13:4-5 – To Seleucia, Cyprus, Salamis

AC13:4 Then being sent out by the holy Pneuma, 497 they went down to Seleucia, 498 and from there they sailed away to Cyprus. 499

497	Sent out by the holy Pneuma: That is by the inspired words and appointment of Simeon, Lucius and Manaen. Note this was not by the Jerusalem body with James as the presiding officer. This indicates that not one central body was authorized to make appointments.

498	Seleucia: About 12 miles SW of Antioch. A port/fortress on the mouth of a river accessing other places by boat.

499	Cyprus: WSW 100 nautical miles. Paul will travel thousands of miles by boat in his lifetime.

AC13:5 Now in Salamis 500 they proclaimed the Word of The God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had with them John [Mark] as a subordinate 501.

500	Salamis: A large town on the NE coast with a large Jewish population with at least two synagogues. Paul is going to following the route of Jewish synagogues as his base.

501

Subordinate: Or, minister, attendant, assistant, helper. The Greek is HYPERETEN [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5257, servant, assistant]. Likely running menial errands, assisting the two with material needs, and possible a secretary or copyist. Paul writes about 15 years later that “Mark is a good assistant.”

Acts 13:6-12 – In Paphos a Sorcerer and a Proconsul

AC13:6 They then crossed over the entire island as far as Paphos. 502 There they discovered a certain man named Bar-Jesus, 503 a magician and Jewish pseudo-prophet.

502	They then crossed over the entire island as far as Paphos: Following a road about 100 miles to the western port city. Ruins of this city can still be seen.

503	Bar-Jesus: Or, Son of Joshua. His other name Elymos means “sorcerer”. Likely some official in the island government close to Sergius Paulus.

AC13:7 He was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, 504 an intelligent man. [The proconsul] summoned Barnabas and Saul, seeking them to hear the Word of The God.

504	Proconsul Sergius Paulus: A proconsul was an official representative of the Roman Senate. An inscription has been found with the words, “in the proconsulship of Paulus.” [The Annual of the British School at Athens, London, 1947, pp. 201-206]

AC13:8 But, Elymas (this is [the] name [of Bar-Jesus] when translated) the magician was opposing them, trying to turn the proconsul away from the Faith. AC13:9 Now Saul, also called Paul, 505 filled with holy Pneuma, stared at him 506 and

505	Paul: Here begins the name change from the Hebrew Saul to the Roman Paul. Some believe the name means “little.” [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3972] His name will appear about 120 times in Acts.

506	Stared at him: Or, fixed his eyes, looked steadily, straight in the eye, looking hard, looked intently.

AC13:10 said: “O man full of all deceit and every kind of fraud, 507 a son of the Devil, 508 enemy of everything righteous, will you not stop twisting the ways 509 of YHWH?

507	Full of all deceit and every kind of fraud: Or, mischief, craftiness, false tricks, imposter, charlatan, sleight of hand. Likely referring to his magic.

508	A son of the Devil: Or, child of lies.

509	Will you not stop twisting the ways: Or, pervert, diverting, crooked.

AC13:11 Now, look, YHWH’s hand 510 is on you and you will be temporarily blind and not be able to see the sun.” Instantly a cloudy darkness fell on him and he stumbled about seeking someone to lead him.

510	YHWH’s hand: Or, Lord. Perhaps a Hebraism.

AC13:12 Now when the proconsul witnessed this happen he believed and was awe-struck at the teaching of the Master. 511

511	Awe-struck at the teaching of the Master: Or, astonished, amazed, thunderstruck, impressed, shaken to the core; doctrine.

Acts 13:13-16a – Paul’s Synagogue Speech

AC13:13 Then Paul 512 and his circle 513 put out to sea from Paphos to Perga of Pamphylia. 514 But, John [Mark] left them and returned to Jerusalem. 515

512	Then Paul: Note after the sign of blindness upon Bar-Jesus and likely his teaching of the proconsul, Paul is now mentioned first.

513	Circle: Or, company, associates, those around him, his friends. The Greek is the preposition PERI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4012, about, around]. Meaning Barnabas and Mark, though perhaps others have joined the missionary group.

514	Perga of Pamphylia: A Roman province Pamphylia is a coastal region in Turkey. The sailing trip would be over 200 miles. Perga is inland by river. The Greek geographer Strabo writes that this river was navigable as far N as Perga. [Geography, 14, IV, 2]

515	John [Mark] left them and returned to Jerusalem: The reason is not given, though one might assume a rich “momma’s boy” could not take the rigors of this tour and went home. Or, an immature personality clash. Or, news of his mother. This is to cause Paul considerable irritation. [Acts 15:38]

AC13:14 [Paul and Barnabas] left from Perga and arrived in Antioch of Pisidia. 516 They entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath 517 and sat down.

516	Antioch of Pisidia: Inland over 100 miles N.

517

They entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath: Paul has taken advantage of the groundwork laid down by the Jews over centuries. Judging from his writings elsewhere he is not a strict Sabbath observer, nor any longer a Jew in the strict religious sense. He is present in the synagogue of the Sabbath [Friday/Saturday] to testify to the Jews.

AC13:15 Now after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, 518 the synagogue leaders 519 went to them, asking: “Men, brothers, if you have any word of encouragement 520 to the [Jewish] people, speak.”

518	The reading of the Law and the Prophets: A standard part of the service continued to this day and copied in Christian Churches where a reading of the Bible is a normal part of most services. [Acts 15:21]

519	Synagogue leaders: Or, rulers, wardens, authorities, officials, presidents. The Church is to adopt something similar in the individual congregations with elders and a presiding overseer. [Mark 5:22]

520	Word of encouragement: Or, exhortation, word of counsel. Paul was a rabbi and it was common to have visiting Jews address the assembly. This indicates a degree of freedom and flexibility on the part of the synagogue.

AC13:16a Now Paul rose and motioning with his hand, 521 he said:

521

Motioning with his hand: Or, KNX: made a gesture… to calm audience; BER: suggesting silence by a wave. It is interesting this small matter is recorded, particularly as Luke has not yet joined the traveling group. Someone has remembered this. Perhaps the audience was astir with excitement with visitors.

Acts 13:16b-25 – From Judges to Jesus

AC13:16b “Men, Israelites, and those fearing The God, 522 listen.

522	Men, Israelites, and those fearing The God: The latter phrase likely refers to women as such are mentioned later in the account. See notes elsewhere on ANDRES APHELPHOI. Those who “fear God” are likely the “proselytes” mentioned later.

AC13:17 The God 523 of this people Israel chose our forefathers, and He made the people great during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With an uplifted arm He led them out of [that land]. [Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 7:6]

523

The God: Paul does not use YHWH in this address to a Jewish synagogue. He uses his preferred designation HO THEOS. Compare this sermon to another on the same subject for a Greek audience in Acts chapter 17. Paul’s synopses of Hebrew history may be compared to a longer variety by Stephen in Acts 7. He starts on common ground with information his audience already knows.

AC13:18 For forty years He tolerated them in the wilderness. [Exodus 16:35] AC13:19 After [Israel] destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave the land as their inheritance [Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 14:2] AC13:20 for about four hundred and fifty years. After this He gave judges until Samuel the prophet. [Judges 2:16; 1 Samuel 3:20] AC13:21 But, then [Israel] asked for a king and The God gave them one, Saul, son of Kish, a man from Benjamin’s tribe, who reigned forty years. [1 Samuel 8:5; 10:21; 11:15] AC13:22 After removing Saul, [The God] raised up David as a their king [Hosea 13:11; 1 Samuel 16:12] about whom He also said: ‘I have found David, Jesse’s son, a man agreeable to My heart… one who will do all My will.’” 524 [1 Samuel 13:14; Isaiah 44:28]

524

One who will do all My will: This phrase is borrowed from another context at Isaiah 44:28. One authority on Biblical quotations states: “Same words, but different subject. Said of Cyrus as a type of liberator of God’s People, but not said of David; however, as Cyrus is a type of Christ as liberator of the captivity of Israel, and because Christ is both descendant and antitype of David, there is a sense in which this refers back to David because of ‘David’s Greater Son’.” [Old Testament Quotations in the New Testament, page 51]

AC13:23 From this man’s seed The God brought a savior 525 to Israel according to [His] promise – Jesus.

525	A savior: The article “a” indicates there are other saviors. [KJV, TCN, NOR, WMS] The God is the Savior of Christ himself. [Hebrews 5:7] Similar titles do not mean the same nature.

AC13:24 John proclaimed 526 to all the people of Israel in advance of the appearance of [Jesus], a baptism of repentance. [Luke 3:3, 4]

526	John proclaimed: Paul shows his familiarity with the Gospel record and it is possible his paraphrase here is from Luke.

AC13:25 Now as John came to the end of his course, he said: ‘Who do you think me to be? I am not the One. But, look, the One whose sandals I am not worthy to untie, will come after me.’ [Luke 3:3, 4, 16]

Acts 13:26-31 – Witnesses to Christ’s Resurrection

AC13:26 “Men, brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and all those among you fearing The God, it was to we [Jews] the message of this salvation was sent forth. AC13:27 But those dwelling in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize this One – even though the voices of the prophets were read every Sabbath – and so they condemned him and fulfilled their words. AC13:28 For without finding any reason for his death [Matthew 26:60] they asked Pilate to do away with him. [Matthew 27:22] AC13:29 And when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about him, they took him down from the Tree 527 [John 19:40] and put him in a memorial tomb. 528 [Matthew 27:60]

527	Tree: Though some versions use “cross” here the Greek is XYLOU [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3586, wood, tree]. Peter has done the same. [Acts 5:30; 10:39; 1 Peter 2:24] Compare Galatians 3:13.

528	Put him in a memorial tomb: Paul seems very familiar with the Gospel of Matthew.

AC13:30 However, The God raised him up from the dead! AC13:31 He is the One who was seen throughout many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. [Matthew 28:16; Acts 1:3] These are now witnesses regarding him to all the [Jewish] people.”

Acts 13:32-37 – David and Jesus Compared

AC13:32 “And now we are proclaiming to you [Jews] the coming of the promise to the forefathers, AC13:33 that all these things The God completely fulfilled 529 to their children – to us – by raising Jesus, just as it has been written in the Second Psalm: 530 ‘You are My son! Today I have begotten you!’ [Psalm 2:7]

529	God completely fulfilled: The Greek is EK- [out] PE- [has] PLERO- [fulfilled] KEN. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1603, fill up completely. Or, WUE: has completely fulfilled.

530	Second Psalm: Paul quotes Psalm 2:7 and applies it to the resurrection of Christ. Thus, verse 6 is also fulfilled this same year. Compare Peter’s quote of Psalm 2:1, 2 in Acts 4:24f.

AC13:34 That [Christ] would be raised from the dead never to return to corruption, He has said: ‘I give to you [people of Israel] the reliable covenant-loyalty of David.’ 531 [Isaiah 55:3 LXX]

531	I give to you [people of Israel] the reliable covenant-loyalty of David: Isaiah chapter 53 suggests the resurrection of Messiah at Isaiah 53:12.

AC13:35 Also in another psalm, He says: ‘You will not permit your Saint to experience decay.’ 532 [Psalm 16:10 LXX]

532	You will not permit your Saint to experience decay: Or, corruption. Peter quotes the same Psalm at Acts 2:31.

AC13:36 For surely David, having served on behalf of God’s counsel in his own generation, fell asleep and was added to those of his forefathers and did experience decay. 533 [1 Kings 2:10]

533	Did experience decay: David, like all the Hebrew forefathers decayed in Hades. Peter makes a similar argument. [Acts 2:29]

AC13:37 However, that One The God raised did not experience decay.”

Acts 13:38-41 – Believers Declared Guiltless

AC13:38 “So, men, brothers, let it be known, then, that by means of this One forgiveness of sins is proclaimed. Also, that from all these [sins] you [Jews] cannot by the Law of Moses ever be declared innocent. 534

534	You [Jews] cannot by the Law of Moses ever be declared Not Guilty: Or, justified, declared righteous, cleared, absolved, acquitted. Paul’s first use of a word that will become his theme. [Romans 8:3; Hebrews 7:19; 10:1]

AC13:39 Anyone who is declared innocent believes in this One. AC13:40 And so, be aware, then, that what is spoken by the prophets does not happen to you [Jews]: AC13:41 ‘Look, all of you scoffers, 535 marvel and disappear, because I perform a work in your days – a work that you [Jews] will never believe even if someone were to relate it to you.’” 536 [Habakkuk 1:5 LXX]

535	Look, all of you scoffers: Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5 as a warning to these Jews.

536	Never believe even if someone were to relate it to you: Perhaps Paul anticipates their response to his message.

Acts 13:42-43 – Jews Call for More

AC13:42 Now as they were leaving [the synagogue], the [Jews] kept begging them to speak to them 537 on the following Sabbath.

537	Kept begging them to speak to them: This interest will cause the Jewish leadership to jealousy and opposition.

AC13:43 After the meeting was dissolved, many of the Jews, as well as those worshipping proselytes, 538 kept following Paul and Barnabas, who had spoken to them, persuading them to remain in the unmerited favor of The God.

538	Proselytes: Or, converts, become Jews. The Ethiopian eunuch and Cornelius would be examples. [Acts 8, 10] Esther 8:17 reads: “And many of the Non-Jews were circumcised, and became Jews.” [LXX Bagster]

Acts 13:44-47 – “We Turn to the Non-Jews”

AC13:44 Now on the following Sabbath virtually the entire city assembled to hear the Word of The God. AC13:45 But, when the [leaders of the] Jews observed the crowd they were filled with jealousy 539 and began to speak abusively 540 about Paul contradicting the things he spoke.

539	Jews observed the crowd they were filled with jealousy: Such jealousy is common even among Christians where one teacher attracts more interest than another. Jealousy almost always leads to what is mentioned next. Compare also Acts 5:17; 7:9; 17:5.

540	Speak abusively: Or, blaspheme, abusive language, reviled. When one hears such speech about another it is almost always caused by jealousy.

AC13:46 Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, saying: “It was a necessity that the Word of The God first be spoken to you [Jews]! 541 Since you [Jews] reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting Life, look, we will turn to the non-Jews. 542

541	Word of The God first be spoken to you [Jews]: The 49th week of Daniel 9:25-27 is fulfilled in the seven years of special grace to the Jews. Paul writes of the “Jew first” at Romans 1:16. Compare notes on Matthew 10:6.

542	We will turn to the non-Jews: This marks a major change in Paul’s work which will now focus on the non-Jews though he will use the synagogue system where he can.

AC13:47 For so the Supreme Being commanded us: ‘I have appointed you as a light to the non-Jews 543 so you will become a salvation unto earth’s extremities.’” [Isaiah 49:6]

543

I have appointed you as a light to the non-Jews: Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6, a chapter he also quotes at 2 Corinthians 6:2. The “you” here would be Jewish Christians who represent the first members of the “Israel of God” as light to the Non-Jews. [Galatians 6:16; Romans 2:28, 29; 9:6] Isaiah chapter 49 is also alluded to at Revelation 7:15-17.

Acts 13:48-52 – Jews Stir Up Trouble, Non-Jews Rejoice

AC13:48 When the non-Jews heard this they rejoiced 544 and kept glorifying the Word of The God, and all those who believed were disposed 545 to everlasting Life.

544	When the non-Jews heard this they rejoiced: Immediately God blesses this decision and the result is new believers on Cyprus.

545	Disposed: Or, ordained, predestined, marked out, appointed, destined. The Greek is TETAGMENOI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5021, arrange in an orderly manner, assign, dispose to a certain position]. It is not the individuals who are so disposed but the type of Life the Church will receive.

AC13:49 So, the Word of the Master spread throughout the whole region. AC13:50 But, the Jews urged on the prominent Jewish women 546 who worshipped [God], as well as the important men of the city. So these instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and then drove them out of their [city], beyond their borders.

546	Jews urged on the prominent Jewish women: Or, MOF: devout women of rank; TCN: ladies of position; BER: women of wealth; RIE: influential women attached to the synagogue; NWT: reputable women.

AC13:51 Now [Paul and Barnabas] shook the dust off their feet against them, 547 [Matthew 10:14] and then they arrived at Iconium. 548

547	Shook the dust off their feet against them: An allusion to the Nazarene at Matthew 10:14. Has Paul read Matthew’s Gospel?

548	Iconium: About 100 miles ESE into Galatia on the Turkish plateau. It was a large city situated on a major trade route and had a large Jewish population. In Greek “icon” means “idol” or “image.”

AC13:52 And the disciples continued to be filled with joy and holy Pneuma.

Review Questions on Chapter Thirteen