Barnabas, typically portrayed as an encourager and mediator, here receives direct divine calling alongside Saul, marking his only appearance in a prophetic commissioning scene.
Acts 13
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
1Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”
3Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.
5When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their attendant.
6When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar Jesus,
7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him
10and said, “You son of the devil, full of all deceit and all cunning, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
In Pisidian Antioch
13Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
14But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.
15After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.”
16Paul stood up, and gesturing with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.
17The God of this people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it.
18For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
19When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance for about four hundred fifty years.
20After these things, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
21Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
23From this man’s offspring, God has brought salvation to Israel according to his promise,
24before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.
25As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26“Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.
27For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
28Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed.
29When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.
30But God raised him from the dead,
31and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.
32We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers,
33that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your father.’
34“Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.’
36For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.
37But he whom God raised up saw no decay.
38Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins;
39and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets:
41‘Behold, you scoffers! Wonder and perish, for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.’”
42So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
43Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44The next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
46Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from yourselves, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
47For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”
48As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
49The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region.
50But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders.
51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
52The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
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Theme
Acts 13 marks the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey as the Holy Spirit calls and commissions Barnabas and Saul for evangelistic work among the Gentiles. Their mission takes them to Cyprus, where Paul confronts the sorcerer Elymas and wins the conversion of proconsul Sergius Paulus, then to Pisidian Antioch where Paul delivers a comprehensive sermon tracing God's salvation history from the patriarchs through David to Jesus. This chapter establishes the pattern of Paul's ministry: preaching first in synagogues, demonstrating God's power over opposition, and proclaiming Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.
Context
This chapter transitions from the Jerusalem-centered ministry of Acts 1-12 to Paul's systematic evangelization of the Roman world that dominates the remainder of Acts.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 The Holy Spirit's Commission The church at Antioch receives divine direction to set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work.
- 4-5 Departure to Cyprus The missionaries sail to Cyprus and begin preaching in Jewish synagogues at Salamis.
- 6-12 Confrontation with Elymas Paul strikes the sorcerer Elymas blind, leading to the proconsul Sergius Paulus's conversion.
- 13 Journey to Pamphylia The team travels to Perga where John Mark abandons the mission and returns to Jerusalem.
- 14-41 Paul's Sermon in Pisidian Antioch Paul delivers a major address tracing Israel's history and proclaiming Jesus as the promised Messiah.
- 42-52 Mixed Reception and Persecution Initial interest gives way to Jewish opposition, leading Paul and Barnabas to turn to the Gentiles.
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
13:1–13:12 narrative narration triumphant
The Holy Spirit calls Barnabas and Saul for missionary work, leading to their first journey where Paul confronts a sorcerer and converts a Roman proconsul. This marks the beginning of Paul's missionary ministry and demonstrates God's power over false spiritual forces.
person_contrast
Barnabas, typically portrayed as an encourager and mediator, here receives direct divine calling alongside Saul, marking his only appearance in a prophetic commissioning scene.
In Pisidian Antioch
13:13–13:52 narrative speech solemn
Paul delivers a comprehensive sermon in Pisidian Antioch, tracing Israel's history from the exodus through David to Jesus as the promised Messiah. The message emphasizes God's faithfulness to His promises and the fulfillment of salvation through Christ.
quotation_chain
Paul's sermon weaves together Psalms 2:7, Isaiah 55:3, and Psalms 16:10 to create Christianity's first recorded systematic argument for Jesus as Messiah through resurrection fulfillment.
Insights
Paul's sermon weaves together Psalms 2:7, Isaiah 55:3, and Psalms 16:10 to create Christianity's first recorded systematic argument for Jesus as Messiah through resurrection fulfillment.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Acts 13:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 11:22 Lexical
The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far…
Acts 15:22 Lexical
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and sen…
Acts 8:3 Lexical
But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison.
Acts 11:26 Lexical
When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and ta…
Acts 14:12 Lexical
They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker.
Acts 13:2 1 reference
Acts 13:3 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 19:13 Lexical
Then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
Acts 6:6 Lexical
whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 28:8 Lexical
The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, heal…
Acts 8:17 Lexical
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:5 1 reference
Acts 13:6 1 reference
Acts 13:7 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 15:25 Lexical
it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Pa…
Acts 15:22 Lexical
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and sen…
Acts 19:38 Lexical
If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open and there ar…
Acts 15:35 Lexical
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Acts 15:36 Lexical
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the…
Acts 13:8 1 reference
Acts 13:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 7:55 Lexical
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on…
Luke 1:15 Lexical
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Ho…
Luke 1:41 Lexical
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:31 Lexical
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit,…
Acts 9:17 Lexical
Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to…
Acts 13:10 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 9:41 Lexical
Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.…
Matthew 17:17 Lexical
Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring hi…
1 Peter 3:10 Lexical
For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
Acts 13:11 3 references
Lexicals 3
John 9:41 Lexical
Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
Luke 1:20 Lexical
Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe…
2 Corinthians 6:2 Lexical
For he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you. In a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptabl…
Acts 13:13 1 reference
Acts 13:14 2 references
Acts 13:15 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 24:19 Lexical
He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in…
1 Timothy 4:13 Lexical
Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.
Hebrews 13:22 Lexical
But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
Acts 21:28 Lexical
crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and th…
Revelation 22:6 Lexical
He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to…
Acts 13:16 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 21:40 Lexical
When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a g…
Acts 2:22 Lexical
“Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs…
Acts 21:11 Lexical
Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at J…
Acts 10:22 Lexical
They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the J…
Mark 6:20 Lexical
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many t…
Acts 13:17 2 references
Acts 13:18 1 reference
Acts 13:20 2 references
Acts 13:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 2:36 Lexical
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived w…
Mark 6:22 Lexical
When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to…
Mark 6:25 Lexical
She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Bapt…
Revelation 7:8 Lexical
of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, and of the tribe of Benjamin twelve tho…
Philippians 3:5 Lexical
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a…
Acts 13:22 2 references
Acts 13:24 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 19:4 Lexical
Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the on…
Mark 1:4 Lexical
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
Luke 7:29 Lexical
When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s ba…
Acts 13:25 4 references
Lexicals 4
John 1:27 Lexical
He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.”
Acts 7:33 Lexical
The Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy ground.
Luke 3:16 Lexical
John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandal…
Revelation 3:9 Lexical
Behold, I make some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will…
Acts 13:26 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 19:9 Lexical
Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.
Acts 7:2 Lexical
He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, befo…
Hebrews 7:5 Lexical
They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people accord…
Acts 13:27 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 2:14 Lexical
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea and all you who dwe…
Revelation 6:10 Lexical
They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on thos…
Matthew 2:23 Lexical
and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he w…
Acts 13:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 19:4 Lexical
Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis fo…
John 18:38 Lexical
Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no…
John 19:6 Lexical
When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them…
Acts 28:18 Lexical
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
Acts 23:29 Lexical
I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of impris…
Acts 13:29 1 reference
Acts 13:31 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 15:41 Lexical
who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
Acts 10:41 Lexical
not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose f…
2 Timothy 2:2 Lexical
The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men who will be able to…
Luke 5:17 Lexical
On one of those days, he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by who had come out of e…
Matthew 27:55 Lexical
Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.
Acts 13:33 5 references
Lexicals 4
Hebrews 1:5 Lexical
For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father?” and again, “I will…
Hebrews 5:5 Lexical
So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I…
Matthew 26:24 Lexical
The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would…
Mark 14:21 Lexical
For the Son of Man goes as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be…
Acts 13:34 5 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 2:27 Lexical
because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
Acts 17:31 Lexical
because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of whi…
Revelation 2:10 Lexical
Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison…
Luke 24:46 Lexical
He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the t…
Acts 13:35 2 references
Acts 13:41 4 references
Lexicals 4
1 Corinthians 16:10 Lexical
Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
John 9:4 Lexical
I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.
John 6:30 Lexical
They said therefore to him, “What then do you do for a sign, that we may see and believe you? What work do you do?
2 Thessalonians 1:10 Lexical
when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints and to be admired among all those who have believed, because our…
Acts 13:42 1 reference
Acts 13:43 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 17:4 Lexical
Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chie…
Acts 17:10 Lexical
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synag…
Acts 17:17 Lexical
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who me…
Acts 18:4 Lexical
He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Acts 22:30 Lexical
But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds and co…
Acts 13:44 1 reference
Acts 13:45 2 references
Acts 13:46 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 14:12 Lexical
They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker.
Acts 9:27 Lexical
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and tha…
Acts 15:12 Lexical
All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done amo…
Acts 26:20 Lexical
but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles,…
1 Timothy 1:16 Lexical
However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example o…
Acts 13:47 4 references
Lexicals 3
1 John 2:9 Lexical
He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness even until now.
Acts 1:8 Lexical
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Jude…
Revelation 18:23 Lexical
The light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. The voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more…
Acts 13:48 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 5:24 Lexical
“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into ju…
Acts 15:7 Lexical
When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made…
Romans 11:13 Lexical
For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry,
John 3:15 Lexical
that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:36 Lexical
One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains…
Acts 13:50 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 17:4 Lexical
Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chie…
Acts 16:14 Lexical
A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us. The Lord open…
Acts 15:36 Lexical
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the…
Acts 25:2 Lexical
Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,
Acts 21:39 Lexical
But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to t…
Acts 13:51 1 reference
Acts 13:52 5 references
Lexicals 5
Romans 15:13 Lexical
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Ho…
1 Thessalonians 1:6 Lexical
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 14:17 Lexical
for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:3 Lexical
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price o…
Acts 1:16 Lexical
“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of…
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Lemma
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Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Exodus
c. 1446 BCIsrael's miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery under Moses' leadership, including the ten plagues and Red Sea crossing. This foundational event established Israel as God's chosen nation.
Paul traces God's faithfulness from the exodus through David to demonstrate Jesus' messianic fulfillment.
In Pisidian Antioch