Acts 13:42-52
Turning to the Gentiles
Read the passage
42As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to continue this message on the next Sabbath.
43After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
46Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
49And the word of the Lord spread throughout that region.
50The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.
51So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.
52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The first invitation is warm: people want to hear more, and many Jews and converts to Judaism follow Paul and Barnabas. The missionaries urge them to continue in God's grace. But when nearly the whole city gathers the next Sabbath, jealousy turns some hearers against the message.
Paul and Barnabas respond by turning to the Gentiles. They explain this from God's command to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Welcoming the nations is not a consolation prize after rejection; it belongs to God's purpose.
The Gentiles rejoice, and Luke says that all who were appointed for eternal life believe. Their faith is a real response to the word, and their salvation begins with God's gracious action. At the same time, those rejecting the message are responsible for their refusal. The passage gives us reason to thank God for belief and reason to take the invitation seriously.
Opponents stir up persecution and drive Paul and Barnabas from the district. Yet the disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. The missionaries' departure does not mean God has abandoned the people who have received his word.
Questions
1 Who wanted to hear more after the first Sabbath?
AnswerThe people asked Paul and Barnabas to speak again, and many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed them after the meeting.
2 What prompted the opposition on the following Sabbath?
AnswerSeeing the crowds filled some of the Jews with jealousy, and they contradicted Paul's message with blasphemous speech.
3 Why did Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles?
AnswerTheir opponents had rejected the word, and God's command called for salvation to reach the ends of the earth. The Gentiles were included in his purpose.
4 What happened to the disciples when the missionaries were driven away?
AnswerThey were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Opposition had not taken away what God had given them.
What This Means for Us
It can hurt when someone rejects the message we hoped they would welcome. This passage leaves room for that difficulty while showing us people who are glad to hear. We can keep speaking about Jesus without trying to control anyone's response. And when someone believes, we have reason to thank God for his grace rather than congratulate ourselves on being persuasive.
Prayer
Lord, give us courage when people resist the truth. Help us notice those who are ready to listen and keep our joy rooted in your presence. Amen.