ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:1 The Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia.
Chapters Acts 13:1 and Acts 14:1 relate Paul’s “first missionary
journey.” Sent by the Antioch church, Paul and Barnabas witnessed on
Cyprus and in the southern cities of the Roman province of Galatia.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:2 WHILE THEY WERE WORSHIPING THE LORD AND
FASTING. “They” likely refers to the whole congregation, although
the five prophets may well have given the Spirit’s message.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:3 THEY. Probably the entire congregation. The
laying on of hands was a “commissioning,” indicating the
church’s support of the two in their mission. It also provided a
physical symbol of giving the Holy Spirit’s power to them (see Acts
6:6; Acts 8:17; Acts 9:17; Acts 19:6).
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:4 The two missionaries worked first on Cyprus,
Barnabas’s home (Acts 4:36). The events of Paul’s first missionary
journey are recorded in Acts 13:4. It likely began in A.D. 46 or 47
and lasted perhaps a year and a half.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:5 SALAMIS was the closest port of Cyprus (about
130 miles [209 km] southwest of Seleucia). JOHN 1:1 (John Mark) was an
assistant to Paul and Barnabas (see note on 12:12). They began their
witness in the SYNAGOGUES OF THE JEWS, a pattern regularly followed by
Paul (Acts 17:1). Th... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:6 PAPHOS was 90 miles (145 km) southwest of
Salamis. It was the seat of the Roman government of Cyprus. BAR-JESUS.
Paul’s later description of him as a “son of the devil” suggests
that his “magic” was assisted by demonic powers. Both pagan and
Jewish people practiced magic. Its... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:7 THE PROCONSUL was the highest-ranking
official in a Roman senatorial province.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:8 Bar-Jesus, also known as ELYMAS, opposed the
missionaries because he viewed them as a threat to his profitable
relationship with the proconsul.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:9 This verse marks the transition in Acts 1:1
from SAUL to PAUL. Now that he is working in Gentile territory, the
Hebrew Saul becomes known by his Roman name, Paul. He will be so named
throughout the rest of Acts 1:1, except in Acts 22:7, Acts 22:13, Acts
26:14, which recall ear... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:11 THE PROCONSUL BELIEVED. Throughout Acts 1:1,
miracles have a significant role in bringing unbelievers to genuine
faith.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:13 PERGA was 8 miles (13 km) inland. Paul does
not seem to have remained there long, but witnessed there on his
return journey (Acts 14:25). The reason for John Mark’s departure is
not specified. Paul’s later conflict with Barnabas (Acts 15:36)
shows that he was not pleased that... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:14 ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA. The city had a large
Jewish population. It had the high status of being a Roman
“colony.” SYNAGOGUE. See notes on v. 5; Romans 1:16.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:15 The regular synagogue service centered
around the reading of Scriptures from the LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
RULERS. Worship was led by the ruling elder.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:16 Paul’s sermon consisted of three parts: a
sketch of OT history (vv. Acts 13:16), God’s ultimate provision in
Jesus Christ (vv. Acts 13:26), and an invitation (vv. Acts 13:38). YOU
WHO FEAR GOD (v. Acts 13:16) refers to the “God-fearers” in the
synagogue (see note on 10:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:20 ABOUT 450 YEARS seems to cover the period
from Israel’s time in Egypt (400 years) through the wilderness (40
years) and conquest (about 10 years), to the judges.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:31 FOR MANY DAYS HE APPEARED suggests that
there were more resurrection appearances of Jesus than are recorded in
the Gospels.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:38 FREED. The Greek verb here is regularly
translated “justified” and means “to declare innocent, to
justify.” Many Jews sought to deal with their sin through living by
the LAW OF MOSES. The law cannot free a person from sin, though. Not
only do all people fail to keep it but it... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:42 Although the response at the synagogue was
favorable, the Jews turned against Paul the next Sabbath when a large
group of Gentiles showed up. Paul responded by preaching to the
Gentiles, a pattern he continued in every city he visited.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:44 Since the population of Antioch was mainly
Gentile, ALMOST THE WHOLE CITY indicates that the majority who came
were Gentiles.
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ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:46 Citing Isaiah 49:6, Paul stated he was now
TURNING TO THE GENTILES. Paul and Barnabas do the work of the
“servant” described in Isaiah 1:1 because of their connection to
Jesus, God’s servant. IT WAS NECESSARY to begin with the Jews since
they were God’s chosen people and had... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:48 AS MANY AS WERE APPOINTED TO ETERNAL LIFE
BELIEVED. Throughout Acts 1:1, Luke maintains a dual emphasis on
divine election (“appointed”) and human response (“believed”)
(see Acts 2:23; Acts 3:13; Acts 3:17; Acts 4:27; Acts 4:28).... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 13:51 SHOOK OFF THE DUST FROM THEIR FEET. See note
on Matt. 10:14. ICONIUM was 90 miles (145 km) by road southeast from
Pisidian Antioch.
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