‏ Acts 13

The Mission of Paul and Barnabas

This passage describes how Paul (then called Saul) and Barnabas were chosen by God to begin preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. The church at Antioch was guided by the Holy Spirit to send them out for this special mission. Their sending was marked by prayer, fasting, and the laying on of hands by other leaders in the church.

v. 1: The church in Antioch had many gifted leaders. There were prophets and teachers, such as Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who grew up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. These men were known for their wisdom, spiritual gifts, and dedication. Antioch was a large city with many believers, so it needed many teachers to help the church grow. Some leaders, like Manaen, gave up high positions in the world to serve Christ, showing that following Jesus is better than any job or title in society (Acts 11:20; Ephesians 4:11 ^a, Matthew 23:34 ^b).

v. 2: While these leaders were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them. He said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them (Acts 13:2 ^c). This showed that only God can truly choose and appoint his servants. The task was not described in detail, but Barnabas and Saul already knew what God wanted from earlier calls (Acts 9:15; Acts 22:21 ^d, Galatians 2:7-9 ^e). Being chosen by the Holy Spirit means being set apart from other work to serve Christ and help spread the gospel.

v. 3: After fasting and praying, the other leaders placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them off (Acts 13:3 ^f). This meant they were officially given their mission and blessed by the church. Laying on hands was a way to show support, ask for God’s blessing, and release them from their current duties in Antioch. The church prayed for their success and for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit as they went to new places to share the good news (2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 14:26 ^g). This also shows the humility of Barnabas and Saul, who accepted the church’s prayers, and the unity among the leaders who supported their new mission.

The First Missionary Journey: Cyprus and the Conversion of Sergius Paulus

This section begins Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, sent out by the Holy Spirit from the church in Antioch. They travel to the island of Cyprus, where they preach the gospel in the synagogues. They face opposition from a false prophet, but God shows His power through Paul. The gospel’s victory over sorcery and opposition demonstrates that God’s message is stronger than any earthly power.

v. 4–5: Paul and Barnabas, sent by the Holy Spirit, went to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John Mark was with them as their helper. This shows that the spreading of the gospel is the work of the Holy Spirit, and God uses His people to reach others.

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v. 6–7: As they traveled through the island to Paphos, they met a magician and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was with Sergius Paulus, the proconsul (a Roman governor). Sergius Paulus was an intelligent man who wanted to hear the word of God and invited Barnabas and Saul to speak to him. This teaches us that God’s message can reach those in high positions, and that some people are genuinely hungry to learn the truth.

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v. 8: But Elymas the magician (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. This shows that wherever the gospel is preached, there will be opposition. Those who serve God should not be surprised when they face difficulties or people who try to stop them.

v. 9–11: Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked seriously at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right. Will you never stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately, mist and darkness came over Elymas, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. This miracle showed that God’s power is greater than any magic or lies, and that opposing God’s work brings consequences.

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v. 12: When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, being amazed at the teaching about the Lord. This shows that the gospel changes lives, and that God can use miracles to confirm His message. Sergius Paulus’s faith is a reminder that even influential and educated people can come to believe in Jesus when they hear the truth and see God’s power at work.

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Paul Preaches in Antioch of Pisidia

This section describes how Paul and Barnabas, after leaving Cyprus, traveled to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day, they went into the synagogue and were invited to speak. Paul used this opportunity to explain how Jesus fulfilled the promises God made to Israel. He traced the history of God’s dealings with Israel and showed that Jesus is the long-awaited Savior. The message was first preached to the Jews, but it also reached the Gentiles, showing that the gospel is for everyone who believes.

v. 14–15: Paul and Barnabas traveled from Perga to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath, they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders invited them to speak, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.” This gave Paul an opportunity to share the message of Jesus with both Jews and Gentile worshippers gathered there.

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v. 16–22: Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and addressed the people of Israel and those who fear God. He reminded them of their history: how God chose their ancestors, rescued them from Egypt, and led them through the desert. He spoke about the time of the judges, the prophet Samuel, and how the people asked for a king. God gave them Saul, and later David, a man after God’s own heart. Paul was showing that God had a plan for Israel and was faithful to his promises.

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v. 23–25: Paul explained that from David’s descendants, God brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he had promised. Before Jesus came, John the Baptist preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. When John was finishing his work, he said, “Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” Paul was pointing out that even John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

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v. 26–31: Paul addressed his listeners as “brothers, children of Abraham, and those who fear God.” He said that the message of salvation was sent to them. The people in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus and condemned him, fulfilling the words of the prophets. Though they found no proper reason for his death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. After Jesus was killed and placed in a tomb, God raised him from the dead. He was seen by many witnesses, who are now telling others about him. Paul’s message focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus as the heart of the gospel.

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v. 32–37: Paul said that he and Barnabas were bringing the good news that God fulfilled his promises made to the ancestors by raising Jesus from the dead. He quoted from the Psalms and the prophets to show that these promises pointed to Jesus. Paul explained that Jesus’ resurrection is proof that he is the Holy One who would not see decay, unlike David, who died and was buried. This showed that Jesus is greater than David and is the Savior whom God promised.

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v. 38–41: Paul concluded by saying that through Jesus, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and everyone who believes is set free from every sin—a freedom that the law of Moses could not give. He warned them not to reject this message, as the prophets had warned about ignoring God’s work. Paul urged them to believe in Jesus and receive the salvation God offers. The message was both an invitation and a warning, showing the importance of responding to the gospel.

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The Gospel Rejected by Jews, Received by Gentiles in Antioch

This section describes what happened after Paul’s sermon in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia. Many people were interested in the message about Jesus, but not everyone responded the same way. Some Jews became jealous and opposed Paul and Barnabas, while many Gentiles eagerly accepted the good news. The result was that the message of salvation began to spread beyond the Jews to people of all nations, just as God had planned.

v. 42–43: As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, many people begged them to teach more about these things on the next Sabbath. Some of the Jews and many of the Gentile converts (those who already worshipped God but were not Jews by birth) followed them. Paul and Barnabas encouraged them to continue trusting in the grace of God. This shows that the message of Jesus was not only for Jews, but also for anyone who wanted to know God.

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v. 44–45: On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of God. When the Jewish leaders saw the large crowds, they became jealous and began to argue with Paul, speaking against what he said and even insulting him. Their jealousy blinded them to the truth and made them oppose the gospel, even though they claimed to be seeking God.

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v. 46–47: Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, telling the Jews that God’s plan was for them to hear the message of salvation first. But since they rejected it and did not consider themselves worthy of eternal life, Paul and Barnabas would now turn to the Gentiles. They quoted the prophet Isaiah, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6 ^h). This showed that God had always planned to offer salvation to people from every nation.

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v. 48–49: When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and honored the word of the Lord. Many of them believed in Jesus and received eternal life, just as God had promised. The word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region. This shows that the gospel is powerful and can change the lives of all who believe, no matter who they are or where they come from.

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v. 50–52: But the Jewish leaders stirred up some important women and the leading men of the city, causing persecution against Paul and Barnabas and forcing them to leave the area. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet as a sign that they were leaving the responsibility with those who rejected the message. Then they went to the next town, Iconium. The disciples who believed in Jesus were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit, showing that God’s presence was with them even in the midst of opposition.

‏ Acts 14

Paul at Iconium

This section describes Paul and Barnabas preaching in Iconium after leaving Antioch. We see how their message brought both belief and opposition, and how God worked through them with courage and miracles. The events here show both the power of the gospel and the reactions it can cause—some joyful, some hostile. The story also teaches us about staying faithful even when facing trouble, and trusting God for guidance and protection.

v. 1: Paul and Barnabas came to Iconium because they had to leave Antioch. Even though Jews in Antioch had treated them badly, they still went to the synagogue in Iconium and preached to the Jews first. They did not avoid the Jews just because of past experiences. Instead, they showed kindness and kept offering the gospel to everyone. This teaches us not to judge a whole group because of some people's actions. Paul and Barnabas went together to show their unity and love for each other. Their teamwork made their message stronger, just as the law says, out of the mouth of two witnesses every word may be established (Deuteronomy 19:15 ⁱ).

v. 2: Many people believed their message—both Jews and Gentiles. This was special because it brought Jews and Gentiles together in the church, showing that God accepts everyone who believes. The apostles preached with great power and clear words so that people could see they truly believed what they were saying. Their passion and honesty helped many to believe, but the real power came from the Holy Spirit, not just their way of speaking. They so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and also of Greeks believed (Acts 14:1 ^j).

v. 3: However, not everyone was happy. Some Jews refused to believe and tried to turn the Gentiles against the new believers. They spread lies and stirred up trouble, making others think badly of the Christians. This shows that the same message that brings life to some can cause anger in others. As Paul wrote, to one we are the aroma of life, to another the aroma of death (2 Corinthians 2:16 ^k). The Jews poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the believers and kept causing problems for them.

v. 4: Even with this opposition, Paul and Barnabas stayed in Iconium for a long time. They spoke boldly and trusted the Lord to help them. They did not let fear stop them. God gave them strength, just like he did for Ezekiel: I have made your face strong against their faces (Ezekiel 3:8 ^l). Jesus worked with them, confirming their message by giving them power to do miracles. These signs showed that the gospel is truly the word of God’s grace (Mark 16:20 ^m).

v. 5: The preaching of the gospel divided the city. Some people sided with the Jews who did not believe, and others sided with the apostles. This fulfilled Jesus’ words: Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division (Luke 12:51 ⁿ). The message of Jesus challenges people to make a choice. It is better for some to choose God, even if it causes conflict, than for all to stay together without God.

v. 6: The enemies of Paul and Barnabas, both Gentiles and Jews, along with their rulers, planned to mistreat and stone them. Even though Jews and Gentiles were often against each other, they joined together against the apostles, just as Herod and Pilate did against Jesus (Luke 23:12 ^o). Their plan was to shame and kill Paul and Barnabas, hoping this would stop their teaching.

v. 7: God protected the apostles by warning them about the danger. They escaped to Lystra and Derbe, cities in the region of Lycaonia. There they found safety, and they did not stop preaching the gospel. When one door closed in Iconium, God opened another in Lystra and Derbe. This shows us that God can always provide a place for his people to serve him, even in times of trouble.

Paul Heals a Cripple in Lystra; The People Mistake Paul and Barnabas for Gods

In this section, Paul and Barnabas perform a miracle in the city of Lystra by healing a man who had never been able to walk. The people of the city are amazed and think the two visitors are gods. This leads to confusion and a lesson about the living God, not idols. But even after this, troublemakers from other cities turn the crowd against Paul, leading to more suffering for the apostles. The story shows both the power of the gospel and the challenges of spreading it.

v. 8–10: In Lystra, there was a man who had been lame from birth and had never walked. He listened carefully to Paul speaking. Paul saw that the man had faith to be healed, so he called out, “Stand up on your feet!” Immediately, the man jumped up and began to walk. This miracle showed the power of Jesus and that faith in Him can do what is impossible for humans.

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v. 11–13: When the people saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their own language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because Paul was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, wanting to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas with the crowd. The people misunderstood the miracle and tried to worship the messengers instead of the true God.

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v. 14–18: When Paul and Barnabas heard this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are only human like you! We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless idols to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” Paul explained that in the past, God let all nations go their own way, but He has always shown kindness by giving rain, crops, and joy. Even with these words, they could hardly stop the crowd from sacrificing to them. Paul and Barnabas wanted the people to worship the true God, not idols or humans.

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Paul Stoned at Lystra, but Survives; The Missionaries Continue Their Journey

This section tells how quickly the crowd in Lystra turned against Paul. Even though he had just healed a crippled man, enemies from other cities convinced the people to stone him. Paul survived and continued preaching the gospel in other towns. This story teaches us that following Jesus can be dangerous, but God can protect and strengthen his servants even in the worst situations.

v. 19: Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the people in Lystra to turn against Paul. The same crowd that had wanted to worship Paul and Barnabas now became angry with them. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. This shows how easily people can be influenced and how quickly public opinion can change.

v. 20: After the crowd left, the disciples gathered around Paul. Amazingly, Paul got up and went back into the city. The next day, he and Barnabas left for Derbe. God gave Paul the strength to recover from this attack and continue his mission. Paul’s courage and determination remind us that God can help us stand up again, even after terrible trials.

v. 21–22: In Derbe, Paul and Barnabas preached the good news and made many disciples. Then they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, the places where they had faced danger. They encouraged the believers to stay strong in their faith. Paul told them, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22 ^p). This means that following Jesus is not always easy, but God promises to be with us through every difficulty.

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v. 23: Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church, praying and fasting as they chose leaders. They trusted these new believers to God, knowing that He would take care of them. This shows the importance of strong leaders and prayer in the church.

v. 24–28: After traveling through Pisidia and coming to Pamphylia, they preached in Perga and then went down to Attalia. From there, they sailed back to Antioch, where their missionary journey had started. When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported everything God had done through them, including how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. They stayed in Antioch for a long time with the disciples, sharing what God had done. This shows the importance of telling others how God is working, so everyone can be encouraged and give thanks to Him.