All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The most striking thing here is that Paul is using a Jewish chronology that differs from the one found in 1 Kings! This 450-year figure, a common point of confusion, aligns with the historian Josephus and likely reflects the widely accepted timeline among Jews in Paul's day, even if it doesn't perfectly match our Old Testament text.
All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In his sermon, Paul traces God's faithfulness to Israel from Abraham, highlighting their deliverance from Egypt, their settlement in Canaan, and the period of judges that followed. This lengthy period, which Paul states lasted about 450 years, ultimately led to the people demanding a king, resulting in the reigns of Saul and then David. Paul emphasizes that David, according to God's promise, was a precursor to the Messiah, Jesus, who is the ultimate Savior God raised up for Israel.
Ever notice how Bible numbers sometimes feel a little fuzzy? This verse throws out a specific number, but also a qualifier: 'about'. Let's explore why that matters.
Paul here uses 'about 450 years' to describe the period leading up to Samuel. It’s crucial to understand that ancient chronologies, both in Scripture and outside of it, weren't always meant to be exact to the year.
Round Numbers and 'About'
This approach to numbers helps us focus on the bigger narrative of God's faithfulness rather than getting bogged down in chronological debates.
Ask a follow-up
The period of the judges was marked by cycles of rebellion and deliverance. What does it reveal about God's character and His people?
The 'judges' weren't just legal arbiters; they were divinely appointed leaders raised up in times of crisis. This period, stretching 'until Samuel the prophet,' shows God's ongoing engagement with Israel, even amidst their failures.
More Than Rulers
Paul highlights this era to show God's faithfulness in action, actively intervening in the lives of His people, even when they strayed.
Understand the original words
kritas · Greek Noun
Leaders raised up by God during the era between the conquest of Canaan and the monarchy to deliver Israel from oppression and govern according to God’s law. They serve as agents of divine justice, rescue, and temporary spiritual leadership.
prophētēn · Greek Noun
One called by God to speak His message, reveal His will, and call the people to repentance. Prophets served as the conscience of the nation, bridging the gap between God's holiness and the people's disobedience through revelation and warning.
The 'about 450 years' Paul mentions is part of a larger biblical narrative, likely following a traditional chronology that differed from the 480 years noted in 1 Kings 6:1. This highlights how ancient texts and traditions sometimes offered different, yet valuable, ways of understanding historical periods.
c. 1897 BC
Birth of Isaac
The birth of Isaac, son of Abraham, is seen by some scholars as the starting point for the 450-year period mentioned in Acts 13:20, marking a key moment in God's covenant with Abraham's chosen lineage.
c. 1447 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, a pivotal event leading to their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1407 BC
Conquest and Division of Canaan
Following their 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites conquered and divided the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes.
c. 1400 BC - c. 1050 BC— this verse
Period of the Judges
This era saw Israel governed by charismatic leaders called 'judges' who delivered them from oppression, a period Paul summarizes as lasting about 450 years.
c. 1100 BC
Samuel the Prophet
Samuel, the last of the judges and a significant prophet, served during a crucial transition period for Israel, eventually anointing the first king.
c. 1050 BC
Reign of King Saul
Israel's first king, Saul, reigned for approximately 40 years, marking the end of the judge system and the beginning of the monarchy.
c. 1010 BC
Reign of King David
David, a man after God's own heart, succeeded Saul and reigned for 40 years, establishing Jerusalem as the capital and preparing the way for the Temple.
This passage describes how God raised up judges to deliver Israel from oppression, echoing the theme of divine intervention in leadership presented in Acts 13:20.
1 Samuel 8:5This verse shows the Israelites' demand for a king, marking the transition away from the period of judges mentioned in Acts 13:20 and highlighting Samuel's significant role as the last judge.
Psalm 106:4-5This psalm recounts God's faithfulness in raising up deliverers (judges) for Israel, reinforcing the idea of God's ongoing provision for His people as described in Acts 13:20.
Nehemiah 9:27This prayer recalls God giving 'rulers' (often translated as judges) to His people, emphasizing a pattern of God's leadership through appointed individuals, consistent with the narrative in Acts 13:20.
barnesActs 13:20: "And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet."
He gave unto them judges - Men who were raised up in an extraordinary manner to administer the affairs of the nation, to defend it from enemies, etc. See Judges 2:16 . About the space of four hundred and fifty years - This is a most difficult passage, and has exercised all the ingenuity of chronologists. The ancient versions agree with the present Greek text. The diff…
clarkeActs 13:20: "And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet."
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years - This is a most difficult passage, and has been termed by Scaliger, Crux Chronologorum. The apostle seems here to contradict the account in 1 Kings 6:1 : And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in…
The most striking thing here is that Paul is using a Jewish chronology that differs from the one found in 1 Kings! This 450-year figure, a common point of confusion, aligns with the historian Josephus and likely reflects the widely accepted timeline among Jews in Paul's day, even if it doesn't perfectly match our Old Testament text.
In his sermon, Paul traces God's faithfulness to Israel from Abraham, highlighting their deliverance from Egypt, their settlement in Canaan, and the period of judges that followed. This lengthy period, which Paul states lasted about 450 years, ultimately led to the people demanding a king, resulting in the reigns of Saul and then David. Paul emphasizes that David, according to God's promise, was a precursor to the Messiah, Jesus, who is the ultimate Savior God raised up for Israel.
In his sermon, Paul traces God's faithfulness to Israel from Abraham, highlighting their deliverance from Egypt, their settlement in Canaan, and the period of judges that followed. This lengthy period, which Paul states lasted about 450 years, ultimately led to the people demanding a king, resulting in the reigns of Saul and then David. Paul emphasizes that David, according to God's promise, was a precursor to the Messiah, Jesus, who is the ultimate Savior God raised up for Israel.
"All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet." — The most striking thing here is that Paul is using a Jewish chronology that differs from the one found in 1 Kings! This 450-year figure, a common point of confusion, aligns with the historian Josephu…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026