“‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The term translated "despisers" in the Septuagint, which Paul uses here, likely arose from a slight textual variation that shifted the focus from "among the nations" to those who proudly reject God's work. This highlights that the astonishment and destruction are not just from external judgment, but from an internal spiritual hardness that refuses to believe what God is doing right before their eyes.
“‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul has just shared the gospel message with the Jewish community in Pisidia, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. When many of them rejected his message and spoke against it, Paul and Barnabas declared they would now turn to the Gentiles. This verse is Paul's solemn warning to those who are scoffing, quoting from the prophet Habakkuk to pronounce a severe judgment upon their disbelief and rejection of God's work in their time.
Why does Paul directly address his audience as 'despisers' when the original prophet spoke of 'heathens'? What does this shift reveal about their spiritual condition?
Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5, but with a significant change: from "Behold, you among the nations" to "Behold, you despisers." This isn't a mistranslation but a powerful adaptation.
A Shift in Focus
The prophet Habakkuk was warning his people about God's judgment coming through the nations. Paul, however, is speaking to Jews who are actively rejecting God's current work among the nations – specifically, the gospel being preached and received by Gentiles.
The Root of Unbelief
Calling them 'despisers' highlights their attitude. They aren't just ignorant; they are actively looking down on God's actions, particularly the inclusion of Gentiles in His plan. This contempt blinds them to the reality of what God is doing, leading to the astonishment and destruction that follows.
Paul warns that the people won't believe what God is doing, 'even if one tells it to you.' What makes God's work so hard to accept?
The verse declares that God is doing 'a work' that the audience 'shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.' This speaks to a profound crisis of faith.
Beyond Human Understanding
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This 'work' refers to the unfolding plan of salvation, now clearly demonstrated by the powerful spread of the gospel and the inclusion of Gentiles. For those blinded by tradition or prejudice, this radical shift is almost impossible to accept.
A Judgment of Disbelief
It's not just that the work is unprecedented; it's that their hearts are set against believing it. This disbelief is a chosen path, a consequence of their prior rejection. The amazement they experience is not one of wonder and awe at God's goodness, but of shock and horror at His judgment, leading to their 'perishing'—a complete ruin or vanishing from God's favor.
Understand the original words
kataphronētai · Greek Noun
Those who mock or express contempt, particularly toward God's message or messengers. In a biblical context, it implies a hardened heart that refuses to accept divine truth.
thaumasate · Greek Verb
To be filled with amazement or wonder. Biblically, this often signifies a reaction to divine intervention that is beyond human comprehension or expectation.
aphanisthēte · Greek Verb
To cease to exist, pass away, or be ruined. In a theological sense, it refers to the spiritual destruction or eternal judgment that befalls those who reject God.
Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5, adapting its prophecy of judgment against Israel through the Babylonians to warn the unbelieving Jews in Pisidia about their impending destruction by the Romans for rejecting the Messiah.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and thousands of Jewish leaders and craftsmen to Babylon, initiating the Babylonian exile.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This fulfills prophetic warnings of judgment.
c. 7th Century BC
Prophecy of Habakkuk
The prophet Habakkuk delivers his message, including the words Paul quotes, which originally warned of God's judgment through the Babylonians.
c. 4 BC - AD 30
Life of Jesus Christ
The ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, which the religious leaders of Jerusalem rejected, setting the stage for further judgment.
c. AD 40-45— this verse
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul and Barnabas travel through Asia Minor, facing rejection from some Jewish communities but seeing many Gentiles embrace the Gospel.
c. AD 64-68
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire sweeps through Rome, leading Emperor Nero to blame and persecute Christians. This event is seen by many as a precursor to further judgment.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple
The Roman army under Titus destroys Jerusalem and its Second Temple in response to a Jewish revolt, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy and Paul's warning.
This is the original source of the quote Paul uses, describing God's astounding and disbelieved work of judgment through the Chaldeans, paralleling God's work through the Romans against unbelieving Jews.
Isaiah 28:14-16This passage speaks of leaders who scorn God's word and trust in lies, facing a swift and terrible judgment that they will not believe when it comes, mirroring the attitude and fate of the 'despisers' in Acts.
Matthew 24:42-44Jesus warns His followers to be ready for His coming, as it will be at an unexpected time, reinforcing the theme of disbelief and the necessity of watchfulness when God's works, whether judgment or salvation, unfold.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12This passage describes people who reject the truth and are given over to believing falsehoods, which aligns with the idea in Acts that those who refuse to believe God's message will face delusion and destruction.
John 12:37-40This New Testament reflection on Isaiah highlights the persistent disbelief of many Jews towards Jesus, despite His signs, showing a consistent pattern of rejecting God's work, even when clearly revealed.
ellicottActs 13:41: "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you."
(41) Behold, ye despisers. —The quotation is from the LXX. version, the Hebrew giving “Behold, ye among the heathen.” So, in the next clause, “wonder, and perish” takes the place of “wonder marvellously.” The fact that St. Paul quotes from the prophet ( Habakkuk 1:5 ) whose teaching ( Habakkuk 2:4 ) that “the just by faith shall…
barnesActs 13:41: "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you."
Behold, ye despisers - Hebrew, "Behold, ye among the pagan." The change from this expression to "ye despisers" was made by the Septuagint translators by a very slight alteration in the Hebrew word - probably from a variation in the copy which they used. It arose from reading בּוגדים bowgadiym instead of בגּוים bagowyim. The Syr…
The term translated "despisers" in the Septuagint, which Paul uses here, likely arose from a slight textual variation that shifted the focus from "among the nations" to those who proudly reject God's work. This highlights that the astonishment and destruction are not just from external judgment, but from an internal spiritual hardness that refuses to believe what God is doing right before their eyes.
Paul has just shared the gospel message with the Jewish community in Pisidia, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. When many of them rejected his message and spoke against it, Paul and Barnabas declared they would now turn to the Gentiles. This verse is Paul's solemn warning to those who are scoffing, quoting from the prophet Habakkuk to pronounce a severe judgment upon their disbelief and rejection of God's work in their time.
Paul has just shared the gospel message with the Jewish community in Pisidia, highlighting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. When many of them rejected his message and spoke against it, Paul and Barnabas declared they would now turn to the Gentiles. This verse is Paul's solemn warning to those who are scoffing, quoting from the prophet Habakkuk to pronounce a severe judgment upon their disbelief and rejection of God's work in their time.
"“‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”" — The term translated "despisers" in the Septuagint, which Paul uses here, likely arose from a slight textual variation that shifted the focus from "among the nations" to those who proudly reject God's…
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Last reviewed October 2026