Acts 13:46-47
And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul and Barnabas are not just stating a fact about God's plan; they're highlighting how the Jews' rejection is a radical act of self-condemnation, a choice to deem themselves unworthy of eternal life. The emphatic "lo!" signals this as a pivotal, life-altering moment, a turning point where God's grace now pivots towards those who will receive it.
After preaching the gospel in the synagogue and seeing many Jews and devout Gentiles believe, Paul and Barnabas faced the envy and opposition of some influential Jews. When these leaders stirred up persecution, causing Paul and Barnabas to be expelled from the city, the apostles shook the dust off their feet in a symbolic act of judgment. This marked a turning point, signaling their shift in focus to the Gentiles who were eager to hear God's word.
Why did Paul and Barnabas have to preach to the Jews first? And what happens when people actively reject God's offer?
The apostles weren't just randomly choosing who to speak to; they were following a divine plan. Jesus himself instructed them that the message of salvation was to go 'first to the Jews' (Luke 24:47). This was rooted in God's covenant promises to Abraham, making the Jewish people the original recipients of the Gospel's fulfillment.
However, this 'necessity' was met with a stark human choice. The Jews in Antioch thrust aside God's word. This wasn't a passive non-response; it was an active rejection. The commentary notes this was like 'thrusting' or 'violently rejecting' the message. By their actions, they were essentially judging themselves 'unworthy of eternal life.' It's a heavy truth: God offers life, but our choices determine if we embrace it.
Imagine the tension in that room! What fueled Paul and Barnabas's bold declaration, and what was its immediate impact?
When faced with such determined rejection, the apostles didn't shrink back. Instead, they 'spoke out boldly.' This wasn't anger for anger's sake, but a righteous indignation born from seeing God’s precious word scorned. They recognized the gravity of the Jews' actions – not just disagreeing, but actively pushing away the very source of eternal life.
The declaration, 'behold, we are turning to the Gentiles,' marks a significant turning point. It wasn't an abandonment of the Jewish people forever, but a strategic shift, a recognition that their mission must now embrace those who would receive the message. This declaration would have been startling to the Jewish audience, a divine signal that God’s mercy was expanding, and thrilling to the Gentiles who would hear it.
Understand the original words
logos tou Theou · Greek Noun
The Gospel message, the prophetic utterance, or the revelation of God's will and character as revealed in Scripture and ultimately in the person of Jesus Christ.
apotheo · Greek Verb
The quality of being rejected, pushed away, or repudiated; in a biblical context, it signifies the active refusal of God's grace or message by humans.
anaxios · Greek Adjective
The state of being undeserving or unfit; in this context, it refers to the human act of rejecting God's offer of salvation, thereby demonstrating one's own choice to remain separated from God.
aionios zoe · Greek Noun phrase
The unending existence in communion with God, initiated by faith in Jesus Christ, which transcends physical death and is the goal of the Christian hope.
This moment in Antioch marks a significant turning point, as the rejection of the gospel by many Jews officially pivots the mission's emphasis towards the Gentiles, fulfilling a divine plan that had always included all nations.
c. 4 BC - AD 30
Life and Ministry of Jesus
Jesus Christ's earthly ministry, culminating in his crucifixion and resurrection, forms the foundation of the Christian message that Paul and Barnabas are now proclaiming.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Early Church
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles in Jerusalem, marking the birth of the church and the initial spread of the gospel, primarily to Jews.
c. AD 35
Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of Christians, is dramatically converted and transformed into the Apostle Paul, a key missionary to the Gentiles.
c. AD 45-49
First Missionary Journey Begins
Paul and Barnabas embark on their first major missionary journey, commissioned by the church in Antioch, taking the gospel to Cyprus and Asia Minor.
This passage echoes the principle that the message of salvation is to go 'to the Jew first, and also to the Greek,' highlighting the divine order Paul and Barnabas followed.
Matthew 10:5-6Jesus' instructions to His disciples to first go to the 'lost sheep of the house of Israel' underscore the necessity that Paul and Barnabas felt in bringing the Word to the Jews initially.
Matthew 22:8-9The parable of the wedding feast, where those invited were 'not worthy' and others were called, parallels the Jews judging themselves unworthy by rejecting the invitation and the subsequent turning to the Gentiles.
Acts 22:21Paul's later recounting of his vision in Jerusalem reveals Jesus telling him to 'Go, I will send you far off to the Gentiles,' which mirrors the decision made in Acts 13 after the Jews' rejection.
Isaiah 49:6This Old Testament prophecy foretold that the Servant of the Lord would be a 'light to the Gentiles,' anticipating the mission to the Gentiles that Paul and Barnabas now embrace.
ellicottActs 13:46: "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."
(46) It was necessary. —The preachers recognised the necessity of following what they looked on as the divine plan in the education of mankind, and so they preached “to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile” ( Romans 2:9-10 ). The former were offered,…
bensonActs 13:46: "Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."
Acts 13:46-47 . Then Paul and Barnabas — Perceiving that no good impression could be made upon them; waxed bold — Used great freedom of speech; and said, It was necessary — According to the general instructions of our Divine Master; that the word of God…
Paul and Barnabas are not just stating a fact about God's plan; they're highlighting how the Jews' rejection is a radical act of self-condemnation, a choice to deem themselves unworthy of eternal life. The emphatic "lo!" signals this as a pivotal, life-altering moment, a turning point where God's grace now pivots towards those who will receive it.
After preaching the gospel in the synagogue and seeing many Jews and devout Gentiles believe, Paul and Barnabas faced the envy and opposition of some influential Jews. When these leaders stirred up persecution, causing Paul and Barnabas to be expelled from the city, the apostles shook the dust off their feet in a symbolic act of judgment. This marked a turning point, signaling their shift in focus to the Gentiles who were eager to hear God's word.
After preaching the gospel in the synagogue and seeing many Jews and devout Gentiles believe, Paul and Barnabas faced the envy and opposition of some influential Jews. When these leaders stirred up persecution, causing Paul and Barnabas to be expelled from the city, the apostles shook the dust off their feet in a symbolic act of judgment. This marked a turning point, signaling their shift in focus to the Gentiles who were eager to hear God's word.
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ethnos · Greek Noun
All non-Jewish people or nations; those outside the covenant community of Israel who are now brought into the scope of God’s redemptive plan through Christ.
soteria · Greek Noun
The act of divine rescue from sin, judgment, and death through the grace of God, made available exclusively through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
c. AD 47-48— this verse
Preaching in Antioch of Pisidia
Paul and Barnabas preach in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia, initially drawing large crowds. The Jewish leaders become jealous and hostile, leading to their expulsion.
c. AD 48
Turning to the Gentiles
Following the rejection by the Jewish leaders and many Jews in Antioch of Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas declare they will now focus their ministry on the Gentiles.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal council addresses the issue of Gentile inclusion, affirming that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law, solidifying the Gentile mission.
"And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord…" — Paul and Barnabas are not just stating a fact about God's plan; they're highlighting how the Jews' rejection is a radical act of self-condemnation, a choice to deem themselves unworthy of eternal l…
