Galatians 2:13
And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights how even Barnabas, a man known for his faith and association with Paul, was "carried away" by the hypocrisy. This shows the powerful, almost overwhelming, influence of peer pressure and the behavior of respected leaders, even on those who seemingly should know better. It's not just about Peter's hypocrisy, but how it created a wave that swept others along, demonstrating how quickly error can spread through imitation.
The situation in Antioch has turned tense: Peter, a respected Jewish believer, has stopped eating with Gentile believers because some Jewish followers of Jesus have arrived. This creates a divide, and the other Jewish believers follow Peter's lead, acting hypocritically by hiding their previous openness and now conforming to stricter Jewish customs to avoid offending the newcomers. Even Barnabas, Paul's close companion and fellow missionary, gets caught up in this wave of hypocrisy.
Ever felt pressured to act a certain way, even if it goes against what you truly believe? That's exactly what happened in Antioch.
What is Dissimulation?
This verse describes the other Jewish Christians in Antioch who 'dissembled' or 'practiced like hypocrisy'. They previously ate freely with Gentile believers, fully embracing the truth that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not by following Jewish laws. However, when certain individuals arrived from James, these Jewish believers changed their public behavior. They concealed their true convictions and acted as if it was wrong to associate with Gentiles.
This wasn't just a minor slip-up; it was a deliberate concealment of their belief. They were outwardly conforming to a stricter, narrower view of the faith to appease a certain group, while inwardly holding a more liberated understanding based on the gospel.
Why It's Dangerous
This hypocrisy had a ripple effect. It created a false impression about the gospel's requirements and threatened the unity of the church. Their hidden beliefs led to outward actions that contradicted the truth they claimed to hold.
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Great leaders inspire us. But what happens when their example leads us astray?
The Power of Influence
The verse highlights a powerful truth: the influence of respected leaders. Peter, an apostle, acted hypocritically, and his actions significantly impacted those around him. The 'other Jews' followed his lead, and shockingly, even Barnabas, Paul's trusted companion and fellow laborer, was 'carried away with their dissimulation.'
This wasn't a small matter. Barnabas was a man known for his faith and filled with the Holy Spirit, someone who had worked closely with Paul. Yet, the force of example, especially from respected figures, was so strong that it swayed even him. The commentary notes suggest that this was due to the 'power of frequent example' and the influence of men 'had in great veneration and esteem.'
A Warning for All
This serves as a stark reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with leadership, whether in the church, family, or workplace. Our actions, especially when we are in positions of influence, carry weight and can lead others toward truth or toward error. Paul's public confrontation of Peter, though difficult, was necessary to counter this dangerous drift.
Understand the original words
hypokrisis · Greek Noun
Acting in a way that is inconsistent with one's stated beliefs; literally an actor wearing a mask, denoting duplicity or pretense in moral conduct.
This incident in Antioch highlights the intense pressure to conform to traditional Jewish practices, even among those who had received the Spirit and understood the gospel. It reveals how influential figures like Peter, when swayed by fear or social pressure, could inadvertently undermine the very freedom found in Christ, impacting even trusted leaders like Barnabas.
c. AD 30-33
Pentecost and the Early Church
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to the dramatic conversion of thousands, including many Jews, who begin to form a united community in Jerusalem.
c. AD 33-40
Gentile Inclusion Begins
The Gospel begins to spread to Gentiles, with significant moments like the conversion of Cornelius the centurion (Acts 10), marking a pivotal shift in God's plan.
c. AD 48-49
Council of Jerusalem
A crucial council is held in Jerusalem to address the issue of Gentile believers needing to follow Jewish law. The apostles and elders decide that Gentiles are not required to be circumcised or follow Mosaic law, a decision recorded in Acts 15.
c. AD 49— this verse
Peter's Visit to Antioch
Following the Council of Jerusalem, Peter visits the church in Antioch, a diverse community with both Jewish and Gentile believers. Initially, he eats freely with the Gentiles, embracing the spirit of the council's decision.
c. AD 49
Peter Withdraws from Gentiles
When a delegation of Jewish believers from James arrives in Antioch, Peter, fearing their disapproval, withdraws from eating with the Gentiles. This action directly contradicts the spirit and letter of the Jerusalem Council's decision.
c. AD 49
Paul Confronts Peter
The Apostle Paul publicly confronts Peter in Antioch for his hypocrisy. Paul argues that Peter's actions undermine the gospel's truth that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to the Law, and that it pressures Gentile believers to Judaize.
c. AD 49
Barnabas Led Astray
Influenced by Peter's example and the pressure from the other Jewish believers, Barnabas, Paul's close companion, also begins to act hypocritically, separating from the Gentiles.
Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, comparing them to whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but are full of dead men's bones within. This highlights the core issue in Galatians 2:13: a false outward appearance that hides an inner spiritual decay.
Luke 12:1Jesus warns his disciples about the 'hypocrisy of the Pharisees,' emphasizing that nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. This directly speaks to the concealed sentiments and outward pretense seen in the actions of Peter and the other Jews in Antioch.
This passage describes a later disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, which arose after the events in Antioch. It shows how even close companions can have sharp disputes, sometimes stemming from differences in approach or conviction, mirroring the strain caused by Barnabas’s hypocrisy.
Paul quotes from the Old Testament, saying, 'The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.' This directly connects to the broader consequence of Jewish believers acting hypocritically, causing the Gentile believers to stumble and God's name to be dishonored.
1 Samuel 16:7God tells Samuel, 'Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.' This verse provides a crucial contrast to the hypocrisy in Galatians 2:13, reminding us that true spiritual integrity is about inward reality, not outward conformity.
vincentGalatians 2:13: "And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation."
Dissembled with him (συνυπεκρίθησαν)N.T.o. Peter's course influenced the other Jewish Christians as Antioch, who had previously followed his example in eating with Gentiles.Was carried away (συναπήχθη)Lit. was carried away with them (συν). In Paul only here and Romans 12:16, on which see note. In lxx once, Exodus 14:6.With their dissimulation (αὐτῶν τῇ…
bengelGalatians 2:13: "And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation."
Galatians 2:13 . Ὁι λοιποὶ ) The others , believers.— καὶ ) even Barnabas, whom you would by no means think likely to do such a thing.— συναπήχθη , was led away ) The power of frequent example.
The verse highlights how even Barnabas, a man known for his faith and association with Paul, was "carried away" by the hypocrisy. This shows the powerful, almost overwhelming, influence of peer pressure and the behavior of respected leaders, even on those who seemingly should know better. It's not just about Peter's hypocrisy, but how it created a wave that swept others along, demonstrating how quickly error can spread through imitation.
The situation in Antioch has turned tense: Peter, a respected Jewish believer, has stopped eating with Gentile believers because some Jewish followers of Jesus have arrived. This creates a divide, and the other Jewish believers follow Peter's lead, acting hypocritically by hiding their previous openness and now conforming to stricter Jewish customs to avoid offending the newcomers. Even Barnabas, Paul's close companion and fellow missionary, gets caught up in this wave of hypocrisy.
The situation in Antioch has turned tense: Peter, a respected Jewish believer, has stopped eating with Gentile believers because some Jewish followers of Jesus have arrived. This creates a divide, and the other Jewish believers follow Peter's lead, acting hypocritically by hiding their previous openness and now conforming to stricter Jewish customs to avoid offending the newcomers. Even Barnabas, Paul's close companion and fellow missionary, gets caught up in this wave of hypocrisy.
"And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy." — The verse highlights how even Barnabas, a man known for his faith and association with Paul, was "carried away" by the hypocrisy. This shows the powerful, almost overwhelming, influence of peer press…
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