What does Acts 13:42 mean?

Paul and Barnabas have traveled to Pisidian Antioch, just southwest of the center of modern-day Asia Minor. They entered the local synagogue on the Sabbath and when asked to speak, Paul shared how God had provided different types of salvation throughout Israel's history. He then explained that Jesus of Nazareth is the ultimate Savior God promised would come through David's line (Acts 13:16–41).

Synagogues were established around the time of the Babylonian captivity when the Jews were in exile and the temple destroyed. They provided a place for Levites or scribes to ensure the scattered people knew the requirements of the Mosaic law. The Israelites after Moses had never done well remembering and practicing the Law. When their idolatry and injustice grew too great, God used other nations to discipline them, first by destroying the northern kingdom of Israel and then by exiling the southern kingdom of Judah to Babylon.

After the Jews returned from Babylon, they kept the tradition of the synagogue. In any town where there were twelve or more suitable persons, a synagogue would be established. In larger towns, there would be several synagogues for different groups; in Jerusalem, there were synagogues for different groups of non-Judaeans (Acts 6:9). The synagogue leadership hosted weekly gatherings where someone would read from the Jewish Scriptures and then the leader would ask someone to speak. They often chose a visitor who would have insight, news, or application that would be new to the local group.

While the people in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch might "beg" Paul and Barnabas to return, it was the synagogue leaders who would determine if they would be allowed to speak. Apparently, the leaders did allow Paul to return, but when they saw the large crowd that had come to listen, they grew jealous. First, they tried to contradict Paul's teaching, then they used political contacts to run Paul and Barnabas out of town (Acts 13:44–45, 50).