Acts 13:50 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.

NIV: But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

NASB: But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region.

CSB: But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district.

NLT: Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town.

KJV: But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

NKJV: But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

Whenever the New Testament speaks of "the Jews," the term typically means Jewish leadership (John 1:19; 5:16; Acts 9:23; 13:45). In Jerusalem, this is the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of Jewish religion, composed of priests, elders, and scribes. In cities outside of Judea, it means the Jewish leaders who had influence over the community, such as synagogue leaders, elders, and scribes. Although they are outside their homeland, surrounded by pagan Gentiles, they still hold some power and are loath to give it up.

It would be understandable if "the Jews" in Pisidian Antioch rejected the gospel; in their thinking it doesn't place sufficient requirements on the Gentiles, like being circumcised. Some Jewish Jesus-followers will believe Gentiles are required to be circumcised (Acts 15:1, 5). They will be wrong, but at least their objection will be consistent with the zeal they feel for the Mosaic law (Acts 15:7–21).

But it is envy, not religious integrity that catches the Jewish leaders here. Just like the Sanhedrin was envious of Jesus' popularity (Matthew 27:18), the synagogue leaders are jealous that Paul and Barnabas have become so popular (Acts 13:45). They convince important women, who may have been fervent in their Judaism, and well-respected men, possibly including magistrates, that Paul and Barnabas are a threat. Not content with driving Paul and Barnabas out of town, they follow the pair to Lystra and convince the crowds there to stone Paul (Acts 14:19).

Still, they cannot stop the spread of Jesus' news. Many disciples remain faithful throughout the region (Acts 13:52). Paul apparently returns to Pisidian Antioch during his second missionary trip to let them know the Jewish church has affirmed that Gentiles do not have to follow the Jewish Law (Acts 16:1–5). Luke doesn't mention details about the second trip, but the Jewish leaders couldn't have been happy about it.

Acts 13:42–52 details the response to Paul's message in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. Many Gentiles and some Jews accept the news about Jesus gladly, but the synagogue leaders don't. Since Jews live in community, and the Jewish community leaders feel threatened by Paul's message and popularity, Paul can say "the Jews" reject Jesus' offer of eternal life. Paul turns his attention to the Gentiles until the Jewish leaders join with city leaders to drive Paul and Barnabas out of town.

Acts 13 transitions Luke's account (Acts 1:1) fully into a record of Paul's ministry to spread the news about Jesus. The Holy Spirit calls Paul and Barnabas for their first missionary journey. They teach about Jesus' offer of forgiveness of sins on the island of Cyprus and in the district of Pisidia in modern-day south-central Asia Minor. Along the way, they face opposition, desertion, and persecution: themes that will follow Paul throughout his life. But they also experience the joy of watching the people they'd least expect come to a saving faith in Jesus.

The first chapters of Acts, save for a quick account of Paul's conversion (Acts 9:1–31), cover the ministry of the apostles, particularly Peter. Those passages also detail the spread of the news about Jesus from His followers. That message goes to the Jews of Jerusalem (Acts 2—7) and Judea (Acts 8:26–40; 9:32–43), the Samaritans (Acts 8:4–25), and God-fearing Gentiles (Acts 10—11). Now, Paul's contribution to the ''end of the earth'' portion of Jesus' commission in Acts 1:8 begins, as he and Barnabas start their first missionary journey. Luke will record two more of Paul's journeys (Acts 15:36—18:22 and 18:23—20:38) before settling in on his return to Jerusalem, arrest, and sea voyage to Rome (Acts 21—28).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.