Acts 13 20

Acts 13:20 kjv

And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

Acts 13:20 nkjv

"After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

Acts 13:20 niv

All this took about 450 years. "After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.

Acts 13:20 esv

All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.

Acts 13:20 nlt

All this took about 450 years. "After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 20 Meaning

Acts 13:20 recounts a specific phase in Israel's history, as summarized by the Apostle Paul in his sermon. Following God's giving of the land of Canaan, He provided a series of leaders called "judges" to govern and deliver His people. This period spanned approximately four hundred and fifty years, culminating with the advent of Samuel, who marked the transition from this era to the establishment of the monarchy. The verse highlights God's continuous sovereign oversight and provision for Israel through appointed leaders, even in times of national sin and turmoil.

Acts 13 20 Context

Acts 13:20 is embedded within Paul's inaugural recorded sermon at the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. He is addressing both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, aiming to present Jesus as the promised Messiah. Paul begins his historical survey in verse 17, tracing God's redemptive work from the selection of Israel in Egypt, through their exodus, the wilderness wandering, the conquest of Canaan, and the distribution of the land (vv. 17-19). This historical panorama is designed to establish God's consistent faithfulness to His covenant people and His overarching plan, leading inevitably to the introduction of a Savior from David's line (vv. 22-23), ultimately Jesus Christ. Verse 20 specifically transitions the narrative from the conquest and land distribution to the tumultuous period governed by the "judges," highlighting God's continuous, active leadership through divinely appointed individuals despite Israel's frequent apostasy, and setting the stage for the demand for a king.

Acts 13 20 Word analysis

• And after that (Kai meta tauta):
  • Significance: This conjunction smoothly connects the events of God giving the Israelites the land (v. 19) with the subsequent era of the judges. It indicates a temporal sequence within God's ongoing historical work with His people.
• he gave (edōken):
  • Significance: This is the aorist active indicative of didōmi, meaning "to give." The subject is implicitly God (referring back to "God" in v. 17), emphasizing His sovereign initiative and divine appointment. God is the active provider and orchestrator of Israel's leadership throughout their history. This highlights God's persistent care for His people despite their failures.
• unto them (autois):
  • Significance: Refers to "the fathers" or "the people of Israel" previously mentioned in the sermon. God's provision was specifically for His chosen nation.
• judges (kritas):
  • Meaning: From krites, meaning "one who makes judicial decisions, a judge."
  • Significance: These were not just legal arbiters but primarily military deliverers and leaders whom God "raised up" (Judg 2:16) to save Israel from oppression, rule, and guide the people (Judg 2:18). They served as God's representatives, embodying divine authority in a decentralized system of governance before the monarchy.
• about the space of four hundred and fifty years (hōs etē tessarēkonta kai pentakōsia):
  • Meaning: Hōs means "about" or "approximately." Etē is "years." Tessarēkonta kai pentakōsia means "forty and five hundred," i.e., "four hundred and fifty."
  • Significance: This chronological statement has been a subject of significant scholarly debate, as it differs from the 480 years mentioned in 1 Ki 6:1 (from Exodus to the 4th year of Solomon's reign).
    • Interpretation 1 (Cumulative Total): Many scholars understand the 450 years as a comprehensive period from the Exodus (or the start of the conquest) up to the beginning of the kingdom under Saul, thus encompassing the wilderness wandering, conquest, and the era of the judges. If counting from the Exodus, it suggests a compressed chronology or Paul utilizing a particular historical tradition (possibly a Septuagintal calculation or Jewish historiographical summary prevalent in his day) that differed from the Masoretic Text's basis for 1 Ki 6:1. For example, some calculate 40 years wilderness, + ~7 years conquest, + ~400 years Judges era = ~447 years. Paul uses "about" (hōs), indicating it's an approximation.
    • Interpretation 2 (Focus on Judges duration): Other readings suggest it strictly refers to the duration of the judges' period itself. This faces more challenges in harmonizing with other Biblical chronologies unless one adds the oppressive periods to the judgeships and starts the count from a different point.
  • Ultimately, Paul's focus is on the flow of history and God's active involvement, rather than precise, absolute chronometric detail. The "about" softens any exact numerical claim.

Acts 13 20 Bonus section

• The Nature of Israelite Chronology: Paul's use of "about 450 years" for the period leading up to Samuel is not intended as an exact, mathematically precise number but rather an accepted chronological summary familiar to his Jewish audience, likely stemming from particular Septuagintal traditions or Rabbinic interpretations. Ancient chronologies often differed and had specific purposes, sometimes combining periods or giving round numbers, rather than modern scientific exactitude. Paul's authority comes from the Holy Spirit inspiring his theological message, not from proving historical timelines down to the year.
• The "Judge" Role Expansion: While kritas literally means "judges," the individuals described in the book of Judges held roles far broader than modern judges. They were charismatic leaders, military commanders, and sometimes civil administrators, empowered by the Spirit of God for specific acts of deliverance (e.g., Gideon, Samson, Deborah). They embodied a dynamic, localized leadership model, directly raised by God in response to Israel's cry.
• Samuel's Triple Role: Samuel is unique as the last of the Judges, the first major prophet after Moses in a new prophetic movement, and the anointer of the first two kings. His career profoundly shapes the transition from a tribal confederacy to a centralized monarchy under God's chosen king. Paul's designation of him simply as "Samuel the prophet" underscores his critical role as God's mouthpiece in this historical shift, which sets up the prophetic thread leading to Christ.

Acts 13 20 Commentary

Acts 13:20 encapsulates God's enduring provision of leadership for Israel through a turbulent era. Paul’s concise summary highlights divine initiative ("He gave") and direction, emphasizing that even after giving the promised land, God continued to guide His people by raising up judges to deliver and rule them. This period, characterized by cyclical sin, foreign oppression, and divine intervention, demonstrated God’s unwavering faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness. The approximation of "about 450 years" reflects ancient methods of summarizing long historical periods, with the exact chronological starting and ending points sometimes debated among scholars. However, Paul's essential message remains: God was continually at work in history, steering Israel towards His ultimate redemptive purpose. The era ends with Samuel, a pivotal figure who embodies both judge and prophet, serving as the bridge to the next major phase of God's plan: the establishment of the monarchy, through which the Davidic covenant and the ultimate Messiah would arise. This historical backdrop ultimately points to Jesus as the divinely appointed, perfect leader and savior of God's people.