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

The verse states that after giving them judges for about 450 years, God also gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, as their king. This marks a significant shift in Israel's governance from a period of divinely appointed judges to monarchy.

Acts 13 20 Context

This verse occurs within the extended sermon by the Apostle Paul in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:13-43). Paul is recounting the history of Israel, emphasizing God's faithfulness and their repeated turning away from Him. He traces their history from their deliverance from Egypt, through the period of the Judges, up to the establishment of the monarchy with Saul. The specific mention of "450 years" likely refers to the period from the Exodus or the settlement in the land, through the time of the judges. Paul uses this historical narrative to contrast their past actions with the rejection of Jesus Christ by many among them. This verse serves to illustrate God's providential hand in history, even in granting their request for a king when it wasn't initially God's ideal plan (1 Samuel 8:4-9).

Acts 13 20 Word Analysis

• ἔδωκεν (edōken): Third person singular, aorist indicative active of δίδωμι (didōmi), meaning "to give." It signifies a definitive act of giving.
• αὐτοῖς (autois): Third person plural dative pronoun, meaning "to them." Refers to the Israelites.
• κριτὰς (kritas): Accusative plural of κριτής (kritēs), meaning "judges." These were divinely raised deliverers.
• ἔτη (etē): Accusative plural of ἔτος (etos), meaning "years."
• τετρακόσια (tetrakosia): "Four hundred."
• πεντήκοντα (pentēkonta): "Fifty." Combined, "four hundred and fifty." This figure is approximate and encompasses the period from their entry into the land and the establishment of their governance.
• καὶ (kai): Conjunction, "and."
• μετὰ ταῦτα (meta tauta): "After these things" or "afterwards."
• αἰτήσαντο (aitēsanto): Third person plural, aorist indicative middle of αἰτέω (aitēō), meaning "they asked for" or "they requested."
• βασιλέα (basilea): Accusative singular of βασιλεύς (basileus), meaning "king."
• καὶ (kai): Conjunction, "and."
• ἔδωκεν (edōken): Again, "gave."
• αὐτοῖς (autois): "To them."
• Σαοὺλ (Saoul): Saul, the son of Kish.
• υἱὸν (huion): Accusative singular of υἱός (huios), meaning "son."
• Κις (Kis): Kish.
• τοῦ (tou): Genitive singular masculine definite article, "of."
• Σαμουηλ (Samouēl): Samuel, the prophet and judge. This reading is not in the most ancient manuscripts. The preferred reading based on other ancient texts and the context is "Σαοὺλ υἱὸν Κις, ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς Βενιαμείν," meaning "Saul the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin." (See following point for clarification).
• τοῦ Βενιαμίν (tou Beniamin): "Of Benjamin." Indicating the tribe from which Saul hailed. The Greek text typically reads "Saoul the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin." The "Samuel" in some older texts may have been a scribal addition or misreading.

Word-group Analysis:

• "God gave them judges for about 450 years" (ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς κριτὰς ἔτη τετρακόσια πεντήκοντα) - This summarizes a long period of divine provision through leaders who judged and delivered Israel, emphasizing God's direct involvement. The specific number 450 years is a cumulative figure, sometimes interpreted from Paul's calculation related to events starting from Abraham or the Exodus and entry into Canaan, encompassing periods of oppression and deliverance.
• "after they asked for a king" (μετὰ ταῦτα αἰτήσαντο βασιλέα) - This phrase highlights Israel's initiative and desire, which differed from God's initial plan of theocracy through judges. It points to their desire to be like the surrounding nations.
• "God gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin" (καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς Σαοὺλ υἱὸν Κις, ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς Βενιαμείν) - This shows God's response to their request. While Saul was appointed, it was under the terms of their wanting a king like other nations, leading to consequences later seen in his reign and the transition to David. The inclusion of Benjamin emphasizes God working with even the smallest and weakest tribes.

Acts 13 20 Bonus Section

The 450-year figure is debated among scholars. Some see it as spanning from the Exodus to the dedication of Solomon's Temple (approx. 480 years according to 1 Kings 6:1). Others, like Josephus, and the calculation from Acts 13:20 onwards might suggest a figure from the Exodus up to Saul's reign. Regardless of the exact numerical calculation, the emphasis is on a significant period of divine oversight through the judges, concluding with the transition to the monarchy. This narrative also sets the stage for Paul to argue that the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by many Israelites in his day mirrors Israel's past rebellions and rejections of God's provision, ultimately leading to the gospel being offered to the Gentiles. The mention of Saul from Benjamin is significant; Benjamin was the youngest and smallest tribe, nearly annihilated earlier (Judges 19-21), demonstrating God's power to exalt the humble and achieve His purposes even from seemingly insignificant origins.

Acts 13 20 Commentary

This verse underscores God's grace and His historical faithfulness even when Israel deviated from His ideal plan. The 450 years of judges represent periods of divine rescue in response to sin and oppression. Israel's demand for a king, voiced against God's counsel, demonstrates a rejection of His direct rule through chosen deliverers. God's concession, giving them Saul from Benjamin (a smaller tribe), reveals His patience. Yet, this kingship, initiated by the people's desire for human authority like other nations, foreshadows the mixed reigns that followed, culminating in the eventual need for Davidic kingship. Paul uses this historical account to show the continuity of God's plan through imperfect human leadership, ultimately pointing to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, whom many rejected, just as Saul and later David's line would face rejection.