Acts 13 42

Acts 13:42 kjv

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Acts 13:42 nkjv

So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:42 niv

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:42 esv

As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:42 nlt

As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people begged them to speak about these things again the next week.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 42 Meaning

Acts 13:42 describes the immediate positive reaction of the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch to Paul and Barnabas's preaching. After the sermon concluded and some people had begun to leave the synagogue, the non-Jewish attendees, often referred to as "God-fearers," earnestly requested that the same message concerning Jesus and salvation be proclaimed to them again on the following Sabbath. This highlights their spiritual hunger and receptive hearts towards the Gospel.

Acts 13 42 Context

Acts chapter 13 marks the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey, where he and Barnabas, sent by the Holy Spirit and the church in Antioch, travel to Cyprus and then to Pamphylia and Pisidian Antioch. Upon arriving in Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas attend the synagogue on the Sabbath. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, they are invited to speak. Paul delivers a comprehensive sermon (Acts 13:16-41) that outlines God's redemptive plan through Israel's history, the coming of Jesus as the promised Messiah, His death and resurrection, and culminates with a clear declaration of justification by faith in Jesus, contrasting it with the inability of the Law of Moses to justify. The verse immediately follows this powerful proclamation, setting the stage for the Gospel's wider reception among the Gentiles.

Acts 13 42 Word analysis

• And when the Jews were gone out:

  • Greek: Ἀπελθόντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἔξω τῆς συναγωγῆς (Apelthontōn de autōn exō tēs synagōgēs).
  • The initial Greek manuscripts primarily read "And when they were going out," referring to Paul and Barnabas (who would normally leave after speaking or as the service concluded). The addition "the Jews" (οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, hoi Ioudaioi) is a textual variant found in later manuscripts (like the Textus Receptus, used by KJV), possibly added to clarify or to highlight the Jews' (literal or metaphorical) departure from the message. The more widely accepted reading implies that as Paul and Barnabas exited, they were intercepted.
  • Ἀπελθόντων (Apelthontōn - participle from ἀπέρχομαι, aperchomai): "having gone out," indicating a completed action or departure.
  • συναγωγῆς (synagōgēs): "synagogue," the established Jewish place of assembly, worship, and instruction, highlighting the customary setting for Paul's initial evangelism.

• the Gentiles:

  • Greek: τὰ ἔθνη (ta ethnē).
  • Refers to non-Jewish people. In this synagogue context, they would have been "God-fearers"—Gentiles who had embraced monotheism, respected Jewish law and customs, and attended synagogue services but had not fully converted to Judaism through circumcision and full adherence to all Jewish laws. They were spiritually seeking.

• besought:

  • Greek: παρεκάλουν (parekaloun - imperfect indicative of παρακαλέω, parakaleō).
  • Παρακαλέω means "to call alongside," "to entreat," "to exhort," or "to comfort." The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or repeated action, emphasizing their earnest and persistent pleading. It reflects a profound desire, not a casual request.

• that these words:

  • Greek: τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα (ta rhēmata tauta).
  • Ῥήματα (rhēmata): "words," but implying a message or utterance, specifically a significant or divine one.
  • "These words" specifically refer to Paul's recently preached Gospel message concerning Jesus as the Messiah, His resurrection, and especially the concept of justification through faith in Him, not by the Law (Acts 13:38-39). This highlights the transformative power and profound impact of Paul’s sermon.

• might be preached to them:

  • Greek: λαληθῆναι αὐτοῖς (lalēthēnai autois).
  • Λαληθῆναι (lalēthēnai - aorist passive infinitive of λαλέω, laleō): "to be spoken," "to be preached." It denotes public and formal proclamation, reflecting their desire for a structured presentation of the message. The passive voice implies that the word would be delivered by the speakers (Paul and Barnabas).

• the next sabbath:

  • Greek: εἰς τὸ μεταξὺ σάββατον (eis to metaxy sabbaton).
  • Μεταξὺ (metaxy): "between," here meaning "intervening," thus referring to "the next" or "the coming" Sabbath. This is not a request for an immediate, impromptu meeting but for a scheduled, public, and repeated sermon at the customary time of assembly. It shows serious interest and commitment rather than fleeting curiosity.
  • Σάββατον (sabbaton): "Sabbath," the seventh day, indicating the structured worship day of the week for the Jews, showing their intent to receive instruction in an organized, religious setting.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "When Paul/the Jews were gone out... the Gentiles besought": This contrast in actions emphasizes the varied responses to the Gospel. While some Jews might have departed without full embrace (foreshadowing rejection in v. 45), the Gentiles actively sought more, showcasing their spiritual receptivity and readiness for the Gospel.
  • "These words might be preached to them the next Sabbath": This phrase encapsulates the Gentiles' eager desire for continued teaching of the specific message Paul had delivered. Their request for a formal, future delivery on the holy day demonstrates profound spiritual hunger, underscoring the Word's impact and the perceived need for deeper understanding and consistent instruction. It signifies their recognition of the words' significance and divine origin.

Acts 13 42 Bonus section

The request from the Gentiles in Acts 13:42 not only demonstrates their immediate receptivity but also inadvertently guided Paul and Barnabas's future ministry focus. While they started by offering the Gospel to the Jews first, as was customary and scripturally enjoined (Rom 1:16), the intense spiritual seeking displayed by the Gentiles here foreshadows the broader evangelistic trajectory of the Apostolic Age. This specific event directly precedes Paul and Barnabas declaring their turning to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-47), making this humble plea from the God-fearers a significant catalyst for the wider spread of Christianity among non-Jews.

Acts 13 42 Commentary

Acts 13:42 reveals the profound impact of Paul's inaugural sermon in Pisidian Antioch. While the primary Greek text suggests Paul and Barnabas were departing, a common textual variant mentions "the Jews" leaving, emphasizing a crucial distinction in responsiveness. Regardless of who was leaving, the verse highlights the immediate and fervent enthusiasm of the Gentiles, specifically the "God-fearers" who attended the synagogue. Their urgent plea to have "these words"—the powerful message of Jesus as Messiah and justification by faith—preached again on the following Sabbath signifies a deep spiritual hunger and an open heart. This genuine yearning stands in contrast to the later Jewish opposition recorded in the same chapter (Acts 13:45). This verse acts as a pivotal moment, subtly indicating the growing Gentile receptivity that would lead to the Gospel's decisive turn toward the nations.