Acts 13 43

Acts 13:43 kjv

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13:43 nkjv

Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13:43 niv

When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13:43 esv

And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13:43 nlt

Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 43 Meaning

Acts 13:43 describes the immediate aftermath of Paul’s sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. After the worship service concluded, a significant group, composed of both native Jews and Gentiles who had fully converted to Judaism (religious proselytes), responded positively to Paul's message. These individuals sought out Paul and Barnabas, demonstrating an earnest desire for further instruction. Paul and Barnabas then spoke to them, earnestly appealing to them to remain steadfast in their reception and understanding of God's unmerited favor, which they had heard proclaimed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This verse highlights the initial receptive audience to the new covenant message and the apostles' pastoral call to perseverance in faith.

Acts 13 43 Context

Acts 13 initiates Paul's first recorded missionary journey, along with Barnabas, from Antioch in Syria. They arrive in Antioch of Pisidia, a significant city in Galatia. According to their usual custom, they enter the synagogue on the Sabbath. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers invite them to speak. Paul seizes this opportunity to deliver a powerful and comprehensive sermon (Acts 13:16-41). His message traces God's redemptive history from Israel's Exodus to the establishment of King David, then climaxes with the lineage and saving work of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His crucifixion, resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins through Him, offered by grace, not by the works of the law of Moses. Verse 43 immediately follows this pivotal sermon, detailing the diverse immediate responses to the Gospel proclamation, particularly focusing on those who were open to hearing more and the apostles' pastoral encouragement for them to persevere in faith. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic turn in Acts, where Paul increasingly turns his focus to the Gentiles due to Jewish opposition, even though a significant number of Jews initially embrace the message. It highlights the direct contrast between the "grace of God" and reliance on the Law of Moses for righteousness, a theme that would dominate much of Paul's later ministry and epistles.

Acts 13 43 Word analysis

• Now when the congregation was broken up:
  • Congregation (Greek: `synagōgē`, συναγωγή): Refers to the assembly of people, specifically in this context, the Jewish synagogue worship service. This implies the structured religious gathering.
  • Broken up (Greek: `dialuō`, διαλύω): Means to disperse, dissolve, or break apart. It indicates the conclusion of the formal synagogue service. This highlights that people lingered after the service, showing an uncommon interest beyond casual attendance.
• many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas:
  • many (Greek: `polus`, πολύς): Indicates a significant number, not just a few curious individuals. This speaks to the initial impact of Paul's sermon.
  • Jews (Greek: `Ioudaios`, Ἰουδαῖος): Referring to ethnic Israelites. These are the natural recipients of the covenant promises and the first audience of the Gospel message.
  • religious proselytes (Greek: `sebomai`, σεβόμαι - 'to worship', combined with `prosélytos`, προσήλυτος - 'one who has come to' or 'convert'): These were Gentiles who had fully converted to Judaism, including circumcision, observing Jewish law, and adopting Jewish customs. They differed from "God-fearers" (`phoboumenoi ton Theon`) who merely attended synagogues and revered God but had not fully converted. Their inclusion here signifies the Gospel's appeal beyond native Jews to those already seeking God according to the Jewish faith.
  • followed (Greek: `akolouthéō`, ἀκολουθέω): More than just walking behind; it implies adhering to, accompanying, or being disciples of. They sought out Paul and Barnabas with serious intent, desiring more interaction and instruction, signifying their initial belief or strong interest.
• who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
  • speaking to them (Greek: `prosleómenos`, προσλαλέω): To speak to, address. This signifies Paul and Barnabas engaging them directly, taking time for further explanation and encouragement after the formal service.
  • persuaded (Greek: `peithō`, πείθω): To convince, prevail upon, win over. It's not manipulative force but the power of conviction through logical reasoning and spiritual truth. It suggests a process of instruction and argument to bring about understanding and conviction, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than human oratorical skills alone (cf. 1 Cor 2:4).
  • to continue (Greek: `emménō`, ἐμμένω): To remain in, abide in, persist in, adhere to. This is a crucial command, emphasizing perseverance and steadfastness in faith. It implies a conscious, ongoing choice and commitment.
  • in the grace of God (Greek: `charis tou Theou`, χάρις τοῦ Θεοῦ): "Grace" refers to God's unmerited favor, His divine enabling power, and the spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers. Here, it explicitly refers to the Gospel message of salvation through Christ's redemptive work, received by faith, not by works of the Law (as contrasted in Paul's preceding sermon). This phrase defines the substance of what they were to continue in – a relationship with God based on His generous favor, not on human achievement.

Acts 13 43 Bonus section

The immediate and significant positive response from both Jews and proselytes following Paul’s sermon (Acts 13:42-43) sharply contrasts with the hardening and opposition Paul would soon face from some other Jews (Acts 13:45, 50). This dynamic illustrates the diverse reception of the Gospel and foreshadows the shift in Paul's primary mission focus toward the Gentiles (Acts 13:46). The term "religious proselytes" is critical here because it points to individuals who had already made a significant break from their pagan past and embraced monotheism and Jewish ethics, thus making them often more open and spiritually prepared for the next revelation of God in Christ than some of the hardened ethnic Jews. This verse also introduces a recurring pattern in Paul's ministry: preaching in the synagogue first to the Jews and then, upon rejection, turning to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46; Acts 18:6; Acts 19:8-9). The instruction to "continue in the grace of God" served as an early foundational warning against later theological errors that would threaten to pull believers back to a works-based righteousness, anticipating Paul’s arguments in the epistles to the Galatians and Romans.

Acts 13 43 Commentary

Acts 13:43 marks a pivotal moment in Paul's first missionary journey, revealing the initial positive impact of his Gospel proclamation. The composition of the responsive group – Jews and religious proselytes – demonstrates the universal appeal of Christ's message, starting with those within the covenant community. Their act of "following" Paul and Barnabas underscores their sincere receptiveness, moving beyond casual interest to actively seeking deeper understanding. Paul and Barnabas's response was not merely anecdotal encouragement but a direct, persuasive pastoral charge. The imperative to "continue in the grace of God" is central. This command is more than an invitation; it is an exhortation to perseverance in a theological truth – salvation is found in God's unmerited favor through Christ, not in human works or adherence to the Law. This forms the bedrock of Paul's subsequent epistles, emphasizing that initial belief is insufficient without ongoing adherence to the liberating truth of grace. It implies an understanding that growth in faith is sustained by continued reliance on God's provision and commitment to His truth, providing a practical model for evangelism and discipleship: not only proclaiming the Gospel but also urging new believers to steadfastness in the foundational truths received.