Acts 13 44

Acts 13:44 kjv

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:44 nkjv

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:44 niv

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

Acts 13:44 esv

The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

Acts 13:44 nlt

The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 44 Meaning

Acts 13:44 describes the overwhelming response to the gospel message delivered by Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia. On the next Sabbath, nearly the entire population of the city, both Jews and Gentiles, gathered with immense anticipation and eagerness to hear the proclamation of God's Word. This verse highlights the profound curiosity and openness to the message of salvation that resonated among the diverse inhabitants of Antioch.

Acts 13 44 Context

Acts chapter 13 marks the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey, accompanied by Barnabas and John Mark. After arriving in Antioch of Pisidia, Paul preaches a powerful sermon in the synagogue, tracing salvation history from Abraham to Jesus, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah, and emphasizing salvation through faith in Him, extending forgiveness of sins to all who believe. His message resonated particularly with the "God-fearing Gentiles" and some Jews (Acts 13:42-43) who responded positively and requested more. The immediate context for verse 44 is the enthusiastic and broad appeal the message had beyond the synagogue's typical Jewish audience. This response set the stage for the dramatic conflict that would unfold with the Jewish leaders, marking a pivotal moment in the early church's shift towards Gentile outreach.

Acts 13 44 Word analysis

• The next Sabbath: (Τῷ δὲ ἐρχομένῳ σαββάτῳ - To de erchomenō sabbatō)
  • "Sabbath" (σαββάτῳ - sabbatō): The Jewish day of rest and assembly. This emphasizes adherence to the weekly cycle and the opportunity for regular public gathering. It also sets the time frame exactly one week after Paul's initial sermon.
  • "Next": Indicates immediate and continued interest after the first encounter.
• almost the whole city: (σχεδὸν πᾶσα ἡ πόλις - schedon pasa hē polis)
  • "Almost" (σχεδὸν - schedon): Denotes a near-total attendance, emphasizing the unprecedented magnitude of the crowd without claiming absolute perfection.
  • "Whole" (πᾶσα - pasa): Highlights the vastness and inclusivity of the gathering. It suggests a representative cross-section of society.
  • "City" (ἡ πόλις - hē polis): Refers to Antioch of Pisidia, an important Roman colony with a diverse population of Jews, Greeks, and Romans. This signifies the gospel's universal appeal, cutting across ethnic and social lines.
• gathered together: (συνήχθη - synēchthē)
  • "Gathered together": (from συνάγω - synagō). Implies a purposeful assembly, not accidental. It speaks to the active decision of the inhabitants to convene. It signifies unity of purpose and shared interest in the message.
  • This verb is often used for religious or community assemblies, underscoring the spiritual nature of this unprecedented public event.
• to hear the word of God: (ἀκοῦσαι τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ - akousai ton logon tou Theou)
  • "To hear" (ἀκοῦσαι - akousai): Points to the primary purpose of their gathering – to listen and absorb the message. This reflects an eager and open disposition.
  • "The word" (τὸν λόγον - ton logon): Specifically refers to the gospel message concerning Jesus Christ, salvation, and forgiveness proclaimed by Paul and Barnabas. In New Testament usage, logos often encapsulates the full revelation of God's saving truth.
  • "Of God" (τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou): Attributes divine authority and origin to the message being preached. It is not merely human opinion but revelation from the Creator.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "The next Sabbath, almost the whole city": This phrase dramatically sets the scene, indicating an astonishing level of public interest in contrast to the usual synagogue attendance. It signals a shift from confined Jewish evangelism to widespread public ministry.
  • "gathered together to hear the word of God": This emphasizes the core motivation behind the massive turnout: a genuine hunger for spiritual truth and divine revelation, rather than curiosity for entertainment. It showcases the drawing power of the gospel itself.

Acts 13 44 Bonus section

This verse serves as a fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Gentiles coming to light and salvation (e.g., Isa 49:6). The unexpected magnitude of the gathering signifies that the spiritual harvest was ripe, not only among those traditionally considered "God-fearers" but also among the broader Gentile population. The event, driven by collective anticipation, underscores the inherent spiritual vacuum that existed in Roman society, which the early Christian message uniquely filled. This overwhelming response in Antioch of Pisidia paved the way for future Gentile-focused missions and would set a precedent for the opposition Paul and Barnabas would face from envious Jewish leaders who could not fathom such universal inclusion.

Acts 13 44 Commentary

Acts 13:44 encapsulates a pivotal moment in the early spread of the gospel, marking a dramatic and widespread acceptance of Christianity, especially among Gentiles, in Antioch of Pisidia. The extraordinary turnout of "almost the whole city" indicates an unprecedented hunger for spiritual truth, surpassing the normal confines of the Jewish synagogue and drawing a truly diverse crowd. This demonstrates the powerful attraction of "the word of God," which resonated deeply with individuals seeking meaning and salvation. This widespread interest immediately preceding the strong Jewish opposition (Acts 13:45) sets the stage for the definitive turning point in Acts towards Gentile mission. It highlights that the gospel is not meant for a select few but for all nations, echoing prophetic promises. The gathering was not accidental; it was a deliberate assembly born from intense desire, confirming the power of God's message to captivate hearts.