Acts 13 49

Acts 13:49 kjv

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

Acts 13:49 nkjv

And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

Acts 13:49 niv

The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.

Acts 13:49 esv

And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.

Acts 13:49 nlt

So the Lord's message spread throughout that region.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 49 Meaning

Acts 13:49 declares that the message concerning Jesus Christ, empowered by divine authority, was continually spreading and thoroughly permeating the entire region surrounding Pisidian Antioch. It signifies the rapid and divinely-enabled expansion of the Gospel beyond the synagogue into broader Gentile areas, directly following the apostles' declaration to turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13 49 Context

Acts chapter 13 marks the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey, a pivotal turning point in the book of Acts as the Gospel definitively shifts focus towards the Gentiles. Having been sent out by the Holy Spirit from Syrian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas arrive in Pisidian Antioch. Paul preaches a comprehensive sermon in the synagogue, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. While many Jews and God-fearing proselytes respond positively and ask for more, on the subsequent Sabbath, almost the entire city gathers to hear the "word of the Lord" (v. 44). This success, however, incites the envy and opposition of some Jewish leaders, who contradict and blaspheme. In response, Paul and Barnabas boldly declare that since the Jews have rejected the message, they will now turn to the Gentiles, referencing Isaiah 49:6. This turning to the Gentiles is met with great joy by them, and "as many as were appointed to eternal life believed" (v. 48). Immediately following this decisive moment, verse 49 highlights the broad impact and extensive dissemination of the Gospel throughout the entire surrounding region, a direct consequence of their ministry and God's sovereign plan to reach beyond the confines of Judaism.

Acts 13 49 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai) - "And": This conjunction links the comprehensive spread of the Word directly to the events in verse 48, where many Gentiles believed. It signifies a continuous unfolding of God's redemptive plan, underscoring that the belief of the Gentiles fueled a wider evangelistic movement.
• διεπέρετο (diepereto) - "was being spread throughout":
  • This is the imperfect indicative passive form of the Greek verb διαπεράω (diaperaō), meaning "to carry through," "to spread abroad," or "to pass across."
  • Imperfect Tense: Denotes a continuous, ongoing action in the past. It wasn't a one-time event, but a steady, progressive dissemination. This implies sustained evangelistic effort and impact.
  • Passive Voice: Crucially, the passive voice indicates that "the word" was not merely spreading by human effort but was being spread by an external, divine agent—the Holy Spirit and the Lord Himself. This emphasizes God's active involvement and the irresistible power of His message. It highlights the divine propulsion behind the mission.
• ὁ λόγος (ho logos) - "the word":
  • Refers specifically to the Gospel message, the teaching about Jesus Christ, His life, death, resurrection, and the salvation He offers.
  • In the context of Acts, "the word" is often depicted as a living, active, and powerful entity (e.g., Acts 6:7, 19:20), not merely human utterance but divinely inspired truth that transforms lives.
  • Its frequent mention throughout Acts (often as "the word of God" or "the word of the Lord") signifies its centrality to the early church's mission and the very instrument of salvation.
• τοῦ κυρίου (tou kyriou) - "of the Lord":
  • Clearly identifies the origin and authority of the "word." It is the message from the Lord (Jesus Christ) and about the Lord.
  • This phrase imbues the message with divine authority, distinguishing it from human philosophies or traditions. Its power comes from God Himself.
  • In Acts, "the Lord" almost universally refers to Jesus, especially in post-resurrection contexts.
• δι’ ὅλης (di’ holēs) - "throughout the whole":
  • A prepositional phrase emphasizing comprehensiveness and pervasiveness. It indicates that the spreading was not isolated or limited but extensive and effective across the entire geographic area.
  • This reflects the divine intention for the Gospel to permeate society, not just to reach individuals.
• τῆς χώρας (tēs chōras) - "region":
  • Refers to the surrounding countryside or territory beyond the immediate city limits of Pisidian Antioch.
  • This implies a widespread missionary impact, indicating that the Gospel reached beyond the initial Jewish population within the city and permeated the surrounding rural and Gentile areas, consistent with the command to reach "the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the word of the Lord": This phrase highlights the divine origin and power of the message being proclaimed. It is not just Paul's teaching but God's authoritative message. Its emphasis sets apart the Christian proclamation from mere human rhetoric.
• "was being spread throughout the whole region": This powerfully describes the unstoppable, pervasive, and extensive reach of the Gospel. The imperfect passive underscores that this spread was continuous and divinely enabled, indicating that the power resided not in human effort alone but in the Holy Spirit moving through and with the proclaimed Word, allowing it to penetrate broadly into new territories.

Acts 13 49 Bonus section

The seemingly local outcome described in Acts 13:49 holds significant prophetic and theological weight, mirroring prophecies from Isaiah about the Servant's light extending to the Gentiles (e.g., Isa 42:6; 49:6). It validates Paul and Barnabas's decision to turn to the Gentiles as divinely ordained and effective, not just a human strategic shift. The "word of the Lord" operating effectively throughout a whole region prefigures the worldwide evangelization mission. It also implicitly highlights the dynamic of resistance meeting divine triumph, where the rejection by some Jews ironically catalysed a greater, broader acceptance among Gentiles, a pattern observable throughout Acts and a theological point for Paul (cf. Rom 11:11-15). This verse acts as an important transition point, emphasizing the unhindered progress of the Kingdom of God despite localized human opposition.

Acts 13 49 Commentary

Acts 13:49 marks a powerful conclusion to Paul and Barnabas's initial ministry phase in Pisidian Antioch. Following the significant shift from predominantly Jewish to broad Gentile outreach, the verse highlights the immediate, extensive, and divinely-powered impact of the Gospel. The passive voice of "was being spread" is crucial, underscoring that this proliferation was not merely human activity but the Lord Himself actively propagating His message through His servants. Despite Jewish opposition and rejection, the Word of God found fertile ground among the Gentiles, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to extend salvation universally. This verse exemplifies the core narrative of Acts: the unstoppable advance of the Gospel as the "word of the Lord" grows and multiplies (cf. Acts 6:7, 19:20), defying resistance and expanding geographically, illustrating God's powerful commitment to gathering a people for His name from all nations. For instance, like a rapidly spreading wildfire, the truth permeated the rural communities surrounding Pisidian Antioch, touching lives far beyond the synagogue's walls, confirming that the Good News cannot be contained.