Acts 13:52 kjv
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 13:52 nkjv
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52 niv
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52 esv
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52 nlt
And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13 52 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 5:41 | Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. | Joy in suffering for Christ's name. |
| Acts 11:24 | for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. | Example of being full of Spirit and its impact. |
| Rom 14:17 | For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. | Holy Spirit brings joy in God's kingdom. |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. | Command to maintain joy in Christ. |
| 1 Pet 1:6 | In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. | Joy endures through trials. |
| 1 Pet 4:13 | But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice... when his glory is revealed. | Joy linked to sharing Christ's suffering. |
| 1 Thes 1:6 | And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit. | Believers received the word with joy and the Spirit despite affliction. |
| Gal 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, | Joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. |
| Luke 10:21 | In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father..." | Jesus Himself rejoiced in the Spirit. |
| Eph 5:18 | And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, | Command to be continually filled with the Spirit. |
| Acts 2:4 | And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues... | Initial outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost. |
| Acts 4:8 | Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, | Peter filled for courageous witness. |
| Acts 4:31 | And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit... | Corporate filling of the Spirit for boldness. |
| Acts 6:5 | And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit... | Stephen chosen for being full of Spirit. |
| Acts 7:55 | But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing... | Stephen filled with the Spirit at martyrdom. |
| Matt 5:12 | Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. | Joy and reward in the face of persecution. |
| Jam 1:2 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, | Exhortation to find joy in trials. |
| Rom 5:3 | More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance... | Suffering produces positive spiritual fruit. |
| Col 1:11 | May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. | Joy accompanies strength for endurance. |
| Ps 16:11 | You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy... | God's presence brings fullness of joy. |
| Isa 61:3 | ...to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit... | God provides gladness despite sorrow. |
| 2 Cor 6:10 | as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. | Paradoxical joy in the Christian life. |
Acts 13 verses
Acts 13 52 Meaning
Acts 13:52 describes the state of the disciples, specifically Paul and Barnabas and likely the new believers in Pisidian Antioch, immediately after they faced severe persecution and expulsion from the city. Despite the external rejection and hostility, they were not dismayed or discouraged. Instead, they were continuously filled with profound spiritual joy, empowered and sustained by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This verse powerfully illustrates the paradoxical reality of the Christian life: true spiritual blessing can abound even in the midst of adversity and suffering.
Acts 13 52 Context
Acts 13 chronicles the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, starting from Antioch of Syria. After initial evangelism in Cyprus, they arrived in Pisidian Antioch. Paul delivered a pivotal sermon in the synagogue, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the Savior. This message initially gained a positive response, especially among the Gentiles. However, the success among Gentiles incited envy and opposition from some of the Jews who began to contradict and revile Paul and Barnabas. The apostles boldly declared they were turning to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-48), and indeed, "as many as were appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48). The word of the Lord spread throughout the region. However, the hostile Jewish leaders, instigating prominent women and city officials, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, driving them out of the territory (Acts 13:50). In response, Paul and Barnabas, in symbolic protest and as a fulfillment of Jesus' instruction, "shook off the dust from their feet against them" and proceeded to Iconium (Acts 13:51). Verse 52 immediately follows this act of rejection, showcasing the divine empowerment and inward blessedness of the disciples despite facing external hostility and expulsion. This illustrates the nature of the Kingdom of God progressing not through human approval but by divine power, and how suffering is often accompanied by spiritual fullness.
Acts 13 52 Word analysis
- And (Greek: kai): A simple conjunction linking this verse directly to the preceding events of persecution and the apostles shaking off the dust. It emphasizes the immediate spiritual response despite the physical adversity.
- the disciples (Greek: hoi mathētai): This refers primarily to Paul and Barnabas who were explicitly expelled. However, given the context of "as many as were appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48), and the "word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region" (Acts 13:49), it strongly implies the newly converted believers in Pisidian Antioch were also part of this group, experiencing this inner state. A disciple is a learner, a follower, one committed to the teaching of Christ.
- were filled (Greek: eplerounto): This verb is in the imperfect passive tense. "Imperfect" denotes a continuous, repeated, or ongoing action in the past—they were continually being filled or continued to be filled. "Passive" signifies that the filling was something done to them, originating from an external divine source, i.e., God. It suggests a constant, refreshing, and strengthening impartation, not a single event, reinforcing their spiritual state even as they faced ongoing trials. This filling is not just a psychological uplift but a supernatural empowerment.
- with joy (Greek: charas): This is not a worldly, fleeting happiness, but a deep, abiding spiritual gladness (Gk. chara) that transcends circumstances. It is a divine endowment, often associated with the presence of God or the work of the Holy Spirit. This joy is paradoxical in the face of suffering and external rejection; it points to a divine reality distinct from human experience of success or failure. It serves as an internal strength and a testimony.
- and with the Holy Spirit (Greek: kai pneumatos hagiou): This specifies the divine source and active agent of the "filling" and the "joy." The Holy Spirit is the Giver of this profound joy and is the ultimate empowerer of the disciples. His presence assures them of God's approval and companionship despite human disapproval. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, providing comfort, strength, guidance, and producing spiritual fruit, including joy (Gal 5:22). This implies a conscious experience of the Spirit's presence and power.
Words-group analysis
- And the disciples were filled: This phrase sets up the miraculous nature of the event. Despite expulsion and persecution, the followers of Christ experienced internal plenitude, highlighting God's immediate care and empowerment for His own, reversing the expected human response of despair.
- filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit: This grouping reveals a profound theological truth. The joy the disciples experienced was directly sourced from and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The two elements are inseparable; the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is the fount of true, enduring, supernatural joy, especially evident during adversity. This "filling" is spiritual, providing inner strength and resilience far beyond natural human capacity.
Acts 13 52 Bonus section
The immediate sequence of shaking off the dust (a specific command from Jesus in Lk 9:5, 10:11) and being filled with joy and the Spirit demonstrates the divine sanction of their actions and the authentic presence of Christ's kingdom, regardless of human resistance. The believers' inner state stands in stark contrast to the angry, unbelieving Jewish opponents. This internal spiritual reality served as both comfort and enablement for future ministry, providing them strength to continue their mission to Iconium (Acts 14:1) without a lapse in faith or zeal. The phrase "were filled" suggests that this was perhaps an immediate, profound spiritual boost in response to the specific trial, ensuring they were sufficiently resourced for the next stage of their demanding mission.
Acts 13 52 Commentary
Acts 13:52 is a striking illustration of the resilience and paradoxical blessedness inherent in Christian discipleship, particularly during missionary endeavors. Immediately following intense persecution and the ceremonial shaking off of dust, symbolizing judgment against their rejectors, Paul, Barnabas, and likely the new converts, were not deflated or resentful. Instead, they experienced a supernatural replenishment. The passive voice of "were filled" emphasizes divine action, meaning God continually supplied them. This was not a forced optimism but a genuine, Spirit-imparted joy that ran deeper than their outward circumstances. The direct link between "joy" and "the Holy Spirit" underscores that true spiritual gladness is a fruit and sign of the Spirit's presence and power, providing inner fortitude amidst external hostility. This verse teaches that faithfulness in ministry, even when met with rejection and suffering, leads not to desolation but to an amplified experience of God's presence and the deep joy that only He can give. It is a powerful witness to the enduring nature of the Gospel, which thrives even in the face of opposition.