Acts 13

— every sabbath day.] See note on ver. 15.

Acts 13:2

2.—the Gentiles.] The heathens—“against the brethren,” the Christians.

Acts 13:3

3. Long time therefore] “Therefore,” that is, for the purpose of confirming the great number of believers, and of overcoming this opposition. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 13:4

4.—unto Seleucia.] This city, built by Seleucus, lay north west of Antioch, on the Mediterranean sea. Dr. Wells.

Acts 13:5

5.—when they were at Salamis,] Salamis was one of the most considerable cities in Cyprus, lying in the eastern part of it, to which it gave name, and thus being opposite to the coast of Syria, from which the Apostles set sail. Cyprus is reputed to be distant about one hundred miles from the coast of Syria. Dr. Wells.

—in the synagogues of the Jews:] Of whom there were great numbers in this island. It was probably for this reason, rather than because it was the native country of Barnabas, that they went thither; their Divine Master having enjoined His Apostles to go “first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Dr. Stack.

—had also John to their minister.] Had John (chap. xii. 12.) to assist them in their ministry. Bp. Mann.

Acts 13:6

6.—unto Paphos,] The chief city on the western side of Cyprus, and giving name to that tract of the island. Dr. Wells.

—a certain sorcerer,] God having raised Prophets in the Christian Church, and giving His Apostles and

Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

Acts 13:7

7.—the deputy of the country,] The word, here translated deputy, signifies proconsul. The provinces of the Roman empire were of two kinds; those belonging to the emperor, in which the governour was called Proprætor, and those belonging to the senate, in which the governour was called Proconsul. Now it appears from Dio Cassius that the province of Cyprus, which in the original distribution was assigned to the emperor, had been transferred to the senate, in exchange for some others, so that at this time the title of proconsul was appropriate. Archdeacon Paley.

—a prudent man:] A man of good sense and understanding. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 13:8

8.—Elymas] Derived from an Arabian word, which signifies a magician. Dr. Hammond.

Acts 13:9

9.—Saul, (who also is called Paul,] His Jewish name was Saul; but, being also a citizen of Rome, he had the Roman name of Paul. In the same manner, Silas is called Silvanus, for he also was a Roman citizen, as may be collected from chap. xvi. 37. St. Luke has hitherto called him by his Jewish name, as he has conversed chiefly among Jews; but, as he is now to act in the character of the declared Apostle of the Gentiles, he calls him by his Gentile name. Dr. Lightfoot.

Acts 13:10

10.—and all mischief,] The Greek word implies cunning and falsehood, as well as wickedness and audacity. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 13:11

11.—a mist and a darkness:] A mist or dimness first, and then a total loss of sight following it. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 13:12

12.—astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.] The doctrine confirmed by such Divine power. Pyle.

Acts 13:13

13.—to Perga in Pamphylia:] Pamphylia was a province of Asia Minor, on the Mediterranean sea, adjoining Cilicia on the east. Perga, a city in it, was famous among the heathens for a temple of Diana, and for yearly festivals held in honour of that goddess. Dr. Wells.

Anno DOMINI 45. Paul preacheth at Antioch, that Jesus is Christ.

Anno DOMINI 45. Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

Acts 13:14

14. — Antioch in Pisidia.] Pisidia was another province, situated north of Pamphylia. The Antioch in this province was one of the cities built by Seleucus in honour of his father Antiochus. Dr. Wells.

— and sat down] Probably in the seat of the doctors. D. Hales.

If the rulers of the synagogue had no other knowledge of Barnabas and Saul, they might gather they were preachers from this, that, when they entered the synagogue, they sat down, which was customary with those who taught or preached. Dr. Lightfoot.

Acts 13:15

15. — after the reading of the law and the prophets] Lessons out of both were read in the morning service of the synagogues on the sabbath day; but, on the other days of the week, only out of the law in the morning. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 13:16

16. — ye that fear God.] He thus addresses, here and at ver. 26, the proselytes, those who embraced Judaism, but were not Jews by descent. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 13:17

17. — exalted the people] Raised them from slavery to the high rank of being His chosen people. Abp. Newcome.

Acts 13:18

18. — suffered he their manners] Patiently bore with them. Or, according to another reading of the original, the sense is, bore, or fed them, as a nurse bears or feeds her child. See the margin.

Acts 13:20

20. — four hundred and fifty years.] A chronological difficulty here arises, from the circumstance of this period of the Judges in Israel being usually computed considerably less than is here stated. See the dates given in the margin in the books of Judges and Samuel. However, the Jewish historian Josephus agrees with the statement here given. We may naturally, therefore, conclude, that the Apostle adopts the computation which was approved by his nation at the time when he spoke;

Acts 13:22

22. — a man after mine own heart.] David is here called “a man after God’s own heart” because he acted in conformity with the main purpose of God’s will. He is so called, not on account of his private virtues, but of his publick conduct; not for a spotless purity of manners, but for his abhorrence of idolatry, and his strict adherence to the civil and religious laws of his country. Whoever exerted himself vigorously and effectually in upholding true religion, which was the great end and main design of the Divine government established over the Jews, might, with the strictest propriety, be called a man after God’s own heart. Now this was the distinguished excellence of David’s life. He was a sincere and hearty lover of his country, a zealous observer of its laws, in opposition to all idolatry, from which he kept himself and his people at the utmost distance. Bp. Porteus. The man after God’s own heart stands in opposition to the character of Saul, who is described as acting foolishly by breaking the commandments of God, and rejected by Him; that is, deprived of the succession to the crown for his family, on account of his folly, presumption, and disobedience. The expression therefore means, one who would act prudently and obey the commandments of God delivered to him by His Prophets; and who therefore God would thus far approve and continue to favour. Dr. Chandler.

Acts 13:23

23. — according to his promise] See the marginal reference.

Acts 13:27

27. — nor yet the voices] The words or prophecies. Pyle. Paul preacheth at Antioch, that Jesus is Christ. Anno DOMINI 45.

Acts 13:31

31. — by the space of forty years.] This space includes the time of Samuel as well as that of Saul.

Acts 13:34

34, 35. And as concerning &c.] Thus, also, he proceeds, that promise of God to the Jewish nation, of the “sure mercies of David,” Isai. lv. 3, could only be meant of that absolute promise of the Messiah to spring from his family, a glorious Prince and Saviour, of whom David was a type, and who was called also by his very name, David and the Son of David; and so is in effect the same promise with that of Ps. xvi. 10, “Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy One (or Thy Christ) to see corruption.” Pyle.

34. — now no more to return to corruption.] An Lazarus and the widow’s son did. Thus Christ’s “dying no more, and death having no more dominion over Him,” (Rom. vi. 9,) is a distinguishing privilege of His resurrection above that of any other persons miraculously restored to life, who all returned again to the dark prison of the grave. And this is what made the mercies, here spoken of, constant and continual, as the promise was absolute. Pyle.

— he said on this wise.] Isaiah said, Isai. lv. 3, “I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David,” that is, of Christ the Son of David; for David both in the language of Scripture and of the Jews is frequently used as a type of Christ. Dr. Whitby.

Acts 13:38

38. — that through this man is preached &c.] That this Jesus is the true Messiah, and that by the sacrifice of His death you have obtained the means of the full

served his own generation by the will of God, ⁸ fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

Anno DOMINI 45. q 1 Kings 2. 10.

Acts 13:39

39. And by him all that believe &c.] And this pardon by the blood of Jesus is much more extensive and effectual than what the purgations and sacrifices of the Mosaical law could ever procure for you: for this atonement of Jesus your Messiah reaches to the perfect and eternal forgiveness of every kind and degree of transgression, in them that sincerely believe and obey Him. Pyle.

Acts 13:40

40, 41. — lest that come upon you, &c.] Lest you come under the same character wherein the Prophet described your forefathers in Manasseh’s time, (Hab. i. 5,) and for a still more wicked obstinacy and contempt against God, be at last cut off by a destruction more exemplary and amazing than that of the Babylonish captivity. The Apostle seems clearly to refer to their final destruction by the Romans. Pyle.

Acts 13:42

42. — the next sabbath.] Some think the true meaning of the words in the original to be “in the week between,” (as in the margin,) that is, on some other day of the week, the Gentiles not keeping the seventh day holy as did the Jews. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 13:43

43. — to continue in the grace of God.] To continue stedfast in the profession which God had given them grace to embrace, chap. xiv. 22. Bp. Mann.

Acts 13:44

44. — came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.] No wonder that all, even idolatrous na-

The Gentiles believe. Paul and Barnabas Anno DOMINI 45.

Acts 13:46

46.—lo, we turn to the Gentiles.] Not from the Jews every where, for we find St. Paul still preaching to them in every synagogue where he came, chap. xvii. 2, but from the Jews of Antioch in Pisidia, it not being reasonable that the Jews of other places should be deprived of the Gospel for the perverseness of those at this place. Dr. Whitby.

Acts 13:47

47.—saying, I have set thee &c.] See Isai. xlix. 6, where is a plain prophecy that Christianity was not to be confined to the Jews, but was to be preached to the Gentiles also. It is probable, from what is said at ver. 2, 4, that St. Paul and St. Barnabas had received a particular command from the Holy Ghost for this purpose, and perhaps in the words of Isaiah here quoted by St. Paul. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 13:48

48.—glorified the word of the Lord.] Glorified the Lord for the word which He had given. Dr. Whitby.

—as many as were ordained &c.] As many as were fitly disposed and qualified for the Gospel to take root in their hearts. Dr. Hammond.

As many as were duly prepared and disposed in their hearts for the doctrines of eternal life, they with readi-

ness received the word, (as in chap. xvii. 11,) and became Christians. Bp. Mann.

Acts 13:50

50.—the devout and honourable women.] Meaning, probably, such as were proselytes, (see note at ver. 16,) and, by being of higher quality than others, had more the power of raising a persecution. Bp. Pearce.

Acts 13:51

51.—shook off the dust of their feet] As they were directed by our Saviour to do, Matt. x. 14. See note there.

—came unto Iconium.] Iconium was the chief city of Lycaonia, a small province of Asia Minor, lying northeast of Pisidia. Dr. Wells.

The Apostles, thus using only a mild but significant mark of their disapprobation of conduct so reprehensible, departed for another city, leaving behind them an infant Church, rejoicing in its new faith, and comforted by those inestimable spiritual gifts which were universally diffused on the primitive converts of the Gospel. Meanwhile this expulsion of the Apostles was the immediate cause of a greater dispersion of their doctrines, as it occasioned them to penetrate still further into the heart of the country. Thus truth works not in secret: justice seeks not a refuge in darkness: secret plots defeat their own purposes. Brewster.

Chap. XIV. ver. 1.—and also of the Greeks] Jewish proselytes who spoke the Greek language. Dr. Whitby.