ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Acts 13

Acts 13:1–14:28 The Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia. Chapters 13 and 14 relate Paul’s “first missionary journey.” Sent by the Antioch church, Paul and Barnabas witnessed on Cyprus and in the southern cities of the Roman province of Galatia.

Acts 13:1 Prophets and teachers are always distinct offices in the NT church. See note on 1 Cor. 12:10 and other notes on 1 Corinthians 12–14. Niger indicates he likely came from Africa, as did the Cyrenean Lucius. (Cyrene was the capital city of a Roman province on the north coast of Africa; see Acts 2:10.) Herod the tetrarch is Herod Antipas, who reigned in Galilee 4 b.c.–a.d. 39, during Jesus’ ministry (Matt. 14:1; Luke 3:1; 23:8; Acts 4:27). He was a son of Herod the Great (Matt. 2:1). Manaen, as a lifelong friend of Herod Antipas, would have been brought up with him from childhood.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting. “They” likely refers to the whole congregation, although the five prophets may well have given the Spirit’s message.

Acts 13:3 they. Probably the entire congregation. The laying on of hands was a “commissioning,” indicating the church’s support of the two in their mission. It also provided a physical symbol of giving the Holy Spirit’s power to them (see 6:6; 8:17; 9:17; 19:6).

Acts 13:4–12 The two missionaries worked first on Cyprus, Barnabas’s home (4:36). The events of Paul’s first missionary journey are recorded in 13:4–14:26. It likely began in a.d. 46 or 47 and lasted perhaps a year and a half.

Acts 13:4 Setting out from Antioch (v. 1), Paul and Barnabas traveled about 16 miles (26 km) down to the port city of Seleucia.

Acts 13:5 Salamis was the closest port of Cyprus (about 130 miles [209 km] southwest of Seleucia). John (John Mark) was an assistant to Paul and Barnabas (see note on 12:12). They began their witness in the synagogues of the Jews, a pattern regularly followed by Paul (17:1–2). This was a natural starting point, since the Jewish people already believed that the OT Scriptures were the authoritative and truthful words of God.

Acts 13:6 Paphos was 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Salamis. It was the seat of the Roman government of Cyprus. Bar-Jesus. Paul’s later description of him as a “son of the devil” suggests that his “magic” was assisted by demonic powers. Both pagan and Jewish people practiced magic. Its goals included healing diseases, bringing physical blessings, cursing or otherwise harming others, and guarding against both curses and demons. Magicians also claimed to know the future.

Acts 13:7 The proconsul was the highest-ranking official in a Roman senatorial province.

Acts 13:8 Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas, opposed the missionaries because he viewed them as a threat to his profitable relationship with the proconsul.

Acts 13:9 This verse marks the transition in Acts from Saul to Paul. Now that he is working in Gentile territory, the Hebrew Saul becomes known by his Roman name, Paul. He will be so named throughout the rest of Acts, except in 22:7 and 13 and 26:14, which recall earlier events.

Acts 13:11–12 the proconsul believed. Throughout Acts, miracles have a significant role in bringing unbelievers to genuine faith.

Acts 13:13 Perga was 8 miles (13 km) inland. Paul does not seem to have remained there long, but witnessed there on his return journey (14:25). The reason for John Mark’s departure is not specified. Paul’s later conflict with Barnabas (15:36–41) shows that he was not pleased that John Mark left.

Acts 13:14 Antioch in Pisidia. The city had a large Jewish population. It had the high status of being a Roman “colony.” synagogue. See notes on v. 5; Rom. 1:16.

Acts 13:15 The regular synagogue service centered around the reading of Scriptures from the Law and the Prophets. rulers. Worship was led by the ruling elder.

Acts 13:16–41 Paul’s sermon consisted of three parts: a sketch of OT history (vv. 16b–25), God’s ultimate provision in Jesus Christ (vv. 26–37), and an invitation (vv. 38–41). You who fear God (v. 16) refers to the “God-fearers” in the synagogue (see note on 10:2).

Acts 13:20 About 450 years seems to cover the period from Israel’s time in Egypt (400 years) through the wilderness (40 years) and conquest (about 10 years), to the judges.

Acts 13:31 For many days he appeared suggests that there were more resurrection appearances of Jesus than are recorded in the Gospels.

Acts 13:38–39 freed. The Greek verb here is regularly translated “justified” and means “to declare innocent, to justify.” Many Jews sought to deal with their sin through living by the law of Moses. The law cannot free a person from sin, though. Not only do all people fail to keep it but it was never designed to bring about final atonement for sins (Gal. 3:10–14; Heb. 10:1–14).

Acts 13:42–52 Although the response at the synagogue was favorable, the Jews turned against Paul the next Sabbath when a large group of Gentiles showed up. Paul responded by preaching to the Gentiles, a pattern he continued in every city he visited.

Acts 13:44 Since the population of Antioch was mainly Gentile, almost the whole city indicates that the majority who came were Gentiles.

Acts 13:46–47 Citing Isa. 49:6, Paul stated he was now turning to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas do the work of the “servant” described in Isaiah because of their connection to Jesus, God’s servant. It was necessary to begin with the Jews since they were God’s chosen people and had priority in salvation history (see note on Rom. 1:16).

Acts 13:48 as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. Throughout Acts, Luke maintains a dual emphasis on divine election (“appointed”) and human response (“believed”) (see 2:23; 3:13–16; 3:17; 4:27; 4:28).

Acts 13:51 shook off the dust from their feet. See note on Matt. 10:14. Iconium was 90 miles (145 km) by road southeast from Pisidian Antioch.