Acts 13:26-33
Chapter 13
It is a fact that the inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus. Yet, in condemning him, they fulfilled the words of the prophets read every Sabbath, but not understood.
Even though they found no charge against him worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
After they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead,
and for many days afterward, he showed himself to those who had come with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They have now become his witnesses before the people.
We, ourselves, announce to you this good news:
All that God promised our ancestors, he has fulfilled for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’
Commentaries
In Antioch of Pisidia.
The missionary team reaches Antioch of Pisidia and goes to the synagogue on the Sabbath. They are invited to speak about the readings from the Law and the Prophets. This visit is similar to the one Jesus made to the synagogue in Nazareth, described by Luke in his Gospel (cf. Lk 4:16-30). However, while Jesus was unsuccessful, Paul and Barnabas succeeded. The listeners, including pagans interested in Judaism, invite them to return and speak the next Sabbath. That day, a large crowd gathered to listen, and Luke says the entire population was present. The Jewish leaders, filled with envy, insulted and contradicted the missionaries. What was remarkable, however, was that many pagans understood the missionaries’ message.
In contrast, most of the Jews rejected it. Confronted with this attitude, Paul and Barnabas openly declare that from now on, preaching the Gospel to the pagans will take priority. Luke doesn’t want to end the story on a negative note of expulsion, so he notes that, although the authorities pushed them out, the disciples stayed in the city, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.