Acts 13:44-52
Chapter 13
But the presence of such a crowd made the Jews jealous. So they began to oppose with insults, whatever Paul said.
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out firmly, saying:
It was necessary for God’s word to be first proclaimed to you, but since you now reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we turn to the non-Jewish people.
For thus we were commanded by the Lord:
I have set you as a light to the pagan nations,
so that you may bring my salvation
to the ends of the earth.
When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and praised the Lord’s message; all those destined for eternal life believed in it.
Thus, the word spread throughout the whole region.
Some of the Jews, however, incited God-fearing women of high status and the leading men of the city, stirring up intense persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Ultimately, they had them expelled from the area.
The apostles shook the dust off their feet in protest against these people and went to Iconium,
leaving the disciples filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
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.