1.
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
church . App-186 .
at = in. Greek. en . App-104 .
Antioch . See note on Acts 11:19 .
certain . Texts omit.
prophets . App-189 .
teachers . Greek. didaskalos. Occurs forty-eight times in Gospels, translated "Master" except in Luke 2:46 (doctor) and John 3:2 (teacher). Only here in Acts. Always "teacher" in the Epistles, except James 3:1 (master).
which had been brought up with = foster-brother of. Greek suntrophos. Only here.
Herod . Herod Antipas. App-109 .
tetrarch . See Matthew 14:1 .Luke 3:19 ; Luke 9:7 .
2.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
ministered . Greek. leitourgeo. App-190 . Here, Romans 15:27 . Hebrews 10:11 . In the Septuagint used of the Levitical service, as in Hebrews 10:11 .
the Holy Ghost . App-101 .
Separate . Compare Romans 1:1 .Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:15 .
whereunto = to which.
3.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
when they had = having.
prayed . Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 .
sent . . . away . Greek. apoluo. App-174 .
4.
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
sailed . Greek apopleo. Here, Acts 14:26 ; Acts 20:15 ; Acts 27:1 .
Cyprus . Compare Acts 4:36 .
5.
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Salamis . The first port they would reach, at east end of the island.
preached . Greek. katangello. App-121 .
word . Greek. logos. App-121 .
synagogues . App-120 . Compare Acts 13:14 ; Acts 14:1 ; Acts 17:1 , Acts 17:10 , Acts 17:17 ; Acts 18:4 , Acts 18:19 ; Acts 19:8 .
also John = John also. See Acts 12:25 . minister. Greek. huperetes ( App-190 .) He was not included by the Holy Spirit's command, but doubtless came at his kinsman (Colossians 4:10 ) Barnabas' invitation.
6.
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:
unto = as far as.
Paphos . The capital and residence of the governor. certain. Greek. tis. App-123 .
sorcerer . Greek. magos. Here, Acts 13:8 , and Matthew 2:1 , Matthew 2:7 , Matthew 2:16 .
false prophet . Greek. pseudoprophetes. Used five times by our Lord.
Bar-jesus . App-94 .:8.
7.
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
deputy of the country . Greek. anthupatos. Here, verses: Acts 13:8 , Acts 13:12 , Acts 13:38 . This is the Greek word for proconsul. Cyprus had been an imperial province, governed by a propraetor, but according to Strabo Augustus transferred it to the Senate, and the governor would be now a proconsul. The title "proconsul" has been found on a coin of Cyprus of A.D. 62, and a slab has been discovered at Soli in Cyprus, with the name Paulus,
proconsul . One of the proofs of Luke's accuracy.
prudent . Greek. sunetos. Here, Matthew 11:25 .Luke 10:21 . 1 Corinthians 1:19 .
man . Greek. aner, App-123 .
who = he.
desired = sought earnestly. Greek. epizeteo. See Acts 12:19 .
8.
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Elymas . The knowing one. Compare Ulema, the corporation of Moslem who interpret the Koran. Arabic alim, wise.
withstood . Greek. anthistimi. First Occurs Matthew 5:39 ; often translated "resist".
turn away. Greek. diastrepho. On its other six occurences translated "pervert" or "perverse", as Acts 13:10 . from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
faith . Greek. pistis. App-150 .
9.
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
also, &c . = is called Paul also. As a Roman citizen he would have a Roman name, as well as his Jewish one.
Paul . Always so called from this time, except when he refers to his conversion, Acts 22:7 , Acts 22:13 ; Acts 26:14 .
the Holy Ghost . App-101 .
set his eyes . . . and = gazing intently. Greek. atenizo. App-133 . This is inconsistent with weak sight.
10.
And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
all . Notice the three "alls".
subtilty = guile. Greek. dolos. Compare Matthew 26:4 .Mark 14:1 .Revelation 14:5 .
mischief = wickedness. Greek. radiourgia. Only here. Compare Acts 18:14 .
child = son. Greek. huios. App-108 . See Matthew 13:38 ; Matthew 23:15 .John 8:44 ; John 17:12 . 1 John 3:10 , and compare "sons of Belial", so frequent in the O.T.
righteousness . Greek. dikaiosune. App-191 . pervert. See Acts 13:8 .
right = straight
the Lord . App-98 . This rebuke is a case of Figure of speech Aganactesis. App-6 .
11.
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12.
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
saw . Greek. eidon. App-133 .
believed . App-150 .
astonished . Greek. ekplesso. Compare Matthew 7:28 ; Matthew 22:33 .Luke 4:32 .
at . Greek. epi. App-104 .
doctrine = teaching.
13.
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
Paul and his company . Literally Those about (Greek. per.) Paul. A Greek idiom.
loosed = weighed (anchor). Greek. anago. Used in this sense once in Luke (Acts 8:22 ), and thirteen times in Acts (Acts 16:11 ; Acts 18:21 , &c).
Perga . The capital of Pamphylia. A few miles up the Cestrus, which flows into the bay of Attalia. Now a ruin. John's departure may have been due to some difference as to the change of plan, and the proceeding from the lowlands of Pamphylia to the high ground of Antioch may have been on account of Paul's illness, to which he refers in Galatians 1:4 , Galatians 1:13 .
in = of.
departing = having withdrawn. Greek. apochoreo. Only here, Matthew 7:23 .Luke 9:39 .
14.
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15.
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
reading . Greek. anagnosis. Only here, 2Co 3:14 . 1 Timothy 4:13 . See note on Luke 4:16 , Luke 4:17 .
rulers, &c . Greek. archisunagogos. Here, Acts 18:8 , Acts 18:17 . Mark 5:22 , Mark 5:35 , Mark 5:36 , Mark 5:38 . Luke 8:49 ; Luke 13:14 . These rulers were probably the ruler and the angel. App-120 .
sent . Greek. apostello. App-174 .
men, &c. See note on Acts 1:11 .
if . App-118 .
ye have . There is among (Greek. en . App-104 .) you.
exhortation . Greek. paraklesis. See note on Acts 4:36 .
people . Greek. laos.
say on = speak. Greek. lego.
16.
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
Paul . Prom this time Paul takes precedence of Barnabas.
stood up, &c . = having risen up, and beckoned.
stood up . Greek. anistemi. App-178 .
beckoning . See note on Acts 12:17 .
Men of Israel = Men, Israelites. See note on Acts 1:11 .
ye that fear God . Compare Acts 13:26 ; Acts 10:2 , Acts 10:22 , Acts 10:35 .Luke 1:50 ; Luke 12:5 ; Luke 23:40 . Revelation 11:18 ; Revelation 14:7 ; Revelation 15:4 ; Revelation 19:5 .Psalms 61:5 , &c.
17.
The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
exalted . Greek. hupsoo. See note on John 12:32 .
when they dwelt as strangers = in (Greek. en . App-104 .) their sojourning. Greek. paroikia. Only here and 1 Peter 1:17 . Compare Acts 7:6 .
land . Greek. ge. App-129 .
out of . Greek. ek. App-104 .
18.
And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
about = as it were. Greek. hos.
of forty years . Greek. tessarakontaetes. See Acts 7:23 .
suffered He their manners . Greek. tropophoreo, but many MSS. read trophophoreo, bore them as a nurse. Compare Deuteronomy 1:31 . It is the change of one letter in the Greek.
19.
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
when He had = having. seven. See Deuteronomy 7:1 .
nations . Greek. ethnos.
divided . . . by lot = gave by lot. Greek. kataklerodoteo. Only here. Compare Septuagint, Psa 77:55 . But texts read katakleronomeo, distributed by lot. Frequently in Septuagint; e.g. Numbers 33:54 .
20.
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
that = these things.
the space of . Omit.
four hundred and fifty years . See App-50 and App-86 .
until . Greek. heos, i.e. the end of Samuel's ministry.
Samuel . See note on Acts 3:24 .
21.
And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
desired = asked. Greek. mid. of aiteo. App-134 .
unto = to.
Saul . Greek. Saoul. The Hebr. form. Compare Acts 9:4 .
son . Greek. huios. App-108 .
of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
by . Omit.
forty years . See App-10 and App-50 .
22.
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
removed = set aside. Greek. methistemi. Only here, Acts 19:26 . Luke 16:4 . 2 Chronicles 1:13; 2 Chronicles 1:13 .
raised up . Greek. egeiro. App-178 .
to be their king = for (Greek. eis) . king.
He gave testimony, and = having testified, (Greek. martureo. See p. 1511). He. The quotation is from Pa. Act 89:20 .
have . Omit.
after = according to. Greek. kata. App-104 .
shall fulfil = will do.
will = wishes, or desires. Pl, as in Ephesians 2:3 . Greek. thelema. App-102 .
23.
Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
Of = From. Greek. apo.
this man's = this one's.
according to . Greek. kata, as in Acts 13:22 .
promise . See 2 Samuel 7:12-16 . Psalms 132:11 .
raised . Greek. egeiro, as in Acts 13:22 . But the texts read ago, led or brought.
24.
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
When John, &c . = John having before proclaimed. Greek. prokerusso. See note on Acts 3:20 .
His coming . Literally the face of His entering in (Greek. eisodos), i.e. upon public life.
25.
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
fulfilled, &c . = was running his race. Compare Acts 20:24 .
fulfilled . Greek. pleroo. App-125 .
course . Greek. dromos. Only here, Act 20:24 . 2 Timothy 4:7 .
Whom = Who.
think = suppose. Greek. huponoeo. Only here, Acts 25:18 ; Acts 27:27 .
26.
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
stock = race. Greek. genos.
whosoever, &c . = those among (Greek. en.) you who fear. See Acts 13:16 .
is = was.
sent . Greek. apostello, as in Acts 13:15 , but the texts read exapoatello. App-174 .
27.
For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
dwell . Greek. katoikeo. See note on Acts 2:5 .
because, &c . = being ignorant of.
Him . This word referring to Acts 13:26 .
nor yet = and.
every sabbath day = throughout ( kata ) every sabbath.
in condemning = having judged. Greek. krino. App-122 .
28.
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
though they = having. no. Greek. medeis.
cause . Greek. aitia. See John 18:38 ; John 19:4 , John 19:6 .
slain . Greek. anaireo. See note on Acts 2:23 .
29.
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
fulfilled = ended. Greek. teleo.
all that was = all things that were.
of = concerning. Greek. peri.
tree . Greek. xulon. See Acts 5:30 .
in = into. Greek. eis. App-104 .
sepulchre = tomb. Greek. mnemeion. See note on Matthew 27:60 .
30.
But God raised him from the dead:
from the dead . Greek. ek nekron. App-139 .
31.
And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
seen . Greek. optomai. App-106 .
many days = for (Greek. epi.) many days.
of = by.
came up with Him . Greek. sunanabaino. Only here and Mark 15:41 .
Galilee . All the Apostles, except Judas, were Galileans Compare Acts 1:11 ; Acts 2:7 . Luke 23:49 , Luke 23:55 .
are . The texts add "now".
witnesses . See Acts 1:8 .
32.
And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
declare unto you glad tidings = tell you good news. Greek. euangelizo. App-121 .
33.
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
the same = this.
children . Greek. teknon. App-108 .
in that he hath . . . again = having raised up. Greek. anistemi. App-178 .
it is also, &c . = it has been written in the second Psalm also. See Psalms 2:7 . App-107 .
begotten Thee = brought Thee to the birth, i.e. in resurrection.
34.
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
And as concerning = But.
no more, &c . = being no longer (Greek. meketi. Comp. of me. App-105 .) about to return.
to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
corruption . Greek. diaphthora. See note on Acts 2:27 . Here corruption means the place of corruption, i.e. the grave, for He did not see corruption and therefore could not return to it.
on this wise = thus.
sure = assured. Greek. pistos. App-150 .
mercies = holy things. Greek. hosios. See Acts 2:27 . Same as "holy" in Acts 13:35 . The sure mercies are the promises faithfully kept by the Almighty. Figure of speech Catachresis. See Isaiah 55:3 .
35.
Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
also, &c . = in another Psalm also.
another . Greek. heteroa. App-124 . The reference is to Psalms 16:10 .
shalt = wilt. suffer = give. Holy One. Greek. Jioaios. as in Acts 13:3 *.
36.
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
David = David indeed.
after he had = having.
served . Greek. hupereteo. App-190 .
will . Greek. boule. App-102 . Compare Acts 13:22 . Only place where boule is translated "will".
fell on sleep . Greek. koimaomai. App-171 .
37.
But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
again . Omit.
no = not. Greek. ou. App-105 .
38.
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39.
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
by = in. Greek. en.
Him = This One.
all that believe are = every one who believes is.
justified . Greek. dikaioo. App-191 .
could not = were not able to.
Moses . See Acts 3:22 .
40.
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
Beware = See. Greek. blepo. App-133 .
lest . Greek. me. App-105 .
upon . Greek. epi. App-104 . But the texts omit "upon you".
41.
Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
Behold . Greek. Plural of ide. App-133 . The quotation is from Habakkuk 1:5 .
despisers . Greek. kataphronetes. Only here.
perish = vanish away. Greek. aphanizo. Occurs elsewhere, Matthew 6:16 , Matthew 6:19 , Matthew 6:20 . James 4:14 . Negative of phaino, App-106 . Compare Luke 24:31 .Hebrews 4:13 ; Hebrews 8:13 .
in no wise . Greek. ou me. App-105 .
believe . App-150 .
though = (even) if.
a man = one. Greek. tis. App-123 .
declare . Greek. ekdiegeomai. Only here and Acts 15:3 . A medical word. Compare diegeomai (Acts 8:33 ).
42.
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
the Jews . Texts omit.
gone = going forth. Greek. exeimi. Only here, Acts 17:15 ; Acts 20:7 ; Acts 27:43 .
the Gentiles . The texts read "they".
besought = were beseeching. Greek. parakaleo. App-134 .
words . Greek. rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .
preached = spoken. Greek. laleo. App-121 .
the next sabbath = on (Greek. eis.) the intervening (Greek. metaxu) sabbath.
One of the weekly gatherings . See App-120 .
43.
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
congregation = synagogue.
broken up = released. Greek. luo, same word as "loosed" in Acts 13:25 .
religious = worshipping. Greek. sebomai. App-137 .
proselytes . See note on Matthew 23:15 .
speaking to = addressing. Greek. proslaleo. Only here and Acts 28:20 .
persuaded = were urging. Greek. peitho. App-150 .
continue . Greek. epimeno. See note on Acts 10:48 . The texts read prosmeno, as in Acts 11:23 .
grace . Greek. charis. App-184 .
44.
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
the next sabbath day = the following sabbath; not the same expression as in Acts 13:42 .
came . . . together = was gathered together.
almost . Greek. schedon. Here, Acts 19:26 , and Hebrews 9:22 .
45.
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
multitudes = crowds. Greek. ochlos. envy. Gr . zelos. Compare Acts 5:17 .
spake against . Greek. antilego. Compare Luke 2:34 . The same word as "contradicting" at the end of the verse. See note on Acts 28:19 .
46.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
waxed bold, and = speaking boldly. Greek. parrhesiazomai. See note on Acts 9:27 .
spoken . Greek. laleo. App-121 .
seeing = since. Greek. epeide.
put it from you = thrust it away. Greek. apotheomai. See note on Acts 7:27 .
judge . Greek. krino. App-122 .
unworthy = not (Greek. ou) worthy.
everlasting . Greek. aionios. App-151 .
life . Greek. zoe. App-170 .
lo = behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . Greek. idou.
Gentiles . Greek. ethnos.
47.
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
light . Greek. phos. App-130 . The quotation is from Isaiah 49:6 . This commission to Jehovah's Servant is cited as their authority for turning to the Gentiles.
that thou shouldest be = to be.
unto = as far as. Greek. heos.
earth . Greek. ge. App-129 .
48.
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
ordained = appointed. Greek. tasao. Here, Acts 15:2 ; Acts 22:10 ; Acts 28:23 .Matthew 28:16 . Luke 7:8 . Romans 13:1 . 1 Corinthians 16:15 .
eternal . Greek. aionios.
49.
And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50.
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
stirred up = instigated. Greek. parotruno Only here.
devout . Greek. sebomai, same as "religious" (Acts 13:43 ). honourable. Greek. euschemdn. Here, Acts 17:12 .Mark 15:43 . 1 Corinthians 7:35 ; 1 Corinthians 12:24 .
chief men = first.
raised . Greek. epegeiro. App-178 . Only here and Acts 14:2 .
against . Greek. epi. App-104 .
out of . Greek. apo. App-104 .
coasts = borders.
51.
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
shook off . Greek. ektinasso. Only here, Acts 18:6 . Matthew 10:14 .Mark 6:11 . A medical word. Compare Nehemiah 5:13 . Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6 .
Iconium . Now Konieh, the present (1915) terminus of the Bagdad railway. About 300 miles from Smyrna.
52.
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.