1Barnabas and Saul, being set apart with fasting and prayer, are sent forth by the Holy Ghost to the work of their calling. 6At Paphos Elymas the sorcerer opposing the gospel is smitten with blindness, and the deputy Sergius Paulus converted to the faith. 13Paul and his company come to Antioch in Pisidia: Paul preacheth Christ, and the necessity of faith in him unto justification. 42The Gentiles desire to hear the word again: many are converted. 44The envious Jews gainsay and blaspheme: the apostles profess to turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe. 50The Jews raise a persecution, and expel Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium.
1NOW there were in the church that was ata Antioch 1certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with 2Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
a Acts 14:26.
1 Some take these two words for one thing, others distinguish them thus, that those were prophets, who by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost had extraordinary gifts to foretell things to come, and to expound the Holy Scripture; but teachers, who had an ordinary calling and gifts, to instruct and govern the church in the entire worship of God. See 1 Cor. 14:1; Eph. 4:11.
2 Namely, Herod Antipas, who put John the Baptist to death, Mat. 14:1; Mark 6:14; Luke 3:19, and mocked Christ and sent Him again to Pilate, Luke 23:11, from which appears that this Manaen was a man of honor, and also in civil respect.
2As they 3ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost 4said, 5Separateb me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have calledc them.
3 The Greek word leitourgein that is here used, signifies to do almost all kinds of public service, and is ascribed to the magistrates, Rom. 13:6, and to the angels, Heb. 1:14, and here including it is understood the public ministry of preaching or prophesying, with the public prayers and administration of the Sacraments, with that which pertains thereunto.
4 Namely, by the foresaid prophets.
5 Namely, from the service of this church where there are enough other teachers, to send them to the Gentiles, whereunto I ordained them from the beginning, Acts 26:16, etc.
b Acts 9:15; 22:21; Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:15; 2:8; Eph. 3:8; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11.
c Mat. 9:38; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4.
3Andd when they had fasted and prayed, and 6laid their handse on them, they sent them away.
d Acts 6:6; 8:15; 19:6.
6 Not thereby to choose them to be apostles whereunto they were already chosen by God earlier, verse 1, and Acts 9:15, but to strengthen them in this mission to the Gentiles by prayer and imposition of hands.
e Acts 14:26.
4¶So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto 7Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
7 This was a city of Syria, close to Antioch, built by king Seleucus, from where men could easily cross over unto Cyprus.
5And when they were at 8Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also Johnf to their minister.
8 This was a city of Cyprus on the east side of the island, over against Syria, now called Famagusta.
f Acts 12:25.
6And when they had gone through the isle unto 9Paphos, they found ag certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was 10Bar-jesus:
9 This was also a city of Cyprus on the west side of that island.
g Acts 8:9; 19:13.
10 That is, a son of Jesus.
7Which was with the 11deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
11 Gr. anthypatos, that is, who was placed there with power of a consul to govern the island in the name of the Roman Empire.
8Buth Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
h Exod. 7:11; 2 Tim. 3:8.
9Then Saul, (12who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
12 Thus far he was called Saul, and from here on he is called by Luke, as well as by himself in the superscription of his epistles, Paul. Now he, who was called Saul by the Hebrews and the Syrians, was called Paul by the Romans and Greeks, so that he was called Saul as long as he associated amongst the Jews, Syrians and Arabians, but afterwards, when by God’s special calling he was sent principally to the Gentiles, that is, to the Romans and Greeks, from that time forward he always retained the name of Paul, that he might be the more acceptable with them, which seems first to have been given him by the household of Sergius Paulus, as being usual with them.
10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou 13child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease 14to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
13 Gr. son; that is, who follows and obeys the devil as a son does his father, John 8:44.
14 Or, to turn around, and as it were to dig up, and to hinder that men cannot go thereon. Or, to wrest, to make crooked.
11And now, behold, 15the 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 16a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
15 That is, the punishing hand, or power of the Lord.
16 That is, blindness; for, to those who are blind, all is dim and dark.
12Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
13Now when 17Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in 18Pamphylia: andi19John departing from them 20returned to Jerusalem.
17 Gr. they who were about Paul; by which phrase is understood either the person himself, as in John 11:19, or those of his company, as in Luke 22:49, or both, as in Acts 21:8, as it is here also taken, as appears from verse 16.
18 This was a region in the mainland of Asia Minor, bordering on Cilicia.
i Acts 15:38.
19 Surnamed Mark; Acts 12:12, 25.
20 This seems to be done by him out of physical infirmity and overmuch traveling, or desire to visit his mother and friends, Acts 12:12, at Jerusalem; which nevertheless displeased Paul, Acts 15:38.
14¶But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch 21in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
21 This was a part of Pamphylia wherein this Antioch was situated, so surnamed to distinguish the same from the other Antioch in Syria, from which they came forth, verses 1, 4.
15And after 22the reading of the law and the prophets 23the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of 24exhortation for the people, say on.
22 Namely, according to the laudable custom of the Jews, usual in all synagogues on all Sabbaths. See verse 27 and Acts 15:21.
23 These were certain priests and elders of the people which made up the consistories in every synagogue. See Mark 5:22.
24 Or, consolation.
16Then Paul stood up, and beckoningj with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
j Acts 12:17; 19:33; 21:40.
17The God of this people of Israel chosek our fathers, and 25exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and 26with an high arm brought he them out of it.
k Isa. 28:14; Hab. 1:5.
25 Namely, especially when He did all the miracles in Egypt, and sent all the plagues upon Pharaoh and his people, to deliver them.
26 That is, with exceeding power, Exod. 13:16; Isa. 63:12.
18Andl about the time of forty years suffered he 27their manners in the wilderness.
l Exod. 16:35; Num. 14:34; Psalm 95:10.
27 That is, their rebellion, temptations and murmurings, Psalm 95:8, 9; Heb. 3:8, 9.
19And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them 28bym lot.
28 Or, gave them for an inheritance.
m Joshua 14:2.
20And after that he gave unto them judgesn about the space of 29four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
n Judges 2:16; 3:9.
29 Some number these four hundred and fifty years from the birth of Isaac unto the Judges, between which time there passed away four hundred and forty-seven years, and join the words after that to the beginning of the 17th verse as if he would say: After the choosing of our fathers, etc. Others judge that the words after that must be joined to the end of the 17th verse, that is, beginning from the exodus of the children of Israel out of Egypt unto the death of Samuel, which time contains almost four hundred and forty years, as may be seen in 1 Kings 6:1, and that Paul, to name a round number, therefore said about the space of four hundred and fifty years, as that is usual in all languages, when it is but a little less or more.
21Ando afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saulp the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of 30forty years.
o 1 Sam. 8:5; Hosea 13:11.
p 1 Sam. 9:15; 10:1.
30 Namely, the years being included therein which Samuel had ruled before and with Saul.
22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them Davidq to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, Ir have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
q 1 Sam. 16:12.
r 1 Sam. 13:14; Psalm 89:20; Acts 7:45.
23Of this man's seed hath God 31according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
31 Namely, made to David, 2 Sam. 7:12, 13; Psalm 89:20 and 132:11; Isa. 11:1; Acts 2:30; Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8.
24Whens John had first preached 32before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
s Mat. 3:1; Mark 1:2; Luke 3:2; John 3:23.
32 Gr. before the face of his entrance, that is, before the face of Jesus, Who was now come.
25And as John 33fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? It am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whoseu shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
33 That is, was yet busy to fulfill his course, John 1:19.
t John 1:20.
u Mat. 3:11.
26Men and brethren, 34children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, 35tov you is the word of this salvation sent.
34 Gr. sons.
35 Namely, first and especially, verse 46.
v verse 46; Mat. 10:6; Acts 3:26.
27For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they kneww him not, nor yet 36the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
w John 16:3; Acts 3:17; 1 Cor. 2:8; 1 Tim. 1:13.
36 That is, the prediction of the prophets, that He must suffer, and to enter into His glory; Luke 24:25, 26.
28Andx though they found no 37cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
x Mat. 27:20; Mark 15:11; Luke 23:18; John 19:6.
37 Or, guilt of death.
29And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from 38the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
38 Namely, from the cross, Acts 5:30 and 10:39; 1 Peter 2:24.
30Buty God raised him from the dead:
y Mat. 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6.
31And hez was seen 39many days of them 40which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
z Mat. 16:14; John 20:19; 21:1; Acts 1:3; 1 Cor. 15:5.
39 Namely, forty days after His resurrection until His ascension.
40 Namely, of His apostles and other disciples to the number of five hundred. See 1 Cor. 15:5, 6.
32And we 41declare unto you glad tidings, how that theaa promise which was made unto the fathers,
41 Gr. evangelize.
aa Gen. 3:15; 22:18; 26:4; 49:10; Deut. 18:15; 2 Sam. 7:12; Psalm 132:11; Isa. 4:2; 7:14; 9:6; 40:10; Jer. 23:5; 33:14; Ezek. 34:23; 37:24; Dan. 9:24, 25.
33God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath 42raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, 43this day have I begotten thee.
42 That is, has sent into the world to accomplish the work of redemption, Acts 3:22.
43 This is understood of the eternal generation of the Son by the Father and of the manifestation of the same in the fullness of time. Whereof see the further exposition in the annotations at Heb. 1 on verse 5 and 5 on verse 5.
34And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return 44to corruption, he said on this wise, Iab will give you the 45sure mercies 46of David.
44 That is, to the grave, where the bodies are to corrupt and to rot.
ab Isa. 55:3.
45 That is, firm and immovable.
46 That is, which were promised to David of the everlasting Kingdom, that God by this His Son would set up, whereunto His resurrection from the dead was necessary, Luke 1:31 and 32.
35Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thouac shalt not suffer 47thine Holy One to see corruption.
ac Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27.
47 That is, the body of Thy holy One, Whom Thou hast sanctified to be a Redeemer of Thy people. See Acts 2:27.
36Forad David, after he had served his own generation by 48the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
ad 1 Kings 2:10; Acts 2:29.
48 That is, the Providence of God in the government of His people as a prophet and king.
37But 49he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
49 Namely, the Holy One, or Sanctified One of Whom he has prophesied.
38¶Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, thatae through 50this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
ae Luke 24:47; 1 John 2:12.
50 Namely, Jesus, Whom He hath raised up for a Savior, and raised Him up from the dead.
39Andaf by him allag that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified 51by the law of Moses.
af Rom. 3:28; 8:3; Gal. 2:16; Heb. 7:19.
ag Rom. 10:4.
51 Gr. in, as also in the sequel, that is, neither by the moral law, which indeed points to sin and the curse, but not how they are taken away, Rom. 8:3; nor through the ceremonial law, which indeed held forth a shadow of the cleansing away of sins, but had not the power itself therein, but only directed us unto Him, Who was the body of all these shadows, namely, to Jesus Christ. See Heb. 10:1, etc.
40Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of 52in the prophets;
52 That is, in the book of the minor prophets, namely, Hab. 1:5. See Acts 7:42, although some also think that not only this place, but also Isa. 28:14, should be cited together, where the word despisers is expressed.
41Behold,ah 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.
ah Isa. 28:14; Hab. 1:5.
42And 53when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, 54the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them 55the next sabbath.
53 Or, and when they (namely, Paul and Barnabas) were gone out of the synagogue of the Jews.
54 Namely, proselytes or other religious Gentiles, who were there in the synagogue to hear the law. See verse 43.
55 Or, on the inter-sabbath, that is, on the days between the Sabbath; because it seems that Paul and Barnabas in the interim also dealt with many Gentiles, from where this concourse of people arose against the next Sabbath, verse 44.
43Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytesai followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuadedaj them to continue 56in the grace of God.
ai converts to Judaism.
aj Acts 11:23; 14:22.
56 That is, by the doctrine of the grace procured by Jesus Christ, whereof he had spoken, verses 38, 39, and that contrary to the doctrine of the Pharisaical Jews, who urged righteousness by the law.
44¶And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, Itak was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: butal seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves 57unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
ak verse 26; Mat. 10:6; Acts 3:26.
al Exod. 32:10; Isa. 55:5; Mat. 8:12; 21:43; Rom. 10:19.
57 That is, to be declared and shown unworthy and stiff-necked.
47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, Iam have set thee 58to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
am Isa. 42:6; 49:6; Luke 2:32.
58 These words are, Isa. 49:6, spoken of Christ, and are also applied very well by the apostles to their ministry; for, forasmuch as the Jews rejected Christ, Who was preached unto them by the apostles, it followed therefore that from henceforth they must offer Christ to the Gentiles, to whom He was also set for a light by the Father.
48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were 59ordained to eternal life believed.
59 That is, chosen by God, and were by Him disposed unto eternal life, as this word signifies everywhere in the Holy Scripture. And this is spoken here, not only of this one sermon of Paul, but also of the continual progress, and steadfast fruit of the Gospel, as appears in verse 49. See Rom. 8:29, 30 and 9:23, and 11:5, 6, 7 and elsewhere.
49And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50But the Jews stirred up the 60devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, andan raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
60 That is, who were of esteem and attached to the Jews and their religion; by whom they stirred up the principal governors of the city, through a mistaken zeal against the apostles.
an 2 Tim. 3:11.
51But they 61shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto 62Iconium.
61 Namely, according to the command of Christ, Mat. 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; Acts 18:6.
62 This was a city of Lycaonia, by the mount Taurus, whereof see Acts 14:6, 11.
52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.