King James Version

What Does Acts 13:16 Mean?

Acts 13:16 in the King James Version says “Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.” — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.”

Acts 13:16 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

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.

16

Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

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.

18

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. suffered: or bore, or fed them as a nurse beareth, or feedeth, her child

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand (ἀναστὰς δὲ Παῦλος καὶ κατασείσας τῇ χειρί, anastas de Paulos kai kataseisas tē cheiri)—the participle κατασείσας (kataseisas, 'having motioned, gestured') describes the rhetorical gesture signaling a speaker's intention to address the assembly. Standing to speak follows synagogue protocol. Paul's hand gesture commands attention, a common oratorical technique in Greco-Roman culture. This introduces Paul's longest recorded sermon in Acts (vv. 16-41), his 'Romans in miniature.'

Men of Israel, and ye that fear God (Ἄνδρες Ἰσραηλῖται καὶ οἱ φοβούμενοι τὸν θεόν, Andres Israēlitai kai hoi phoboumenoi ton theon)—Paul addresses two distinct groups: ethnic Jews (Ἰσραηλῖται, Israēlitai) and God-fearers (φοβούμενοι τὸν θεόν, phoboumenoi ton theon)—Gentiles attracted to Judaism's monotheism and ethics but not full proselytes. God-fearers attended synagogue, observed some Torah, but avoided circumcision. They became Christianity's first major Gentile converts, forming the bridge between Jewish and Gentile missions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's sermon follows classical rhetorical structure (exordium, narratio, probatio, peroratio) while remaining thoroughly Jewish in content. The address to 'men of Israel and God-fearers' reflects typical diaspora synagogue composition. God-fearers (like Cornelius, Acts 10:2) represented Gentiles dissatisfied with paganism but hesitant about full Jewish conversion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's two-part address—Jews and God-fearers—demonstrate cultural awareness and strategic audience analysis?
  2. What role did God-fearers play in early Christianity's rapid expansion among Gentiles, and what contemporary parallels exist?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ἀναστὰς1 of 16

“stood up”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

δὲ2 of 16

“Then”

G1161

but, and, etc

Παῦλος3 of 16

“Paul”

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

καὶ4 of 16

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κατασείσας5 of 16

“beckoning”

G2678

to sway downward, i.e., make a signal

τῇ6 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χειρὶ7 of 16

“with his hand”

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

εἶπεν·8 of 16

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ἄνδρες9 of 16

“Men”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

Ἰσραηλῖται10 of 16

“of Israel”

G2475

an "israelite", i.e., descendant of israel (literally or figuratively)

καὶ11 of 16

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ12 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φοβούμενοι13 of 16

“ye that fear”

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

τὸν14 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεόν15 of 16

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἀκούσατε16 of 16

“give audience”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 13:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 13:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 12:17Acts 13:26Acts 10:2Acts 19:33Psalms 67:7Acts 2:14

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