King James Version

What Does Acts 13:18 Mean?

Acts 13:18 in the King James Version says “And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. suffered: or bore, or fed them as a nurse...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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”

Acts 13:18 · KJV

Context

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

19

And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20

And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness—Paul recounts Israel's wilderness period from Deuteronomy 1:31, where God 'bare' (נָשָׂא, nasa) Israel like a father carries a child. The KJV 'suffered he their manners' translates Greek τροποφορέω (tropophoreō), better rendered 'bore with their ways' or 'endured their conduct'—emphasizing divine patience with Israel's chronic rebellion.

Some manuscripts read ἐτροφοφόρησεν (etrophophorēsen, 'nourished them as a nurse'), yielding opposite meanings. The textual debate aside, Paul's point is clear: Israel's forty-year wilderness experience demonstrated both God's forbearance with sin and His covenant faithfulness despite persistent rebellion—the same grace now offered to Gentiles through Christ (v. 38-39). The number forty consistently signifies testing and divine patience throughout Scripture (Moses, Elijah, Jesus).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul preached this sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch around AD 47-48 during his first missionary journey. He addresses both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles (v. 16), grounding the gospel in Israel's salvation history from the Exodus through David to Christ. The forty-year period (Numbers 14:33-34) was God's judgment for the generation that refused to enter Canaan at Kadesh Barnea.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's patience with Israel's wilderness rebellion inform your understanding of His forbearance with your own repeated failures?
  2. What does Paul's emphasis on Israel's wilderness experience teach about the necessity of both divine judgment and sustaining grace in the believer's journey?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 9 words
καὶ1 of 9

“And”

G2532

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

ὡς2 of 9

“about”

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

τεσσαρακονταετῆ3 of 9

“of forty years”

G5063

of forty years of age

χρόνον4 of 9

“the time”

G5550

a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a

ἐτροποφόρησεν5 of 9

“manners”

G5159

to endure one's habits

αὐτοὺς6 of 9

“their”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν7 of 9

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ8 of 9
G3588

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

ἐρήμῳ9 of 9

“the wilderness”

G2048

lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)

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 13:18 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 13:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 7:36Psalms 106:13-29Exodus 16:35Psalms 78:17-42Hebrews 3:7-10Hebrews 3:16-19

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