King James Version

What Does Acts 13:20 Mean?

Acts 13:20 in the King James Version says “And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.” — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Acts 13:20 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years—Paul's sermon in Pisidian Antioch recounts Israel's history from Egyptian bondage through the period of the judges. The 450-year timeframe has prompted scholarly discussion: some manuscripts place this duration before the judges (covering Egyptian bondage, wilderness wandering, and Canaan's conquest), while others include the judges themselves. The Greek phrase hōs etesin tetrakosiois kai pentēkonta (ὡς ἔτεσιν τετρακοσίοις καὶ πεντήκοντα) indicates an approximate period.

Until Samuel the prophet (ἕως Σαμουὴλ τοῦ προφήτου)—Samuel marks the crucial transition from the chaotic judge era to the monarchy. As both the last judge and first prophet of a new order, Samuel embodied God's faithful leadership before Israel's rebellious demand for a king. Paul's sermonic narrative builds toward Christ as God's ultimate appointed ruler, showing how even Israel's monarchy under David was preparatory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul delivered this sermon around AD 47-48 during his first missionary journey. Speaking in a synagogue, he employed a historical survey familiar to Jewish audiences—a rhetorical pattern seen throughout Acts (7:2-53, 13:16-41). The judges period (c. 1375-1050 BC) represented Israel's theocratic government, where God raised up deliverers in cycles of apostasy and repentance. Samuel (c. 1100-1020 BC) anointed both Saul and David, bridging the era of judges to the Davidic monarchy from which Messiah would come.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's historical survey demonstrate God's patient faithfulness through Israel's repeated cycles of rebellion and deliverance?
  2. Why is Samuel's role as the transition figure from judges to kings significant in understanding God's redemptive plan culminating in Christ the King?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
καὶ1 of 14

“And”

G2532

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

μετὰ2 of 14

“after”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ταῦτα3 of 14

“that”

G5023

these things

ὡς4 of 14

“about”

G5613

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

ἔτεσιν5 of 14

“years”

G2094

a year

τετρακοσίοις6 of 14

“the space of four hundred”

G5071

four hundred

καὶ7 of 14

“And”

G2532

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

πεντήκοντα8 of 14

“fifty”

G4004

fifty

ἔδωκεν9 of 14

“he gave”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

κριτὰς10 of 14

“unto them judges”

G2923

a judge (genitive case or specially)

ἕως11 of 14

“until”

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

Σαμουὴλ12 of 14

“Samuel”

G4545

samuel (i.e., shemuel), an israelite

τοῦ13 of 14
G3588

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

προφήτου14 of 14

“the prophet”

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

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 13:20 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 13:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 2:161 Samuel 3:201 Chronicles 17:61 Samuel 12:112 Samuel 7:11Judges 3:10

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