King James Version

What Does Acts 13:46 Mean?

Acts 13:46 in the King James Version says “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you:... — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 13:46 · KJV


Context

44

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

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.

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.

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul and Barnabas's bold declaration - 'It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you... lo, we turn to the Gentiles' - marks a theological turning point. God's historical priority for Israel (Romans 1:16) didn't exclude Gentiles but established the pattern. Jewish rejection opened the door for Gentile inclusion, demonstrating how God's purposes advance even through opposition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This statement in Pisidian Antioch established precedent for Paul's later ministry pattern: synagogue preaching first, then turning to Gentiles when Jews rejected the message. It reflected God's redemptive history from particular (Israel) to universal (all nations).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's commitment to His purposes persist even when initial recipients reject His offer?
  2. What does this teach about the relationship between God's historical dealings with Israel and the church's Gentile mission?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
παῤῥησιασάμενοί1 of 34

waxed bold

G3955

to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor

δὲ2 of 34

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 34
G3588

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

Παῦλος4 of 34

Paul

G3972

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

καὶ5 of 34

and

G2532

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

6 of 34
G3588

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

Βαρναβᾶς7 of 34

Barnabas

G921

son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite

εἶπον,8 of 34

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ὑμῖν9 of 34

to you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἦν10 of 34

It was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἀναγκαῖον11 of 34

necessary

G316

necessary; by implication, close (of kin)

πρῶτον12 of 34

first

G4412

firstly (in time, place, order, or importance)

λαληθῆναι13 of 34

have been spoken

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

τὸν14 of 34
G3588

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

λόγον15 of 34

that the word

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

τοῦ16 of 34
G3588

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

θεοῦ·17 of 34

of God

G2316

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

ἐπειδὴ18 of 34

seeing

G1894

since now, i.e., (of time) when, or (of cause) whereas

δὲ19 of 34

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀπωθεῖσθε20 of 34

from you

G683

to push off, figuratively, to reject

αὐτὸν21 of 34

it

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

καὶ22 of 34

and

G2532

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

οὐκ23 of 34

unworthy

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀξίους24 of 34
G514

deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)

κρίνετε25 of 34

judge

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

ἑαυτοὺς26 of 34

yourselves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

τῆς27 of 34
G3588

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

αἰωνίου28 of 34

of everlasting

G166

perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)

ζωῆς29 of 34

life

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

ἰδού,30 of 34

lo

G2400

used as imperative lo!

στρεφόμεθα31 of 34

we turn

G4762

to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)

εἰς32 of 34

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὰ33 of 34
G3588

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

ἔθνη34 of 34

the Gentiles

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)


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 13:46 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 13:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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