13:1 prophets and teachers Refers to distinct offices that support the ministry of the church (compare note on 1 Cor 12:28).

13:4 Seleucia A port 16 miles from Antioch.

Cyprus Barnabas grew up in Cyprus (Acts 4:36), which had a significant Gentile (non-Jewish) population (see note on 11:19).

13:5 Salamis A major commercial city on Cyprus, with a large Jewish population.

in the synagogues Saul (Paul) routinely preaches in Jewish synagogues when he arrives in a new area (vv. 14; 14:1; 17:1, 10).

John Also known as Mark (see note on 12:12). He travels with Barnabas and Saul for much of this first missionary journey.

13:6 Paphos This city was Cyprus’ political center and an important harbor (compare v. 13).

magician Both Simon (ch. 8) and Bar-Jesus are magicians. There are several significant parallels between them, which Luke (the narrator) shows.

Bar-Jesus This name means “son of Jesus.” Fitting to his name, he is an imitator who is attempting to compete with Jesus Christ. Paul calls him not a son of Jesus but a son of the devil (v. 10).

13:7 proconsul A type of governor appointed by the Roman Empire.

13:8 Elymas Another name for Bar-Jesus. See note on v. 6.

13:9 Paul Saul’s Roman name. While Paul begins to use his Roman name for the sake of spreading the gospel, Elymas (or Bar-Jesus) betrays his own heritage by going against the principles of Judaism (see Lev 19:31).

13:13 Pamphylia This region was on the southern coast of what is now Turkey.

John Also called Mark or John Mark (compare note on 12:12). The reason for his departure is not given, but it later becomes a source of contention between Barnabas and Paul (15:37–38).

13:14 Pisidian Antioch Located about 100 miles north of Perga across the Taurus Mountains. It was located in the region of Phrygia, on the border with Pisidia. It had a large Jewish population.

13:16 those who fear God Paul addresses Jews as well as non-Jewish people who worshiped Yahweh; this likely meant attending synagogue and perhaps going to the temple in Jerusalem (see 10:2 and note; vv. 44–48).

13:17 God of this people Israel Paul wants his hearers to know that his message is not something completely new, but is connected to God’s dealings with Israel throughout history.

13:20 about four hundred and fifty years This number appears to be a combination of the years Israel spent in Egypt (400 years; see 7:6 and note), the wilderness wanderings (40 years), and the conquest (10 years).

13:22 in accordance with my heart Paul here sets up the distinction between apparent physical conformity and true spiritual conformity to God’s will and purposes.

13:23 descendants The Greek word used here, sperma, not only refers to the offspring of David, but relates to the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7:12), and Yahweh’s promises to Abraham (Gen 22:18–19). By using the word in this context, Paul proclaims that God has fulfilled His promises through Jesus.

Jesus’ Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy Table

13:27 fulfilled The Jerusalem religious leaders’ ignorance of who Jesus was fulfills Scripture (Acts 3:18).

13:29 from the tree Paul does not use the typical Greek word for a cross here; instead, he refers to a tree. This alludes to Deut 21:22–23, which proclaims God’s curse against anyone who was executed in such a way (Gal 3:13). Compare Acts 5:30; 10:39.

13:31 witnesses Acts stresses the role of witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection (e.g., 2:32; 3:15; 10:40–41).

13:33 second psalm Paul quotes Psa 2:7.

my Son This title alludes to the Davidic covenant, where God states that David’s offspring will have a unique relationship with God and that this will be seen in his relationship with David’s descendants (2 Sam 7:14–15; compare Heb 1:5).

today I have fathered you Psalm 2 does not teach that God gives birth to a son—rather its language is Messianic in tone. When this language is applied to Jesus it describes His inauguration as king.

13:34 I will give you the reliable divine decrees of David Paul implies that the promises to David (see 2 Sam 7) are fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Christ. To make this point, Paul quotes from Isa 55:3, which was originally addressed to God’s people as a group.

Jesus’ Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy Table

13:35 You will not permit your Holy One to experience decay Paul quotes Psalm 16:10 from the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the ot); Peter also applied this verse to Jesus (see Acts 2:27 and note).

13:36 the purpose of God Compare 2:29–30.

13:38 justified This is a legal declaration that someone is innocent and in good standing—right before God. Paul is arguing that justification is based on the work of Christ. Human effort—even when directed at keeping the Law of Moses (as primarily seen in the laws of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy)—could never attain God’s standard.

13:46 necessary Paul acknowledges that because the Jews were chosen by Yahweh and had unique promises from Him, they had to be presented the gospel first.

13:48 designated for eternal life Luke (the narrator) could mean that the individuals whom God intended to believe did, or this could be a broad reference that, according to God’s plan, the gospel reached the Gentiles in this region (compare Eph 1:5 and note). Either way, Luke is stating that despite opposition, God’s intended purposes are accomplished.

Election

13:51 the dust from their feet Jesus commanded the disciples to shake the dust off their feet when they left any place that rejected them (Matt 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5). This signaled that the people in a location were now responsible for their own fate.