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Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 13:47

Paul quoted the Isaiah commission because he was addressing Jews. Isaiah explained their duty. He and Barnabas were only carrying out God’s will. The servant of the Lord is the person addressed in Isaiah 49:6. Jesus Christ, the perfect Servant of the Lord, was the ultimate light to the Gentiles who would bring salvation to the end of the earth (cf. Luke 2:28-32). As Israel and Christ had been lights to the Gentiles (Genesis 46:3; Luke 2:29-32), so now were Paul and Barnabas (cf. Matthew... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:1-52

St. Paul as a Missionary1. Prophets] see on Acts 11:27. Simeon that was called Niger] Niger was a Roman cognomen. Lucius of Cyrene] doubtless one of those Cyrenians who first preached at Antioch (Acts 11:20). Manaen] the OT. form is ’Menahem.’ Which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch] Two meanings are possible. Either, (1) Menabem’s mother had been Herod’s wet-nurse; or (2) Menahem had been brought up with Herod as his fosterbrother. The tetrarch (Herod Antipas) was the son of Herod... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 13:47

(47) I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles.—The context of the quotation has to be remembered as showing that St. Paul identified the “Servant of the Lord” in Isaiah 49:6 with the person of the Christ. (See Note on Acts 4:27.) The citation. is interesting as the first example of the train of thought which led the Apostle to see in the language of the prophets, where others had found only the exaltation of Israel, the divine purpose of love towards the whole heathen world. It is the germ... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 13:1-52

St. Barnabas the Apostle (For St. Barnabas' Day) Acts 13:1-3 We keep today the memory of St. Barnabas the Apostle. These men were not only inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon them this voice of ministration, but they were solemnly consecrated to the ministry of apostleship by the outward ordination by the then rulers of the Church. I. Love for Missionary Work. These words suggest just two or three points first the beginning of missionary work among the Gentiles. These men are... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 13:1-52

Part III The Witness to the Gentiles. The Apostle to the Gentiles; his Ministry and Captivity. Chapters 13-28 CHAPTER 13 1. The Divine Choice. Barnabas and Saul separated unto the work (Acts 13:1-3 ). 2. The Beginning of the Journey and the events in Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12 ). 3. The Gospel in Galatia. Paul’s Address (Acts 13:13-41 ). 4. The Gospel rejected by the Jews (Acts 13:42-52 ). The thirteenth chapter is the beginning of the third part of this book. The second great center of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:1-52

From this time our attention is drawn particularly to the work of Saul, whose name is in this chapter changed to Paul, meaning "little," for one who is the most greatly used of God is, in his own estimation "less than the least of all saints" (Ephesians 3:8). In verse 1 there is no indication that anyone had a place superior to any other. Five prophets and teachers are mentioned as being in the Antioch assembly, and Saul is in fact listed last. Simeon's name is Jewish, but his last name,... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 13:42-52

Chapter 42 Prayer Almighty God, thou knowest what is best for us, and we want nothing that thou thyself wilt not supply. We come to thee for everything. No good thing wilt thou withhold from them that walk uprightly. By thy Holy Spirit alone can we who have found out many inventions return to the uprightness of our creation. But thy Spirit is freely and largely promised; he is not given to us in small measure, but in double portions; yea, thou hast said thou wilt open the windows of heaven,... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 13:42-52

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. (43) Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. (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... read more

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