The Meaning of Acts 13:46 Explained

Acts 13:46

KJV: 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.

YLT: And speaking boldly, Paul and Barnabas said, 'To you it was necessary that first the word of God be spoken, and seeing ye do thrust it away, and do not judge yourselves worthy of the life age-during, lo, we do turn to the nations;

Darby: And Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly and said, It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken to you; but, since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the nations;

ASV: And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Acts 13:46 Mean?

Verse Meaning

As the apostles in Jerusalem had done, Paul and Barnabas responded to the opposition with bold words (cf. Acts 4:29). It was necessary for the gospel to go to the Jews before the Gentiles not only because Jewish acceptance of Jesus is a prerequisite to the messianic kingdom (cf. Acts 3:26). It was also necessary because Jesus was the Messiah whom God had promised to deliver the Jews. The gospel was good news to the Jews in a larger sense than it was to the Gentiles. Paul almost always preached the gospel to the Jews first in the towns he visited (cf. Acts 13:50-51; Acts 14:2-6; Acts 17:5; Acts 17:13-15; Acts 18:6; Acts 19:8-9; Acts 28:23-28; Romans 1:16). The Jews" rejection of the gospel led him to offer it next to the Gentiles.
"Now for the first time Dispersion Jews follow the example of their Jerusalem counterparts in rejecting Christ, and for the first time Paul publicly announces his intention of turning his back on them and concentrating on the purely Gentile mission." [1]
By rejecting Jesus these Jews were really, though not consciously, judging themselves unworthy of salvation. In irony Paul said those who rejected the gospel were really judging themselves to be unworthy of eternal life (i.e, salvation and it benefits). [2] Usually most of the Jews who heard Paul"s preaching rejected it and only a few believed, but many Gentiles accepted the gospel.

Context Summary

Acts 13:38-52 - Jews Reject, Gentiles Accept, The Gospel
The doctrine of justification by faith, so closely associated with the work of Paul, is here stated for the first time. In Jesus there is forgiveness. For those who trust in Him past sins are absolutely put away, never to be named again, never to be brought up at any future judgment day. Our record is as clear as the sand which has been swept smooth by the ocean waves. We are not only forgiven, but justified. We are treated as though we had never sinned, and are justified from all things. It is a present fact. You may not feel justified or forgiven, but if you are trusting in Jesus, you are at this moment as certainly and as fully justified as have been the saints in heaven.
Pride, as well as jealousy of the Gentiles who were crowding into the fold, stirred the Jews to antagonism, but they could not eradicate the seed which had been so profusely scattered. Large numbers believed, and as they experienced salvation in Christ, they discovered that they were in line with an eternal purpose. This is the meaning of ordained in Acts 13:48. If with such slight opportunities, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:52, should we not possess the same experience? [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 13

1  Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles
6  Of Sergius Paulus, and Elymas the sorcerer
13  Paul preaches at Antioch that Jesus is Christ
42  The Gentiles believe;
44  but the Jews talked abusively against Paul,
46  whereupon they turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe
50  The Jews raise a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium

Greek Commentary for Acts 13:46

Spake out boldly [παρρησιασαμενοι]
First aorist middle participle of παρρησιαζομαι — parrēsiazomai to use freedom in speaking, to assume boldness. Both Paul and Barnabas accepted the challenge of the rabbis. They would leave their synagogue, but not without a word of explanation. [source]
It was necessary to you first [υμιν ην αναγκαιον πρωτον]
They had done their duty and had followed the command of Jesus (Acts 1:8). They use the very language of Peter in Acts 3:26 Ye thrust it from you (απωτειστε αυτον — apōtheisthe auton). Present middle (indirect, from yourselves) indicative of απωτεω — apōtheō to push from. Vigorous verb seen already in Acts 7:27, Acts 7:39 which see. Judge yourselves unworthy Present active indicative of the common verb κρινω — krinō to judge or decide with the reflexive pronoun expressed. Literally, Do not judge yourselves worthy. By their action and their words they had taken a violent and definite stand. Lo, we turn to the Gentiles (ιδου στρεπομετα εις τα ετνη — idou strephometha eis ta ethnē). It is a crisis (ιδου — idou lo): “Lo, we turn ourselves to the Gentiles.” Probably also aoristic present, we now turn (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 864-70). Στρεπομετα — Strephometha is probably the direct middle (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 806-08) though the aorist passive εστραπην — estraphēn is so used also (Acts 7:39). It is a dramatic moment as Paul and Barnabas turn from the Jews to the Gentiles, a prophecy of the future history of Christianity. In Romans 9-11 Paul will discuss at length the rejection of Christ by the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles to be the real (the spiritual) Israel. [source]
Ye thrust it from you [απωτειστε αυτον]
Present middle (indirect, from yourselves) indicative of απωτεω — apōtheō to push from. Vigorous verb seen already in Acts 7:27, Acts 7:39 which see. [source]
Judge yourselves unworthy [ουκ αχιους κρινετε εαυτους]
Present active indicative of the common verb κρινω — krinō to judge or decide with the reflexive pronoun expressed. Literally, Do not judge yourselves worthy. By their action and their words they had taken a violent and definite stand. Lo, we turn to the Gentiles (ιδου στρεπομετα εις τα ετνη — idou strephometha eis ta ethnē). It is a crisis (ιδου — idou lo): “Lo, we turn ourselves to the Gentiles.” Probably also aoristic present, we now turn (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 864-70). Στρεπομετα — Strephometha is probably the direct middle (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 806-08) though the aorist passive εστραπην — estraphēn is so used also (Acts 7:39). It is a dramatic moment as Paul and Barnabas turn from the Jews to the Gentiles, a prophecy of the future history of Christianity. In Romans 9-11 Paul will discuss at length the rejection of Christ by the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles to be the real (the spiritual) Israel. [source]
Lo, we turn to the Gentiles [ιδου στρεπομετα εις τα ετνη]
It is a crisis Στρεπομετα — Strephometha is probably the direct middle (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 806-08) though the aorist passive εστραπην — estraphēn is so used also (Acts 7:39). It is a dramatic moment as Paul and Barnabas turn from the Jews to the Gentiles, a prophecy of the future history of Christianity. In Romans 9-11 Paul will discuss at length the rejection of Christ by the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles to be the real (the spiritual) Israel. [source]
Put [ἀπωθεῖσθε]
Not strong enough. Better, as Rev., thrust, denoting violent rejection. [source]
Lo [ἰδοὺ]
Marking a crisis. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 13:46

John 1:29 Behold [ἴδε]
The imperative in the singular number, though the company of his followers is addressed. This construction, however, is not uncommon. See Matthew 26:65; Acts 13:46. [source]
Acts 10:24 Near [anagkaious)]
Only instance in the N.T. of this sense of anagkaios from anagkē necessity, what one cannot do without, necessary (1 Corinthians 12:22), duty (Acts 13:46), or blood relations as here. The ancient Greek writers combined these two words (suggeneis kinsmen, anagkaious necessary friends) as here. It was a homogeneous group of Gentiles close to Cornelius and predisposed to hear Peter favourably. [source]
Acts 13:5 Proclaimed [κατηγγελλον]
Imperfect active of καταγγελλω — kataggellō inchoative, began to proclaim. This was Paul‘s rule of procedure, “to the Jew first” (Romans 1:16; Acts 13:46; Acts 17:2; Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19; Acts 19:8). [source]
Acts 13:44 Almost [σχεδον]
Old word, but in N.T. only here, Acts 19:26; Hebrews 9:22. Was gathered together (συνηχτη — sunēchthē). First aorist (effective) passive indicative of συναγω — sunagō old and common verb. The “whole city” could hardly all gather in the synagogue. Perhaps Paul spoke in the synagogue and Barnabas to the overflow outside (see Acts 13:46). It was an eager and earnest gathering “to hear (ακουσαι — akousai first aorist active infinitive of purpose) the word of God” and a great opportunity for Paul and Barnabas. The Codex Bezae has it “to hear Paul.” It was the new preacher (Paul) that drew the big crowd. It was a crowd such as will later hang on the words of John Wesley and George Whitfield when they preach Jesus Christ. [source]
Acts 13:44 Was gathered together [συνηχτη]
First aorist (effective) passive indicative of συναγω — sunagō old and common verb. The “whole city” could hardly all gather in the synagogue. Perhaps Paul spoke in the synagogue and Barnabas to the overflow outside (see Acts 13:46). It was an eager and earnest gathering “to hear (ακουσαι — akousai first aorist active infinitive of purpose) the word of God” and a great opportunity for Paul and Barnabas. The Codex Bezae has it “to hear Paul.” It was the new preacher (Paul) that drew the big crowd. It was a crowd such as will later hang on the words of John Wesley and George Whitfield when they preach Jesus Christ. [source]
Acts 7:27 Thrust him away [απωσατο αυτον]
First aorist middle indicative (Koiné{[28928]}š for Attic απεωσατο — apeōsato) of απωτεω — apōtheō to push away from oneself in middle voice as here, common in old Greek. Again in Acts 7:39; Acts 13:46; Romans 11:1; 1 Timothy 1:19. It is always the man who is doing the wrong who is hard to reconcile. [source]
Hebrews 8:3 Is appointed [κατισταται]
As in Hebrews 5:1. To offer Articular infinitive accusative case with εις — eis as is common while ινα προσπερηι — hina prospherēi A moral and logical necessity (from αναγκη — anagkē necessity) as seen in Acts 13:46; Philemon 1:24. This high priest also “This one also,” no word for high priest, accusative of general reference with the infinitive εχειν — echein (have). Somewhat to offer Second aorist active subjunctive of προσπερω — prospherō (Hebrews 8:3). Vulgate aliquid quod offerat. The use of the subjunctive in this relative clause is probably volitive as in Acts 21:16; Hebrews 12:28 (possibly here merely futuristic), but note ο προσπερει — ho prospherei (present indicative) in Hebrews 9:7. See Robertson, Grammar, p. 955. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 13:46 mean?

Having spoken boldly also - Paul and Barnabas said To you it was necessary first to be spoken the word - of God but since you thrust away it not worthy you judge yourselves - of eternal life behold we are turning to the Gentiles
Παρρησιασάμενοί τε Παῦλος καὶ Βαρνάβας εἶπαν Ὑμῖν ἦν ἀναγκαῖον πρῶτον λαληθῆναι τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπειδὴ ἀπωθεῖσθε αὐτὸν οὐκ ἀξίους κρίνετε ἑαυτοὺς τῆς αἰωνίου ζωῆς ἰδοὺ στρεφόμεθα εἰς τὰ ἔθνη

Παρρησιασάμενοί  Having  spoken  boldly 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: παρρησιάζομαι  
Sense: to use freedom in speaking, be free spoken.
τε  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: τέ  
Sense: not only … but also.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Παῦλος  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
Βαρνάβας  Barnabas 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Βαρναβᾶς  
Sense: the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus He was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul.
εἶπαν  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
Ὑμῖν  To  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἦν  it  was 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἀναγκαῖον  necessary 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀναγκαῖος  
Sense: necessary.
πρῶτον  first 
Parse: Adverb, Superlative
Root: πρῶτον 
Sense: first in time or place.
λαληθῆναι  to  be  spoken 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Passive
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
λόγον  word 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἐπειδὴ  but  since 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἐπειδή  
Sense: when now, since now.
ἀπωθεῖσθε  you  thrust  away 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀπωθέω  
Sense: to thrust away, push away, repel.
ἀξίους  worthy 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄξιος  
Sense: weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much.
κρίνετε  you  judge 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κρίνω  
Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
ἑαυτοὺς  yourselves 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
αἰωνίου  of  eternal 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: αἰώνιος  
Sense: without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be.
ζωῆς  life 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ζωή  
Sense: life.
ἰδοὺ  behold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἰδού  
Sense: behold, see, lo.
στρεφόμεθα  we  are  turning 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 1st Person Plural
Root: στρέφω  
Sense: to turn, turn around.
ἔθνη  Gentiles 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔθνος  
Sense: a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together.