Shaking the dust off one"s feet was a graphic way that Jews illustrated separation from unbelievers (cf. Matthew 10:14; Luke 9:5; Luke 10:11). Iconium (modern Konia) stood about90 miles to the southeast of Antioch, also in Phrygian Galatia. Paul and Barnabas undoubtedly travelled the southeast branch of the Via Sebaste to arrive there. Another branch of this major road went from Antioch to Comana, about120 miles to the north. [source][source][source]
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
1Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles 6Of Sergius Paulus, and Elymas the sorcerer 13Paul preaches at Antioch that Jesus is Christ 42The Gentiles believe; 44but the Jews talked abusively against Paul, 46whereupon they turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe 50The Jews raise a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium
Greek Commentary for Acts 13:51
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them [οι δε εκτιναχαμενοι τον κονιορτον των ποδων επ αυτους] First aorist middle (indirect) participle of εκτινασσω ektinassō to shake out or off. Homer uses it for knocking out teeth. In the papyri. The middle aorist participle occurs again in Acts 18:6 and the active imperative with the dust of the feet in Mark 6:11 (Luke 10:11 has απομασσομετα apomassometha). and Matthew 10:14 (command of Jesus). It is a dramatic gesture that forbids further intercourse. “As a protest against the injustice which cast them out. The sandal was taken off and the dust shaken out as a symbolic token that the very soil of the country was defiling” (Furneaux). [source]
Unto Iconium [εις Ικονιον] About 45 miles southeast from Antioch in Pisidia, at the foot of the Taurus mountains. At various times it was reckoned also in Pisidia or Phrygia as well as Lycaonia, Phrygian in population and distinguished by Luke (Acts 14:6) from Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia. As compared with Antioch (a Roman colony) it was a native Phrygian town. When the province of Galatia was divided, Iconium became the capital of Lycaonia and eclipsed Antioch in Pisidia. Strictly speaking at this time Lystra and Derbe were cities of Lycaonia-Galatica while Iconium was in Phrygia-Galatica (all three in the Roman Province of Galatia). It was at the meeting place of several Roman roads and on the highway from east to west. It is still a large town Konieh with 30,000 population. [source]
Acts 18:6He shook out his raiment [εκτιναχαμενος τα ιματια] First aorist middle of εκτινασσω ektinassō old verb, in the N.T. only here as in Acts 13:51 (middle) and Mark 6:11; Matthew 10:15 where active voice occurs of shaking out dust also. Vivid and dramatic picture here like that in Nehemiah 5:13, “undoubtedly a very exasperating gesture” (Ramsay), but Paul was deeply stirred. Your blood be upon your own heads (Το αιμα υμων επι την κεπαλην υμων To haima humōn epi tēn kephalēn humōn). As in Ezekiel 3:18., Ezekiel 33:4,Ezekiel 33:8.; 2 Samuel 1:16. Not as a curse, but “a solemn disclaimer of responsibility” by Paul (Page) as in Acts 20:26. The Jews used this very phrase in assuming responsibility for the blood of Jesus (Matthew 27:25). Cf. Matthew 23:35. I am clean Pure from your blood. Repeats the claim made in previous sentence. Paul had done his duty. From henceforth (απο του νυν apo tou nun). Turning point reached in Corinth. He will devote himself to the Gentiles, though Jews will be converted there also. Elsewhere as in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-10) and in Rome (Acts 28:23-28) Paul will preach also to Jews. [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 13:51
First aorist middle (indirect) participle of εκτινασσω ektinassō to shake out or off. Homer uses it for knocking out teeth. In the papyri. The middle aorist participle occurs again in Acts 18:6 and the active imperative with the dust of the feet in Mark 6:11 (Luke 10:11 has απομασσομετα apomassometha). and Matthew 10:14 (command of Jesus). It is a dramatic gesture that forbids further intercourse. “As a protest against the injustice which cast them out. The sandal was taken off and the dust shaken out as a symbolic token that the very soil of the country was defiling” (Furneaux). [source]
About 45 miles southeast from Antioch in Pisidia, at the foot of the Taurus mountains. At various times it was reckoned also in Pisidia or Phrygia as well as Lycaonia, Phrygian in population and distinguished by Luke (Acts 14:6) from Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia. As compared with Antioch (a Roman colony) it was a native Phrygian town. When the province of Galatia was divided, Iconium became the capital of Lycaonia and eclipsed Antioch in Pisidia. Strictly speaking at this time Lystra and Derbe were cities of Lycaonia-Galatica while Iconium was in Phrygia-Galatica (all three in the Roman Province of Galatia). It was at the meeting place of several Roman roads and on the highway from east to west. It is still a large town Konieh with 30,000 population. [source]
See on Matthew 10:14. [source]
See on Luke 10:11. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 13:51
First aorist middle of εκτινασσω ektinassō old verb, in the N.T. only here as in Acts 13:51 (middle) and Mark 6:11; Matthew 10:15 where active voice occurs of shaking out dust also. Vivid and dramatic picture here like that in Nehemiah 5:13, “undoubtedly a very exasperating gesture” (Ramsay), but Paul was deeply stirred. Your blood be upon your own heads (Το αιμα υμων επι την κεπαλην υμων To haima humōn epi tēn kephalēn humōn). As in Ezekiel 3:18., Ezekiel 33:4, Ezekiel 33:8.; 2 Samuel 1:16. Not as a curse, but “a solemn disclaimer of responsibility” by Paul (Page) as in Acts 20:26. The Jews used this very phrase in assuming responsibility for the blood of Jesus (Matthew 27:25). Cf. Matthew 23:35. I am clean Pure from your blood. Repeats the claim made in previous sentence. Paul had done his duty. From henceforth (απο του νυν apo tou nun). Turning point reached in Corinth. He will devote himself to the Gentiles, though Jews will be converted there also. Elsewhere as in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-10) and in Rome (Acts 28:23-28) Paul will preach also to Jews. [source]