Acts Chapter 13
Showing all 52 verses for Acts Chapter 13.
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"Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. "
"In the church at Antioch there was a team of prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (nicknamed Niger), Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen (who had grown up alongside Herod the tetrarch), and Saul."
Look at the company you keep and lead alongside - variety of background and story is not a weakness to manage but a strength to welcome. Don't let your past, or anyone else's, disqualify a person from being useful and trusted today.
"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. "
"While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have called them to do.'"
Big decisions are clearer when you slow down, quiet the noise, and genuinely listen rather than rush to act. Community and honest reflection - not solo hustle - are often where real direction is found.
"And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. "
"After more fasting and prayer, they placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them off."
When you support someone's calling or new venture, say so out loud and visibly - a blessing spoken and felt strengthens a person heading into something hard or uncertain. Don't let your support for others stay silent.
"So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. "
"Sent out by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul travelled down to Seleucia, and from there sailed to the island of Cyprus."
Purposeful action rarely feels dramatic in the moment - it can look like an ordinary journey, a boat ride, a first step. Trust that showing up and moving forward, even in small practical ways, is how big change actually begins.
"And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. "
"When they reached Salamis, they preached God's message in the Jewish synagogues there. John (Mark) was travelling with them as their assistant."
Start where you have common ground and trust already exists before venturing further - it's not a lack of ambition, it's wisdom, honouring what came before while building something new.
"And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: "
"They travelled across the whole island as far as Paphos, where they encountered a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus."
Wherever genuine truth and freedom are being offered, expect to meet people invested in keeping others confused or dependent. Recognising manipulation for what it is - and staying calm rather than intimidated - is part of walking this path.
"Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. "
"Bar-Jesus was attached to the governor, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who invited Barnabas and Saul to come and wanted to hear God's message."
Genuine curiosity and an open mind are strengths, not weaknesses - being willing to actually listen to something before dismissing it is how real understanding happens. Don't let pride close a door that honest inquiry could open.
"But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. "
"But Elymas the sorcerer (that's what his name means) opposed them, trying to stop the governor from believing."
When you notice someone fighting hard against an idea, ask what they stand to lose - fear of losing status, control or income often masquerades as principled objection. Stay clear-eyed about your own motives too.
"Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, "
"Then Saul - who was also called Paul - filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas."
Growth sometimes means stepping more fully into a new identity or role without abandoning who you were - your history shapes you but doesn't have to define every stage of your story going forward.
"And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? "
"Paul said, 'You are full of every kind of deceit and trickery, you son of the devil, enemy of everything good - will you never stop twisting the Lord's straight paths?'"
Kindness doesn't mean never calling out manipulation or dishonesty, especially when it's blocking someone else's genuine search for truth. Speak plainly when something is genuinely wrong, without needing to be cruel about it.
"And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. "
"'And now, watch - the Lord's hand is against you, and you will be blind, unable to see the sun for a while.' Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he had to grope around looking for someone to lead him by the hand."
Sometimes the consequences of our own actions catch up with us in ways that force a pause - and that pause, however uncomfortable, can be the very thing that opens our eyes rather than closing them for good. Even hard consequences can be an invitation to change.
"Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. "
"When the governor saw what had happened, he believed, amazed at the teaching about the Lord."
Be struck by something remarkable if you must, but let your commitment ultimately rest on substance you've thought through, not just spectacle. Genuine change comes from understanding, not just being impressed.
"Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. "
"Paul and his companions sailed on from Paphos and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them and went back to Jerusalem."
Not everyone will stay the course with you, and that's not always a moral failure on their part - people have real limits, fears, and reasons. How you handle someone's departure, later, says as much about your character as the departure itself.
"But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. "
"From Perga they travelled on to Antioch in Pisidia, and on the Sabbath they went into the synagogue and sat down."
Meet people where they already are, in the settings and communities they already trust, rather than expecting them to come looking for something new on your terms.
"And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. "
"After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: 'Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, please speak.'"
Be ready to speak up with something meaningful when the door is genuinely opened to you - preparation and readiness matter, because you rarely know exactly when that moment will come.
"Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. "
"Paul stood up, motioned with his hand for quiet, and said, 'Men of Israel, and you Gentiles who respect God, listen.'"
Notice who's in the room, including the people on the edges who might feel like outsiders, and make sure your words include them too. Genuine inclusion starts with how you address people, not as an afterthought.
"The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"'The God of Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their time as foreigners in Egypt, and led them out with mighty power.'"
When introducing a new idea to someone, start from what you both already agree on - shared ground builds trust and makes people more willing to hear you out on what comes next.
"And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. "
"'And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.'"
Patience with people who are slow to learn or repeatedly stumble is not weakness - it's often what real growth requires. Extend that same patience to yourself when your own progress feels painfully slow.
"And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. "
"'And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave their land to Israel as an inheritance.'"
Long-term promises can take generations to come good, and don't always look like sudden success - sometimes fulfilment is the result of decades, even centuries, of a much bigger story unfolding.
"And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. "
"'All this took about four hundred and fifty years. After that, God gave them judges, up until the prophet Samuel.'"
Understanding where you've come from - the long arc, not just recent events - helps make sense of where you are now and where things are heading.
"And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. "
"'Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years.'"
Having a title, position or early promise doesn't guarantee a good ending - what matters is the character shown along the way, not just the starting point.
"And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. "
"'After removing Saul, God raised up David to be their king, and testified about him, "I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do everything I want."'"
You don't need a flawless record to be someone whose heart is genuinely in the right place - sincerity and a real desire to do right count for far more than an unblemished history.
"Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: "
"'From this man's descendants, exactly as he promised, God has brought Israel a saviour, Jesus.'"
The best kind of help doesn't appear from nowhere - it grows out of long-kept promises and real relationship. Trust built over time is what makes deliverance, when it comes, mean something.
"When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. "
"'Before Jesus came, John had already been preaching a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.'"
Real change often needs preparation - an honest reckoning with where you're at - before a genuinely new direction can take hold. Don't skip the groundwork.
"And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. "
"'As John was finishing his work, he said, "Who do you think I am? I am not him. But someone is coming after me whose sandals I'm not even worthy to untie."'"
True greatness is often shown by how readily someone points away from themselves towards what - or who - actually deserves the credit. Watch for that quality in others, and practise it yourself.
"Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. "
"'Brothers, children of Abraham's family, and you who revere God among us - this message of salvation has been sent to you.'"
Don't let something valuable feel like it's only for other people, other times, or someone more 'qualified' - genuine good news is meant for you specifically, right where you are.
"For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. "
"'The people of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognise him, and in condemning him they actually fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.'"
Familiarity with something doesn't guarantee understanding it - it's possible to know words by heart and still completely miss their meaning. Stay humble about how well you really understand what you think you know.
"And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. "
"'Even though they found no legal reason to have him executed, they still asked Pilate to have him killed.'"
Recognising injustice honestly - even injustice from long ago, even when uncomfortable - is part of facing the truth squarely rather than looking away from it.
"And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. "
"'When they had carried out everything written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.'"
Even the darkest, most painful moments can turn out to have purpose and meaning within a much larger story than you can see at the time.
"But God raised him from the dead: "
"'But God raised him from the dead.'"
Even when a situation looks completely final and hopeless, don't assume the story is over - some of the most significant turning points come exactly where things seemed finished.
"And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. "
"'For many days afterwards he appeared to those who had travelled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people.'"
The people around you who have genuinely witnessed something real in your life - your growth, your change - are often the best evidence for others of what's possible. Let your life speak, through those who know you.
"And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, "
"'And we are here announcing the good news to you: the promise that was made to our ancestors.'"
Good news is meant to be shared, not hoarded - if something has genuinely helped or freed you, passing it on is part of what makes it complete.
"God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. "
"'God has fulfilled this promise for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus - just as it's written in the second Psalm: "You are my Son; today I have become your Father."'"
Being fully affirmed and vindicated, even after real struggle or rejection, is possible - don't assume that setbacks or opposition have the final word on who you are.
"And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. "
"'God raised him from the dead, never to decay again, as he said: "I will give you the sure, faithful blessings promised to David."'"
Look for what's genuinely lasting and trustworthy to build your life on, rather than things that fade or decay - certain foundations are worth the search.
"Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not thine Holy One to see corruption. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"'That is why he also says in another psalm: "You will not let your Holy One see decay."'"
When making a case for something important, it helps to bring more than one piece of solid evidence - depth and consistency build genuine, well-founded trust.
"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: "
"'Now David, after serving God's purpose in his own generation, died, was buried with his ancestors, and his body decayed.'"
A life well spent 'serving its own generation' is itself worth honouring - you don't need to live forever to have lived a life that mattered and served a real purpose.
"But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. "
"'But the one God raised up did not experience decay.'"
Sometimes the clearest way to make a point is simple contrast - laying two things side by side and letting the difference speak for itself.
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: "
"'So, brothers, understand this: through this man, the forgiveness of sins is being announced to you.'"
You are not permanently defined by your worst moments or mistakes - genuine forgiveness and a real fresh start are available, and they're worth actually reaching for rather than assuming they're out of reach.
"And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. "
"'And through him, everyone who believes is set right with God from everything the law of Moses could never free you from.'"
You cannot rule-follow or perform your way into feeling truly free or truly good enough - real freedom comes through trust and grace, not through relentless self-improvement or endless striving.
"Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; "
"'So be careful that what the prophets warned about doesn't happen to you.'"
Being offered something valuable also means the responsibility of actually receiving it - don't let indifference or distraction cause you to miss something that could genuinely change your life.
"Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. "
"'"Look, you scoffers - be amazed and then die, because I am doing something in your days that you will not believe even when someone explains it to you."'"
There's a real difference between healthy questioning and hardened cynicism that refuses to be moved by anything - keep enough openness in your mind that you could still be surprised by truth.
"And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. "
"As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to speak on these same things the next Sabbath."
A good response today doesn't guarantee a good response tomorrow - stay grounded in what's true and worth saying, regardless of how quickly a crowd's mood can shift.
"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. "
"After the meeting broke up, many Jews and devout converts followed Paul and Barnabas, who urged them to keep on in God's grace."
A single powerful moment or conversation isn't enough on its own - real change needs ongoing encouragement and follow-through, not just an initial spark.
"And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. "
"The following Sabbath, almost the entire city gathered to hear God's message."
Genuine, honest word-of-mouth is powerful - when something is real and valuable, people naturally want to tell others about it, without needing to be forced or manufactured.
"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. "
"But when the Jewish leaders saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting and insulting what Paul was saying."
Jealousy can twist honest disagreement into something much uglier - insults and contradiction rather than genuine engagement. Watch your own heart for that same reaction when someone else gets attention or success you wanted for yourself.
"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. "
"Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly: 'It was necessary that God's message be given to you first. But since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we're now turning to the Gentiles.'"
When someone rejects what you have to offer, that doesn't mean the offer was worthless - it may simply be time to turn towards the people who are actually ready and willing to receive it.
"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. "
"'For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth."'"
What looks like a setback or a change of direction can actually be part of a much bigger, better plan than you originally imagined - stay open to your purpose expanding rather than shrinking.
"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. "
"When the Gentiles heard this, they were thrilled and praised God's message, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed."
Genuine welcome and inclusion produces real joy - if you've ever felt like an outsider looking in, know that the door isn't closed, and true belonging is worth celebrating when you find it.
"And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. "
"And the Lord's message spread throughout the whole region."
Small, faithful beginnings can have an impact that extends far beyond what you'll ever personally witness or measure - don't underestimate the ripple effects of doing right in front of you.
"But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. "
"But the Jewish leaders stirred up the influential religious women and the leading men of the city, and started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, driving them out of their region."
Doing what's right doesn't guarantee a comfortable reception - sometimes the very people with influence and status will use it against you. Courage means continuing anyway, without needing everyone's approval.
"But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. "
"So they shook the dust off their feet as a protest against them, and went on to Iconium."
You can walk away from rejection or hostility without carrying resentment - acknowledge it honestly, let it go, and keep moving towards what's next rather than getting stuck.
"And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. "
"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."
Real, lasting joy doesn't depend on everything going smoothly or on people you rely on staying close by - it can run deeper than circumstances, rooted in something that persecution and setbacks can't take away.