Acts 13 Outline Summary and Meaning
Quick Summary
Acts 13 marks the beginning of Paul's missionary journeys. The church in Antioch, led by the Holy Spirit, sets apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. They travel to Cyprus, where they confront a sorcerer and the proconsul believes. In Pisidian Antioch, Paul preaches in the synagogue, tracing God's work from Israel's history through Jesus' death and resurrection, proclaiming forgiveness through Him. Many believe, but Jewish opposition arises. Paul and Barnabas declare they are turning to the Gentiles, and many Gentiles believe and rejoice. The Jews expel them from the region, but the disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Introduction
Acts 12 ended with Herod's death and the word of God continuing to spread. Acts 13 begins a new phase—the intentional sending of missionaries to carry the gospel to the Gentile world.
This chapter shifts focus from Peter to Paul (still called Saul at the beginning). The Holy Spirit directs the Antioch church to commission Barnabas and Saul, inaugurating the first of Paul's three missionary journeys. The pattern established here—preaching first to Jews in synagogues, then turning to Gentiles when rejected—will repeat throughout Acts.
Paul's sermon in Pisidian Antioch is the first fully recorded Pauline sermon in Acts. It demonstrates how he connected Israel's history to Jesus and proclaimed justification by faith. The chapter also shows both the advance of the gospel among Gentiles and the intensifying Jewish opposition to the message.
Outline and Section Summary
Acts 13:1–12 Paul and Barnabas Sent Off
In the church at Antioch there are prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. While they are worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit says, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." After fasting and praying, they place their hands on them and send them off.
Sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, they go to Seleucia and sail to Cyprus. They proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues, with John Mark assisting them. They travel through the island until they come to Paphos, where they meet a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, an attendant of the proconsul Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sends for Barnabas and Saul because he wants to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer opposes them and tries to turn the proconsul from the faith.
Saul, also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looks straight at Elymas and declares he is full of deceit and enemy of righteousness, perverting the right ways of the Lord. Paul announces that the Lord's hand is against him and he will be blind. Immediately mist and darkness come over him, and he gropes about seeking someone to lead him. When the proconsul sees what has happened, he believes, amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
This section shows the Holy Spirit's direct role in missionary work and establishes the pattern of opposition from false teachers. Paul's confrontation with Elymas demonstrates spiritual authority and results in the proconsul's conversion.
Read the full article here: Acts 13:1–12 Paul and Barnabas Sent Off
Acts 13:13–41 Paul's Sermon in Pisidian Antioch
From Paphos, Paul and his companions sail to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem. They travel to Pisidian Antioch and on the Sabbath enter the synagogue. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders invite them to speak.
Paul stands up and addresses the congregation, recounting Israel's history: God chose their ancestors, made them prosper in Egypt, led them out, endured them in the wilderness for forty years, and gave them the land. He provided judges, then Saul as king, and finally David, from whose descendants God brought Jesus as Savior to Israel. Paul explains that John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. Though the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus and condemned Him, they fulfilled the prophets' words by having Him executed. God raised Jesus from the dead, and He appeared to His followers for many days.
Paul proclaims that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and everyone who believes is set free from everything the law of Moses could not set them free from. He warns them with words from the prophets not to be scoffers who perish because they refuse to believe what God is doing.
This section presents Paul's message to Jews: Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel's history and prophets. Justification comes through faith in Jesus, not through the law. The sermon mirrors Peter's approach but shows Paul's distinct style.
Read the full article here: Acts 13:13–41 Paul's Sermon in Pisidian Antioch
Acts 13:42–52 The Gospel Turns to the Gentiles
As Paul and Barnabas are leaving the synagogue, the people invite them to speak further about these things the next Sabbath. Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism follow Paul and Barnabas, who urge them to continue in the grace of God.
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathers to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews see the crowds, they are filled with jealousy and talk abusively against what Paul is saying. Paul and Barnabas answer boldly that it was necessary to speak the word of God to them first. Since they reject it and do not consider themselves worthy of eternal life, they are now turning to the Gentiles. They quote Isaiah: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
When the Gentiles hear this, they are glad and honor the word of the Lord. All who are appointed for eternal life believe, and the word of the Lord spreads through the whole region. But the Jewish leaders incite the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stir up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expel them from their region. Paul and Barnabas shake the dust off their feet in protest and go to Iconium. The disciples are filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
This section establishes the pattern of Paul's ministry: preach to Jews first, then turn to Gentiles when rejected. Despite persecution and expulsion, the gospel spreads, believers rejoice, and the Spirit fills them.
Read the full article here: Acts 13:42–52 The Gospel Turns to the Gentiles
Major Themes in Acts 13
The Holy Spirit directs mission
The Spirit speaks to the Antioch church, sets apart Barnabas and Saul, and sends them out. Missionary work is initiated and directed by God, not human planning alone (Acts 13:2, 4).
Jesus as fulfillment of Israel's story
Paul's sermon traces God's work from the patriarchs through David to Jesus. Jesus is presented as the Savior God promised to Israel, the fulfillment of prophecy (Acts 13:23, 32–37).
Justification by faith, not law
Paul proclaims that through Jesus, everyone who believes is justified from everything the law could not justify. Salvation is by grace through faith (Acts 13:38–39).
Opposition from those who reject the gospel
Both Elymas the sorcerer and the Jews in Pisidian Antioch oppose the message. Those who reject the gospel often actively work against it (Acts 13:8, 45, 50).
The gospel turns to the Gentiles
When Jews reject the message, Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. This becomes the pattern for Paul's ministry throughout Acts (Acts 13:46–47).
Joy despite persecution
Though expelled from the region, the disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Persecution does not diminish the joy of those who believe (Acts 13:52).
Meaning for Today
Acts 13 challenges the church to be led by the Holy Spirit in mission. The Antioch church was worshiping and fasting when the Spirit spoke. Churches today should seek the Spirit's direction for their ministry and mission, not merely follow programs or trends.
Paul's sermon demonstrates the importance of understanding how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament. Effective gospel witness connects Jesus to God's larger story of redemption. Believers need to know Scripture well enough to show how it points to Christ.
The chapter confronts the reality that gospel preaching will face opposition. Elymas opposed, the Jews contradicted, and persecution arose. Modern Christians should expect resistance, not be surprised by it. Yet the disciples' joy despite persecution shows that the gospel produces joy independent of circumstances.
Acts 13 also affirms that salvation is by faith in Jesus, not by keeping the law or performing religious works. Paul's message to the synagogue was clear: the law could not justify, but faith in Jesus does. This remains the central message of the gospel.
Finally, the turning to the Gentiles reminds the church of its mission to all nations. When some reject the gospel, believers should not retreat but continue proclaiming it to others. God has made the gospel a light for the Gentiles, and the church must carry it to the ends of the earth.
FAQ
What is Acts 13 about?
Acts 13 describes the Holy Spirit setting apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work, their journey to Cyprus and Pisidian Antioch, Paul's sermon in the synagogue, and the turn to the Gentiles when Jews reject the message (Acts 13:1–52).
Why does Saul become Paul?
Acts 13:9 says "Saul, who was also called Paul." Saul was his Hebrew name; Paul was his Roman name. Luke begins using "Paul" as he ministers primarily to Gentiles in the Roman world.
What happened to John Mark?
John Mark left Paul and Barnabas at Perga and returned to Jerusalem. The reason is not stated, but this later causes a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:13, 15:37–39).
What was Paul's main message in Pisidian Antioch?
Paul traced Israel's history from the patriarchs to David, showing that Jesus is the promised Savior. He proclaimed that through Jesus comes forgiveness and justification that the law could not provide (Acts 13:16–41).
Why did the Jews reject Paul's message?
They were filled with jealousy when they saw the crowds and opposed what Paul was saying. Their rejection was not intellectual but rooted in jealousy and hardness of heart (Acts 13:45).
What does "appointed for eternal life" mean?
Those who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48). This phrase indicates God's sovereign role in salvation—He appoints, calls, and brings people to faith.
Why did Paul shake the dust off his feet?
This was a symbolic act of protest and judgment, showing that the town had rejected God's message and would bear responsibility for it. Jesus instructed His disciples to do this when people rejected them (Acts 13:51, Matthew 10:14).
How could the disciples be joyful after being expelled?
They were filled with the Holy Spirit, whose presence produces joy regardless of circumstances. Their joy was rooted in the gospel, not in comfort or acceptance (Acts 13:52).
See Also
Acts 13:1–12 Paul and Barnabas Sent Off
