Barnabas and Saul sent
Acts 13:1–12FocusThe Spirit directs the mission
Connection to the wholeThe Antioch church sends the workers, whose witness in Cyprus includes confrontation with Elymas and the governor's response.
interpretation Acts 13:41
KJVBehold, 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.
Read it in context
Paul's Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia
Start reading at Acts 13:16 (Acts 13:16 to Acts 13:41).
The verse is the concluding warning within Paul's sermon, which begins at Acts 13:16.
- 13:16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
- 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
- 13:18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
- 13:19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
- 13:20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
- 13:21 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.
- 13:22 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.
- 13:23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
- 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
- 13:25 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.
- 13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
- 13:27 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.
- 13:28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
- 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
- 13:30 But God raised him from the dead:
- 13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
- 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
- 13:33 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.
- 13:34 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.
- 13:35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
- 13:36 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:
- 13:37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
- 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
- 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
- 13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
- 13:41 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 13:1–13:52): Antioch's prophets and teachers send Barnabas and Saul. The missionaries encounter Sergius Paulus and Elymas on Cyprus, then address synagogue hearers and other townspeople in Pisidian Antioch. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main theme is a solemn warning from Paul, quoting Habakkuk 1:5, to his Jewish audience in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. He warns them against despising God's work of salvation through Jesus Christ, lest they "wonder, and perish" in their unbelief.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing that He is performing a significant work in their days—the resurrection of Jesus and the offer of salvation through Him—which many will refuse to believe, despite it being declared to them. This unbelief will lead to their perishing.
- What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history, specifically a direct quotation from an Old Testament prophet (Habakkuk 1:5) embedded within a sermon delivered by Paul.
When
- When was it written? The book of Acts was written approximately A.D. 62 to 64.
- When does the event take place? The event described, Paul's sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, occurred during Paul's first missionary journey, which is generally dated to around A.D. 46-48. The verse itself refers to a "work in your days."
Where
- Where did it happen? This event took place in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where Paul and Barnabas were preaching.
- Where was the author located? The author, Luke, is traditionally believed to have been located in Rome when he wrote Acts.
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Paul's Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:16 to Acts 13:41). Start reading at Acts 13:16. The verse is the concluding warning within Paul's sermon, which begins at Acts 13:16.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse serves as the climactic warning at the end of Paul's sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. Having presented Jesus as the promised Messiah, resurrected from the dead, and the source of forgiveness and justification, Paul concludes with a dire warning from the prophets against rejecting this divine work. It sets the stage for the subsequent rejection by many Jews and the turning of Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? The "work" that God is performing, which many will not believe, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the salvation offered through Him. Paul's entire sermon, leading up to this warning, centers on Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises and the means of forgiveness and justification. To despise this work is to despise Christ and His saving power. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? This passage serves as a timeless warning against unbelief and despising God's work of salvation. Believers today are called to embrace and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, recognizing the severe consequences for those who reject it. It underscores the importance of responding to God's truth with faith rather than skepticism or scorn. interpretation
Cited: Acts 13:41, Habakkuk 1:5, Acts 13:16, Acts 13:23, Acts 13:30, Acts 13:38-39
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- ye despisers Prov 1:24-32 Prov 5:12 Isa 5:24 Isa 28:14-22 Luke 16:14 Luke 23:35 Heb 10:28-30
- for Acts 13:47 Acts 3:23 Acts 6:14 Acts 22:21 Isa 65:15 Dan 9:26-27 Matt 8:10-11 Matt 21:41-44
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 13
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
FocusPromise fulfilled in Jesus
Connection to the wholePaul traces Israel's history toward Jesus and proclaims His resurrection, forgiveness, and justification, ending with a warning against rejecting the message.
interpretation Responses and opposition
Acts 13:42–52FocusThe word reaches Gentiles
Connection to the wholeInterest, jealousy, and persecution lead to a declared turn toward Gentile hearers in that city while the disciples continue in joy and the Holy Ghost.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The promised power and the Jerusalem church
Acts 1:1–2:47FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation Witness and opposition in Jerusalem
Acts 3:1–7:60FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation The witness moves outward
Acts 8:1–12:25FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation Further journeys and growing churches
Acts 15:36–21:16FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation Arrest, hearings, and Rome
Acts 21:17–28:31FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.