New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Acts 13
1
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. Among them were Barnabas, Simeon, and Lucius from Cyrene. Simeon was also called Niger. Another was Manaen. He had been brought up with Herod, the ruler of Galilee. Saul was among them too.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Acts 4:36
Acts 15:35
Acts 13:9
Galatians 2:9
Luke 3:1
Acts 11:30
Acts 19:6
Prophecy
Acts 15:32
Ephesians 4:11
Acts 21:9
2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke. "Set apart Barnabas and Saul for me," he said. "I have appointed them to do special work."
Reference
Parallel theme
Galatians 1:15
Romans 1:1
2 Timothy 1:11
Acts 22:21
Acts 14:26
1 Timothy 2:7
References Lord
Acts 9:15
Daniel 9:3
Colossians 4:17
Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:11
3
The prophets and teachers fasted and prayed. They placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul. Then they sent them off.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 13:2
1 Timothy 4:14
2 Timothy 2:2
Acts 14:26
Numbers 27:23
3 John 1:8
Acts 15:40
Romans 10:15
Prayer
Acts 6:6
Acts 14:23
4
Barnabas and Saul were sent on their way by the Holy Spirit. They went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.
Reference
📍 Seleucia
5
They arrived at Salamis. There they preached God's word in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
Reference
📍 Salamis
Parallel theme
Acts 13:14
Acts 18:4
Acts 17:17
Acts 14:1
References God
Acts 9:20
Acts 19:8
References John
Acts 12:12
Word
Acts 13:46
6
They traveled all across the island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jew named Bar-Jesus. He was an evil magician and a false prophet.
Reference
📍 Paphos
People
Parallel theme
Mark 10:46
Exodus 22:18
2 Corinthians 11:13
Prophecy
Matthew 7:15
1 John 4:1
Zechariah 13:3
Matthew 24:24
References Jesus
Matthew 16:17
7
He was an attendant of Sergius Paulus, the governor. Paulus was a man of understanding. He sent for Barnabas and Saul. He wanted to hear God's word.
Reference
People
8
But Elymas, the evil magician, opposed them. The name Elymas means "magician." He tried to keep the governor from becoming a believer.
Reference
9
Saul was also known as Paul. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked straight at Elymas. He said to him,
Reference
10
"You are a child of the devil! You are an enemy of everything that is right! You cheat people. You use all kinds of tricks. Won't you ever stop twisting the right ways of the Lord?
Reference
Evil
John 8:44
Matthew 13:38
1 John 3:8
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 11:3
Luke 11:52
Galatians 1:7
Matthew 3:7
Matthew 23:13
Righteousness
Hosea 14:9
11
Now the Lord's hand is against you. You are going to go blind. You won't be able to see the light of the sun for a while." Right away mist and darkness came over him. He tried to feel his way around. He wanted to find someone to lead him by the hand.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 32:4
Hebrews 10:31
Job 19:21
John 9:39
References Lord
Exodus 9:3
1 Samuel 5:11
12
When the governor saw what had happened, he believed. He was amazed at what Paul was teaching about the Lord.
Reference
13
From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. There John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
Reference
📍 Locations
14
From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they entered the synagogue and sat down.
Reference
📍 Locations
Parallel theme
Acts 16:13
Acts 17:2
Acts 14:19
Acts 13:5
Acts 18:4
Acts 13:44
Acts 9:20
Acts 19:8
Acts 13:42
15
The Law and the Prophets were read aloud. Then the synagogue rulers sent word to Paul and his companions. They said, "Brothers, do you have a message of hope for the people? If you do, please speak."
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 15:21
Mark 5:22
Acts 22:1
Acts 18:17
Romans 12:8
Prophecy
Acts 13:27
Word
Hebrews 13:22
16
Paul stood up and motioned with his hand. Then he said, "Men of Israel, and you non-Jews who worship God, listen to me!
Reference
17
The God of Israel chose our people who lived long ago. He blessed them greatly while they were in Egypt. With his mighty power he led them out of that country.
19
He destroyed seven nations in Canaan. Then he gave the land to his people as their rightful share.
Reference
20
All of this took about 450 years. "After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.
Reference
21
Then the people asked for a king. He gave them Saul, son of Kish. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. He ruled for 40 years.
Reference
22
God removed him and made David their king. Here is God's witness about him. 'David, son of Jesse, is a man dear to my heart,' he said. 'He will do everything I want him to do.'
Reference
Kingdom
1 Samuel 16:1
1 Samuel 15:26
1 Samuel 15:28
1 Samuel 15:23
2 Samuel 2:4
Parallel theme
Acts 7:46
References David
1 Kings 15:5
1 Samuel 16:13
1 Kings 15:3
2 Samuel 7:8
23
"From this man's family line God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus. This is what he had promised.
Reference
Covenant
Acts 13:32
Parallel theme
Psalm 132:11
2 Samuel 7:12
References Jesus
Matthew 1:1
Revelation 22:16
Salvation
Jude 1:25
24
Before Jesus came, John preached that we should turn away from our sins and be baptized. He preached this to all Israel.
Reference
Baptism
Acts 1:22
25
John was coming to the end of his work. 'Who do you think I am?' he said. 'I am not the one you are looking for. No, he is coming after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.'
Reference
26
"Listen, brothers, you children of Abraham! Listen, you non-Jews who worship God! This message of salvation has been sent to us.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 10:35
References God
Acts 13:43
Salvation
Isaiah 46:13
Luke 1:77
Luke 1:69
Acts 4:12
Ephesians 1:13
Word
Acts 5:20
Acts 13:46
Colossians 1:5
27
The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus. By finding him guilty, they made the prophets' words come true. These are read every Sabbath day.
Reference
28
The people and their rulers had no reason at all for sentencing Jesus to death. But they asked Pilate to have him killed.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 19:4
29
They did everything that had been written about Jesus. Then they took him down from the cross. They laid him in a tomb.
Reference
31
For many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Now they are his witnesses to our people.
Reference
33
he has done for us, their children. He has raised up Jesus. This is what is written in the second Psalm. It says, " 'You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.' --(Psalm 2:7)
Reference
34
God raised Jesus from the dead. He will never rot in the grave. This is what is written in Scripture. It says, " 'Holy and sure blessings were promised to David. I will give them to you.' --(Isaiah 55:3)
Reference
35
In another place it says, " 'You will not let your Holy One rot away.' --(Psalm 16:10)
Reference
Holy
Psalm 16:10
36
"David carried out God's purpose while he lived. Then he died. He was buried with his people. His body rotted away.
Reference
38
"My brothers, here is what I want you to know. I announce to you that your sins can be forgiven because of what Jesus has done.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 28:28
Hebrews 9:22
Sin
Luke 24:47
Acts 5:31
1 John 2:12
Acts 2:38
Colossians 1:14
Acts 10:43
Ephesians 1:7
John 1:29
39
Through him everyone who believes is made right with God. Moses' law could not make you right in God's eyes.
Reference
Faith
Romans 10:4
Galatians 2:16
Romans 10:10
Parallel theme
Romans 8:1
Hebrews 10:11
Word
Romans 8:3
Hebrews 7:19
Romans 4:15
Romans 3:19
John 1:17
40
Be careful! Don't let what the prophets spoke about happen to you. They said,
Reference
Parallel theme
Malachi 4:1
Habakkuk 1:5
Malachi 3:2
Hebrews 12:25
Hebrews 3:12
Hebrews 2:3
Isaiah 29:14
41
" 'Look, you who make fun of the truth! Wonder and die! I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe. You wouldn't believe it even if someone told you.' " --(Habakkuk 1:5)
Reference
42
Paul and Barnabas started to leave the synagogue. The people invited them to say more about these things on the next Sabbath day.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 28:28
43
The people were told they could leave the service. Many Jews followed Paul and Barnabas. Many non-Jews who faithfully worshiped the God of the Jews did the same. Paul and Barnabas talked with them. They tried to get them to keep living in God's grace.
Reference
Grace
Acts 11:23
Hebrews 13:9
Hebrews 12:15
Acts 14:3
Kingdom
Acts 14:22
Acts 28:23
Parallel theme
Acts 2:10
Acts 17:17
References God
2 John 1:9
References Paul
Acts 13:50
44
On the next Sabbath day, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45
When the Jews saw the crowds, they became very jealous. They said evil things against what Paul was saying.
Reference
46
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly. "We had to speak God's word to you first," they said. "But you don't accept it. You don't think you are good enough for eternal life. So now we are turning to those who aren't Jews.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 2:10
Acts 22:21
John 1:11
References God
Acts 28:28
Acts 3:26
Acts 26:20
Matthew 21:43
Romans 1:16
Isaiah 55:5
Word
Acts 13:26
47
This is what the Lord has commanded us to do. He said, " 'I have made you a light for those who aren't Jews. You will bring salvation to the whole earth.' " --(Isaiah 49:6)
Reference
Light
Isaiah 42:6
Luke 2:32
Isaiah 60:3
Isaiah 42:1
Parallel theme
Hosea 1:10
Acts 1:8
Matthew 28:19
References Lord
Amos 9:12
Salvation
Isaiah 49:6
Isaiah 45:22
48
When the non-Jews heard this, they were glad. They honored the word of the Lord. All who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Reference
50
But the Jews stirred up the important women who worshiped God. They also stirred up the men who were leaders in the city. They tried to get them to attack Paul and Barnabas. They threw them out of that area.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 14:2
Acts 21:27
2 Timothy 3:11
Isaiah 66:5
Acts 8:1
Acts 6:12
References Paul
Acts 14:19
Acts 17:13
Acts 13:45
Acts 13:43
51
Paul and Barnabas didn't like this. So they shook the dust from their feet. They went on to Iconium.
Reference
📍 Iconium
52
The believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Reference
Holy
Romans 15:13
1 Thessalonians 1:6
Acts 4:31
Acts 2:4
Romans 14:17
Parallel theme
Matthew 5:12
Romans 5:3
2 Corinthians 8:2
James 1:2
Spirit
Galatians 5:22
Chapter Summary
Acts 13 marks a major change in the story of the early church, because Barnabas and Saul are officially sent out by the Holy Spirit from Antioch and begin a missionary journey that carries the Gospel into new regions and increasingly toward Gentile communities.
The chapter begins with the church in Antioch, where prophets and teachers worship and fast together until the Holy Spirit directs the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a special mission.
After prayer and fasting, the church sends them out, and they travel first to Cyprus, where they preach in Jewish synagogues before reaching Paphos and meeting the Roman governor Sergius Paulus.
A Jewish magician named Elymas tries to prevent the governor from believing, but Paul confronts him, and Elymas becomes temporarily blind, after which Sergius Paulus believes the Gospel.
The missionaries then travel to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul gives one of the most important sermons in Acts, explaining Israel's history from the time of the Exodus through David and showing how God's promises ultimately point toward Jesus.
Paul explains that Jesus came from David's family, that John the Baptist prepared people for Him, and that the leaders in Jerusalem rejected Jesus and had Him crucified even though He had done nothing deserving death.
Paul then announces the central message that God raised Jesus from the dead, and he explains that through Jesus people can receive forgiveness and be made right with God in a way that the Law of Moses could not fully accomplish.
Many people respond positively, and when almost the entire city gathers the following Sabbath to hear God's word, some Jewish leaders become jealous and begin opposing Paul and Barnabas.
Paul and Barnabas then explain that the message was presented to the Jewish people first, but because some reject it, they will now turn more openly toward the Gentiles, fulfilling God's purpose that salvation should reach the ends of the earth.
The Gentiles respond with great joy, and the word of the Lord spreads throughout the region, but influential people eventually organize opposition against the missionaries and force them to leave.
Even after being rejected and persecuted, the disciples remain filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, showing that persecution cannot destroy the faith of those who have accepted the Gospel.
The central message of Acts 13 is that the Gospel is God's message of salvation for all nations, and the Holy Spirit actively directs the church to take that message beyond its original Jewish setting.
The chapter also shows the importance of Paul's preaching, because he explains Christianity not as a completely new religion disconnected from Israel's history, but as the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus.
Another important theme is that the Gospel produces different responses: some people believe and rejoice, some become curious and want to hear more, while others become jealous and hostile, yet none of these reactions can prevent God's message from spreading.
Acts 13 therefore begins a new stage in Christian history, as Paul and Barnabas move from a local church in Antioch into an international missionary movement, laying the foundation for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman world.
The chapter begins with the church in Antioch, where prophets and teachers worship and fast together until the Holy Spirit directs the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a special mission.
After prayer and fasting, the church sends them out, and they travel first to Cyprus, where they preach in Jewish synagogues before reaching Paphos and meeting the Roman governor Sergius Paulus.
A Jewish magician named Elymas tries to prevent the governor from believing, but Paul confronts him, and Elymas becomes temporarily blind, after which Sergius Paulus believes the Gospel.
The missionaries then travel to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul gives one of the most important sermons in Acts, explaining Israel's history from the time of the Exodus through David and showing how God's promises ultimately point toward Jesus.
Paul explains that Jesus came from David's family, that John the Baptist prepared people for Him, and that the leaders in Jerusalem rejected Jesus and had Him crucified even though He had done nothing deserving death.
Paul then announces the central message that God raised Jesus from the dead, and he explains that through Jesus people can receive forgiveness and be made right with God in a way that the Law of Moses could not fully accomplish.
Many people respond positively, and when almost the entire city gathers the following Sabbath to hear God's word, some Jewish leaders become jealous and begin opposing Paul and Barnabas.
Paul and Barnabas then explain that the message was presented to the Jewish people first, but because some reject it, they will now turn more openly toward the Gentiles, fulfilling God's purpose that salvation should reach the ends of the earth.
The Gentiles respond with great joy, and the word of the Lord spreads throughout the region, but influential people eventually organize opposition against the missionaries and force them to leave.
Even after being rejected and persecuted, the disciples remain filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, showing that persecution cannot destroy the faith of those who have accepted the Gospel.
The central message of Acts 13 is that the Gospel is God's message of salvation for all nations, and the Holy Spirit actively directs the church to take that message beyond its original Jewish setting.
The chapter also shows the importance of Paul's preaching, because he explains Christianity not as a completely new religion disconnected from Israel's history, but as the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus.
Another important theme is that the Gospel produces different responses: some people believe and rejoice, some become curious and want to hear more, while others become jealous and hostile, yet none of these reactions can prevent God's message from spreading.
Acts 13 therefore begins a new stage in Christian history, as Paul and Barnabas move from a local church in Antioch into an international missionary movement, laying the foundation for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman world.