Acts 13:18

KJV

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} about {G5613} the time {G5550} of forty years {G5063} suffered he {G5159} their {G846} manners {G5159} in {G1722} the wilderness {G2048}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For some forty years he took care of them in the desert,

Berean Standard Bible

He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness.

American Standard Version

And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 13:18, embedded within Paul's sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, succinctly encapsulates God's remarkable patience and steadfast faithfulness towards the nation of Israel during their arduous forty-year sojourn in the wilderness. This verse highlights the divine endurance of Israel's persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness, serving as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people despite their provocations, thereby setting the stage for the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan in Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Paul's sermon in Acts 13 is a masterful recounting of Israel's history, designed to demonstrate God's consistent redemptive activity culminating in Jesus Christ. Beginning with the election of the patriarchs and the deliverance from Egypt, Paul meticulously traces God's hand through the wilderness period, the era of the judges, the monarchy under David, and the prophetic promises. Acts 13:18 specifically follows Paul's description of God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and precedes the establishment of the judges and kings. It serves as a crucial bridge, emphasizing God's character during a prolonged period of national testing and rebellion, thereby preparing his audience to understand the greater need for a Savior who would overcome human failure.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The forty-year wilderness period, following the Exodus from Egypt (approximately 1446 BC), was a foundational experience for ancient Israel. It was a time of divine testing, revelation (the giving of the Law at Sinai), and formation of the nation, yet also marked by repeated instances of grumbling, idolatry (e.g., the golden calf), and rebellion against God and Moses. The phrase "suffered he their manners" (or "bore with their ways") reflects the divine patience required to lead a stiff-necked people through a harsh desert environment, providing for their every need (manna, water, protected clothing) even as they constantly challenged His authority and faithfulness. This historical period was well-known to Paul's Jewish audience, and his reference would immediately evoke the numerous accounts of Israel's waywardness and God's enduring grace found in the Pentateuch.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Paul's sermon and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Forbearance and Patience**, illustrating God's incredible long-suffering in the face of human sin and rebellion. Despite Israel's repeated provocations in the wilderness, God did not abandon them but continued to provide and guide them, as seen in passages like [Nehemiah 9:21](/nehemiah/9-21 "Nehemiah 9:21 - God's Sustaining Hand in the Wilderness"). Implicitly, the verse also highlights **Israel's Persistent Rebellion**, serving as a cautionary tale that human unfaithfulness cannot thwart God's ultimate purposes, though it incurs consequences. This theme is echoed throughout the Old Testament, for example, in [Psalm 95:10](/psalm/95-10 "Psalm 95:10 - God's Weariness with Israel's Rebellion"). Finally, it underscores **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that even when His people falter, God remains true to His promises and continues to work towards His redemptive goals, ultimately leading to the promise of a Savior from David's line, as Paul elaborates in [Acts 13:23](/acts/13-23 "Acts 13:23 - The Promise of a Savior from David").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **suffered he their manners (Greek, _tropophoréō'_):** This verb, G5159, is a compound of _tropos_ (manner, way of life) and _phoréō_ (to bear, carry, endure). It vividly conveys the idea of God tolerating, enduring, and patiently bearing with the difficult, rebellious, and often ungrateful behavior of the Israelites. The KJV's translation accurately captures this sense of divine forbearance.
* **forty years (Greek, _tessarakontaetḗs'_):** Derived from _tessarakonta_ (forty) and _etos_ (year), G5063 specifically denotes the duration of "forty years of age" or, in this context, "of forty years" in duration. This specific number is highly symbolic and significant in biblical narratives, often representing a period of testing, judgment, or divine preparation, as seen in the wilderness wandering.
* **wilderness (Greek, _érēmos'_):** G2048, meaning "lonesome" or "waste," is used as a noun to refer to a "desert" or "solitary place." In the biblical narrative, the wilderness is not merely a geographical location but a theological space where God tests His people, reveals Himself, and provides for them, often serving as a crucible for faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And about the time of forty years":** This phrase establishes the specific duration of God's enduring patience, referencing the well-known period of Israel's wandering in the desert following the Exodus. The "about the time of" suggests an approximation, but the "forty years" is a precise and biblically significant number, denoting a generation's span and a period of divine testing and discipline.
* **"suffered he their manners":** This is the core action of the verse, attributing to God an astonishing degree of patience and forbearance. The verb "suffered" (from _tropophoréō_) implies not just passive endurance but an active bearing with, or tolerating, the difficult and rebellious "manners" or behaviors of the Israelites. This includes their complaints, idolatry, lack of faith, and challenges to divine authority.
* **"in the wilderness":** This clause specifies the setting for this prolonged period of divine patience and human rebellion. The wilderness was the crucible where Israel's character was tested and where God's miraculous provision and steadfast presence were most evident, despite their constant provocation.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 13:18 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Historical Allusion** is paramount, as Paul's brief statement immediately calls to mind the extensive narratives of Israel's wilderness wanderings found in the Pentateuch (e.g., Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). This concise reference serves as a powerful shorthand, evoking a rich tapestry of divine provision, human rebellion, and God's enduring patience. The phrase "suffered he their manners" can be seen as a form of **Divine Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human-like experience of enduring annoyance or difficulty to God, thereby making His patience more relatable and profound. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Contrast**, subtly highlighting the vast difference between God's unwavering faithfulness and Israel's consistent unfaithfulness, setting the stage for the ultimate solution to human sin found in Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 13:18 profoundly illustrates the theological truth of God's immense patience and long-suffering with His people, even in the face of their persistent sin and rebellion. This divine attribute, often termed "forbearance," is not a sign of weakness or indifference but a demonstration of His steadfast love and commitment to His covenant promises. God's willingness to "suffer their manners" for forty years in the wilderness underscores His desire for His people's repentance and His ultimate faithfulness to His redemptive plan, despite their unworthiness. This historical example serves as a foundational truth about God's character, which remains consistent throughout salvation history.

* [Numbers 14:34](/numbers/14-34 "Numbers 14:34 - Forty Years of Wandering")
* [Psalm 78:38](/psalm/78-38 "Psalm 78:38 - God's Compassion and Forgiveness")
* [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness, Forbearance, and Patience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 13:18 serves as a profound mirror for contemporary believers, reflecting both God's enduring character and the persistent tendencies of the human heart. Just as God patiently bore with the rebellious Israelites in the wilderness, He extends the same boundless patience and grace to us today. This should evoke a deep sense of gratitude and humility, recognizing that our own spiritual journeys are often marked by moments of doubt, complaint, and disobedience, yet God remains steadfast. The historical account of Israel's failures in the wilderness is not merely an ancient tale but a timeless warning against unbelief and spiritual apathy. We are called to learn from their mistakes, to cultivate a spirit of trust and obedience, and to remember God's unfailing provision even when circumstances are challenging. This verse encourages us to lean into God's grace, not to presume upon it, but to respond to His enduring patience with heartfelt repentance and a renewed commitment to walk in His ways, trusting that He will sustain us through our own "wilderness" experiences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I experienced God's patient endurance, even when I have been unfaithful or rebellious?**
* **What specific "manners" or attitudes in my own heart might God be patiently bearing with today, calling me to repentance?**
* **How does the knowledge of God's long-suffering in the wilderness encourage me to trust His provision and guidance in my current challenges?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "forty years" in Acts 13:18?**

Answer: The "forty years" refers to the period of time Israel wandered in the wilderness after their Exodus from Egypt, as recounted in books like [Numbers](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Wilderness Wandering"). This duration is highly significant in biblical theology, often symbolizing a period of testing, judgment, or preparation. For Israel, it was a time of divine discipline for their unbelief and rebellion (as seen in [Numbers 14:33-34](/numbers/14-33-34 "Numbers 14:33-34 - Consequences of Disobedience")), but also a period where God miraculously provided for them and forged them into a nation. Paul's mention of it highlights God's sustained patience and faithfulness throughout this prolonged period of human failure.

**Why does Paul emphasize God "suffering their manners" in his sermon?**

Answer: Paul emphasizes God "suffering their manners" to underscore God's incredible forbearance and grace. In the broader context of his sermon in [Acts 13](/acts/13 "Acts 13 - Paul's Sermon in Antioch"), Paul is tracing God's redemptive plan through Israel's history, demonstrating God's consistent character and His faithfulness to His promises despite human unfaithfulness. By highlighting God's patience with rebellious Israel, Paul sets the stage to show that if God was so patient with their historical failures, He is even more gracious in offering salvation through Jesus Christ, which is not based on human merit but on divine grace. It contrasts human sinfulness with divine steadfastness, preparing the audience for the radical grace of the Gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 13:18, with its emphasis on God's forty years of patient endurance with Israel's rebellious "manners" in the wilderness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. First, Jesus Himself perfectly embodies the divine patience that Israel so often lacked. Unlike Israel, who failed in their wilderness testing, Jesus endured His own forty-day wilderness temptation (as recounted in [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")) without sin, perfectly obeying God where Israel failed. He is the true Israel, the faithful Son who perfectly fulfills the covenant. Second, and more significantly, Christ is the ultimate expression of God's forbearance, as He "suffered" not merely the "manners" of a rebellious people, but the very wrath of God for the sins of humanity on the cross. His sacrifice is the culmination of God's long-suffering, providing the means by which humanity's rebellion can be truly atoned for and forgiven. Through His atoning work, the patience God showed to Israel in the wilderness is now extended to all who believe, offering not just temporary sustenance but eternal life and reconciliation, as proclaimed throughout the New Testament (e.g., [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated") and [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, fulfilling the types and shadows of the Old Testament wilderness narrative.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 7:36

He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

Exodus 16:2

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

Hebrews 3:16

For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

Hebrews 3:19

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Deuteronomy 9:21

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, [and] ground [it] very small, [even] until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.

Deuteronomy 9:24

Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.

Exodus 16:35

And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.