Acts 13:40

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

Beware {G991} therefore {G3767}, lest that {G3361} come {G1904} upon {G1909} you {G5209}, which is spoken of {G2046} in {G1722} the prophets {G4396};

“Watch out, then, so that this word found in the Prophets may not happen to you:

Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you:

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:

Acts 13:40 serves as a solemn warning delivered by the Apostle Paul during his sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. Having just presented the good news of Jesus Christ's resurrection and the forgiveness available through Him, Paul now pivots to a grave admonition, urging his listeners to take heed lest they face the consequences of rejecting God's powerful work among them.

Context

This verse concludes the central part of Paul's sermon in Acts 13, delivered to both Jews and Gentile proselytes. Paul meticulously traced God's redemptive history from Israel's Exodus to the coming of Jesus as the promised Savior. He emphasized that through Jesus, forgiveness of sins and justification from all things are offered, which the Law of Moses could not provide (Acts 13:38-39). The warning in verse 40, immediately followed by a direct quote from Habakkuk 1:5 in Acts 13:41, underscores the gravity of their decision regarding the Gospel message.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Warning Against Unbelief: The primary message is a strong caution against spiritual indifference or active rejection of God's revealed truth. Paul knew that throughout Israel's history, many had failed to recognize or accept God's interventions, leading to severe consequences.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Paul frames his warning within the context of Old Testament prophecies. By saying "which is spoken of in the prophets," he links the current divine activity (the offering of salvation through Christ) to long-standing warnings within their own sacred texts. This emphasizes the continuity of God's word and the certainty of His judgments.
  • Consequences of Rejection: The "that" which might come upon them refers to the judgment and destruction prophesied for those who refuse to believe or respond to God's mighty acts. It speaks to the seriousness of rejecting God's ultimate provision for salvation.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "Beware" is blepete (βλέπετε), a strong imperative meaning "look out," "take heed," or "see to it." It conveys an urgent call to pay close attention and respond appropriately. The phrase "spoken of in the prophets" (τὸ εἰρημένον ἐν τοῖς προφήταις - to eiremenon en tois prophetias) directly points to the authoritative nature of the Old Testament prophetic writings, particularly the passage from Habakkuk 1:5 that Paul quotes in the next verse.

Practical Application

Acts 13:40 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It reminds us of the critical importance of responding to God's call and His revelation. Just as the people in Paul's day were warned not to ignore God's work through Christ, we too are called to seriously consider the claims of the Gospel. Failure to heed divine warnings, especially concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, carries profound spiritual consequences. It encourages an active, believing response to God's grace rather than apathy or outright rejection, echoing the sentiment that whoever does not believe is condemned already. The verse challenges us to avoid the spiritual blindness that prevents recognition of God's activity in our own time.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Malachi 4:1

    ¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

  • Habakkuk 1:5

    ¶ Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for [I] will work a work in your days, [which] ye will not believe, though it be told [you].

  • Hebrews 3:12

    Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

  • Hebrews 12:25

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven:

  • Malachi 3:2

    But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

  • Matthew 3:9

    And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

  • Matthew 3:12

    Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

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