Acts 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.

Behold {G1492}, ye despisers {G2707}, and {G2532} wonder {G2296}, and {G2532} perish {G853}: for {G3754} I {G1473} work {G2038} a work {G2041} in {G1722} your {G5216} days {G2250}, a work {G2041} which {G3739} ye shall {G4100} in no wise {G3364} believe {G4100}, though {G1437} a man {G5100} declare it {G1555} unto you {G5213}.

‘You mockers! Look, and marvel, and die!
For in your own time, I am doing a work
that you simply will not believe,
even if someone explains it to you!’ ”

‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you.

Commentary

In Acts 13:41, the Apostle Paul delivers a stark warning to the Jewish audience in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia. This verse is a direct quotation from the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk 1:5, used by Paul to underscore the gravity of rejecting the Gospel message he has just preached.

Context

This powerful warning comes at the climax of Paul's first recorded sermon in Acts, delivered during his first missionary journey. After establishing the historical lineage from Abraham through David to Jesus as the promised Savior (Acts 13:23), and proclaiming Jesus' resurrection and the forgiveness of sins through Him (Acts 13:38), Paul concludes with a solemn admonition. He addresses those who might despise or disbelieve the profound work God is doing through Christ, cautioning them against the consequences of such rejection. His audience included both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles present in the synagogue.

Key Themes

  • Divine Warning and Judgment: The verse serves as a severe warning against spiritual apathy and outright rejection of God's truth. It highlights that disbelief in God's work has dire consequences.
  • The Unbelievable Work of God: Paul emphasizes that God's work, particularly the salvation offered through Jesus Christ, is so profound and unexpected that many will find it impossible to believe, even when clearly declared. This concept echoes other biblical passages describing the human tendency to disbelieve God's signs and wonders.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: By quoting Habakkuk, Paul demonstrates that the current events—the coming of Christ and the varied responses to Him—are not random but align with ancient divine predictions, underscoring the sovereignty of God's plan.
  • Consequences of Disbelief: The phrase "perish" (ἀφανίσθητε - aphanisthēte) indicates a spiritual ruin or destruction for those who willfully refuse to believe in the face of revealed truth.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Despisers" (Greek: καταφρονηταί - kataphronētai): This term refers to those who look down upon, scorn, or willfully disregard something. It implies a deliberate attitude of contempt or disdain towards God's work, rather than mere ignorance.
  • "Wonder" (Greek: θαυμάσατε - thaumasate): While often meaning "to marvel" or "be amazed" in a positive sense, in this context, it carries a sense of astonishment mixed with dread or horror. It's a wonder that leads to destruction, a bewildered astonishment at impending judgment.
  • "Perish" (Greek: ἀφανίσθητε - aphanisthēte): This word means "to vanish," "to be destroyed," or "to disappear." It denotes a complete and irreversible ruin, emphasizing the severe spiritual outcome of rejecting God's incredible work of salvation.

Practical Application

Acts 13:41 offers a timeless caution for all generations. It reminds us that God is continually at work, often in ways that defy human expectation or logic. The verse challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: Are we open to God's truth, or do we harbor a spirit of skepticism or contempt towards His revealed will? The call to believe in Jesus and His redemptive work is central to the Christian faith (see John 3:16).
  • Recognize Divine Sovereignty: God's plans will unfold regardless of human acceptance. While He desires all to come to repentance, He will not be thwarted by unbelief (Romans 11:11-12).
  • Heed Warnings: The Bible is replete with warnings against the dangers of hardened hearts and spiritual indifference. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to respond to God's call with humility and faith, lest we find ourselves in the unenviable position of despising the very work that offers life.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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].

  • 1 Peter 4:17

    For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

  • Romans 11:7

    What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

  • Romans 11:14

    If by any means I may provoke to emulation [them which are] my flesh, and might save some of them.

  • Colossians 1:26

    [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

  • Colossians 1:27

    To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

  • Matthew 23:34

    Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city:
← Back