Acts 13:48

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

And {G1161} when the Gentiles {G1484} heard this {G191}, they were glad {G5463}, and {G2532} glorified {G1392} the word {G3056} of the Lord {G2962}: and {G2532} as many as {G3745} were {G2258} ordained {G5021} to {G1519} eternal {G166} life {G2222} believed {G4100}.

The Gentiles were very happy to hear this. They honored the message about the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life came to trust.

When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Commentary

Acts 13:48 marks a pivotal moment in the early Christian mission, highlighting the enthusiastic reception of the Gospel by Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch after its rejection by many Jews. This verse powerfully illustrates the expansion of God's saving grace beyond traditional boundaries.

Context

Paul and Barnabas, on their first missionary journey, had initially preached in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch. While some Jews and proselytes believed, the majority of the Jewish leadership and populace vehemently opposed their message (Acts 13:45). In response, Paul and Barnabas declared their intention to turn specifically to the Gentiles, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy that Christ would be "a light of the Gentiles" (Acts 13:47, referencing Isaiah 49:6). Verse 48 describes the immediate and joyful outcome of this strategic shift.

Key Themes

  • Gentile Inclusion in Salvation: This verse is a clear demonstration of God's plan to extend salvation to all nations, not just Israel. The Gentiles' joy and belief underscore that the barriers between Jew and Gentile were being broken down through Christ, a theme central to Paul's ministry (Ephesians 2:14).
  • Divine Sovereignty and Human Response: The phrase "as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" points to a profound theological truth. It suggests that God's sovereign will is at work in salvation, while also acknowledging the human act of faith. This dynamic interplay between divine election and human belief is a recurring biblical concept (John 6:44).
  • The Power and Spread of the Word: The Gentiles "glorified the word of the Lord," indicating their reverence and acceptance of the Gospel message. This highlights the inherent power of God's Word to transform lives and its rapid dissemination throughout the Gentile world during the early church era.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "ordained" is tetagmenoi (ฯ„ฮตฯ„ฮฑฮณฮผฮญฮฝฮฟฮน), a perfect passive participle of the verb tasso. This word means "to arrange, appoint, set in order, or determine." In the passive voice, it can imply either:

  1. An active divine appointment or predestination, meaning God had already designated certain individuals for eternal life.
  2. A passive readiness or disposition, meaning those who were "disposed" or "set in order" toward eternal life (perhaps by a prior work of God's grace or their own receptive heart) believed.
The KJV's "ordained" leans towards the first interpretation, emphasizing God's sovereign initiative in salvation. Regardless of the precise nuance, the verse clearly shows that belief is linked to a divine preparation or ordering.

Significance and Application

Acts 13:48 reminds us that God's grace is boundless and extends to all who are willing to receive it. It encourages believers to share the Gospel broadly, trusting that God is at work in the hearts of those He has prepared. For those who believe, it offers comfort in the knowledge that their faith is not merely a human decision but part of a divine plan. It also underscores the importance of a joyful and worshipful response to the "word of the Lord," just as the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch did.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 8:29

    ยถ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

  • Romans 8:30

    Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

  • 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

  • Ephesians 1:4

    According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

  • John 10:16

    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.

  • John 10:26

    But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

  • John 10:27

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
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