Acts 13:51

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

But {G1161} they shook off {G1621} the dust {G2868} of their {G846} feet {G4228} against {G1909} them {G846}, and came {G2064} unto {G1519} Iconium {G2430}.

However, Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba shook off the dust of their feet against them and went on to Iconium;

So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

Commentary

Acts 13:51 KJV describes a pivotal moment in the missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, illustrating their response to severe opposition and rejection of the Gospel message.

Context of Acts 13:51

This verse follows a significant period of ministry in Antioch of Pisidia, where Paul delivered a powerful sermon in the synagogue, leading to widespread interest among both Jews and Gentiles. However, the success and the apostles' turning to the Gentiles (as seen in Acts 13:46) provoked intense jealousy and opposition from some Jewish leaders. These leaders incited prominent citizens and devout women, leading to the persecution of Paul and Barnabas and their expulsion from the region (Acts 13:50).

  • Antioch of Pisidia: A Roman colony in the province of Galatia, an important stop on Paul's first missionary journey.
  • Expulsion: Despite initial success, the apostles faced strong resistance, demonstrating the challenges inherent in early Christian evangelism.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Instruction and Apostolic Practice: The act of "shaking off the dust of their feet" was not a display of anger but an act of solemn warning and obedience to Jesus's specific instruction to His disciples when their message was rejected. It signified that the apostles bore no further responsibility for the unbelief of those who refused the Gospel.
  • Rejection of the Gospel: This symbolic gesture underscored the severe consequence of rejecting God's saving message, indicating that the unbelievers would be held accountable for their decision.
  • Perseverance in Ministry: Despite hostility, Paul and Barnabas did not abandon their mission. They promptly moved on to Iconium, demonstrating resilience and commitment to spreading the Good News wherever there was an open door. This highlights a crucial principle of persistent evangelism.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The act of "shaking off the dust from their feet" was a well-understood Jewish custom. When Jews traveled through Gentile territory, they would often shake off the dust from their sandals upon re-entering Jewish land to signify cleansing themselves from Gentile defilement. By performing this act, Paul and Barnabas were symbolically treating the inhabitants of Antioch of Pisidia who rejected their message as Gentiles, or even worse, as those who had rejected the very truth of God. Jesus Himself commanded His disciples to do this in Matthew 10:14 (also Luke 10:11), signifying that the responsibility for unbelief lay with the hearers, not the messengers. It was a powerful visual declaration of judgment and disassociation.

Practical Application

Acts 13:51 offers valuable lessons for believers today facing similar challenges:

  • Dealing with Rejection: Not everyone will accept the Gospel message. This verse teaches us that while we are called to share the truth, we are not responsible for others' belief or unbelief.
  • Moving Forward: We should not be deterred by opposition or spend excessive time on those who persistently reject the message. Instead, like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to move on to where there is receptivity and continue the mission.
  • Focus on God's Call: The apostles' immediate departure to Iconium underscores the importance of staying focused on God's commission, even in the face of adversity. Our calling is to proclaim, and God is responsible for the outcome.

This verse serves as a reminder of the steadfastness required in Christian witness and the solemn reality of choosing to accept or reject God's gracious offer of salvation.

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

  • Matthew 10:14

    And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

  • Acts 18:6

    And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook [his] raiment, and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I [am] clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

  • Luke 9:5

    And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

  • Acts 14:21

    And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and [to] Iconium, and Antioch,

  • Acts 14:19

    ¶ And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

  • Acts 14:1

    ¶ And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

  • Mark 6:11

    And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
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