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Acts 13:52

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And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

And {G1161} the disciples {G3101} were filled with {G4137} joy {G5479}, and {G2532} with the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151}.

and the talmidim were filled with joy and with the Ruach HaKodesh.

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

Acts 13:52 KJV describes the remarkable spiritual state of the early disciples, likely referring to Paul, Barnabas, and perhaps the new believers in Pisidian Antioch, immediately following a period of intense opposition and expulsion.

Context

This verse concludes a significant section of Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey. After successfully preaching the Gospel in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, many Gentiles eagerly responded to the message. However, the Jewish leaders, fueled by envy and jealousy over the large crowds, incited persecution against Paul and Barnabas, ultimately expelling them from the city (Acts 13:50). In response, the apostles followed Jesus' instruction to shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony against the unbelieving city before departing for Iconium. It is in this challenging context that Acts 13:52 reveals the profound internal peace and power experienced by the disciples, highlighting their resilience despite external pressures.

Key Themes

  • Joy in Adversity: The most striking aspect is that despite facing expulsion and persecution, the disciples were filled with joy. This highlights a distinctly Christian joy that is not contingent on favorable circumstances but is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), rooted in God's presence and promises. It demonstrates a supernatural capacity to rejoice even amidst suffering.
  • Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The disciples' joy was directly linked to being "filled...with the Holy Ghost." This demonstrates the Holy Spirit's crucial role in sustaining believers through trials, providing comfort, strength, and inner peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7). This filling was not just for miraculous signs but for enduring discipleship and witness.
  • Divine Vindication and Progress: Despite the opposition, the disciples did not despair. Their joy and spiritual fullness signified God's approval of their mission and His continued work through them, even as they moved to a new location to spread the Gospel. The setback was merely a redirection for further outreach.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "filled with joy" comes from the Greek plērousthai charas, emphasizing an overflowing, complete, and abundant state of joy. This wasn't a fleeting emotion but a deep spiritual condition. Similarly, "filled...with the Holy Ghost" (Greek: Pneuma Hagion) indicates a fresh empowerment and presence of God's Spirit. This concept of being "filled" with the Holy Spirit is a recurring theme throughout the Book of Acts, signifying divine enablement for witness and endurance, much like the experience at Pentecost or when believers were threatened (Acts 4:31).

Practical Application

Acts 13:52 offers powerful encouragement for believers today. It teaches that true Christian joy is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to find peace and even rejoice amidst difficulties. When facing opposition, disappointment, or hardship, we are reminded to look beyond our circumstances to the unchanging faithfulness of God and to seek a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that His Spirit empowers us to endure and even thrive, regardless of external pressures, allowing us to be joyful in hope and patient in tribulation, always relying on divine empowerment for our walk.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:6 (7 votes)

    ¶ And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

  • Romans 15:13 (7 votes)

    ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

  • Acts 4:31 (5 votes)

    And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

  • Galatians 5:22 (5 votes)

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • 2 Corinthians 8:2 (4 votes)

    How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

  • Romans 5:3 (4 votes)

    And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

  • Acts 2:4 (4 votes)

    And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.