Acts 13:40
What does Acts 13:40 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:40 means
Having offered the profound twin truths of remission of sins and justification through Christ, Paul now issues a serious warning. He urges his listeners to 'Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets.' This cautionary statement points to the consequences of rejecting God's unique provision of salvation. It serves to impress upon the audience the gravity of their decision, reminding them that dismissing this gospel message carries severe spiritual repercussions, as prophesied in their own sacred texts. Not only is it an invitation, but a command to avoid destruction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So take care that these words of the prophets do not come true for you;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862see, therefore, it may not come upon you that hath been spoken in the prophets:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890See therefore that that which is spoken in the prophets do not come upon [you],
Context
After presenting the life-changing truths of remission of sins and justification through faith in Jesus in verses 38-39, Paul issues a solemn warning in this verse. This warning sets up the specific prophetic judgment delivered in verse 41, creating a sense of urgency. Paul is effectively telling his audience that they face a critical choice and that rejecting the gospel has dire consequences, directly linking their current decision to ancient scriptural warnings.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 3:12
Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God:
- Hebrews 2:3
how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;
- Hebrews 12:25
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:
- Malachi 3:2
But who can 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.
- Isaiah 29:14
therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
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