Acts 13:41
What does Acts 13:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:41 means
Paul quotes from Habakkuk 1:5, issuing a stern warning to 'despisers'—those who reject God’s work. They are told to 'wonder, and perish,' because God is performing a work in their day that they will 'in no wise believe,' even if it is explained to them. This prophecy speaks of God's unexpected and astonishing judgment. By quoting this, Paul warns that those who scorn the message of Jesus's resurrection and salvation will face divine judgment, failing to grasp the profound work God is doing in their midst through the gospel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, you doubters, have wonder and come to your end; for I will do a thing in your days to which you will not give belief, even if it is made clear to you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862See, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish, because a work I--I do work in your days, a work in which ye may not believe, though any one may declare <FI>it<Fi> to you.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which you will not believe, if any man shall tell it you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye will in no wise believe if one declare it to you.
Context
Following the general warning against neglecting prophetic warnings in verse 40, this verse delivers the specific prophetic judgment from Habakkuk 1:5. This direct quote highlights the catastrophic consequences for those who despise or disbelieve God's work, which Paul identifies with the gospel of Jesus. This stark warning sets a serious tone for the conclusion of Paul's sermon, and the reactions of the audience, both positive and negative, immediately follow in verses 42-45, demonstrating the polarizing effect of the preached word.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 21:41
They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
- Isaiah 28:14
Wherefore hear the word of Jehovah, ye scoffers, that rule this people that is in Jerusalem:
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16
forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
- Proverbs 5:12
And say, How have I hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof;
- Isaiah 5:24
Therefore as the tongue of fire devoureth the stubble, and as the dry grass sinketh down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have rejected the law of Jehovah of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
- Proverbs 1:24
Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded;
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