Acts 13:47
What does Acts 13:47 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:47 means
Paul and Barnabas justified their shift to the Gentiles by quoting from Isaiah 49:6, where God states, 'I have set you for a light of the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.' This Old Testament prophecy reveals God's long-standing intention for His salvation to extend beyond Israel to all nations. By applying this to their ministry, Paul affirms that their mission to the Gentiles is not a secondary plan but a divinely commanded fulfillment of prophecy, ensuring the gospel's global reach.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For so the Lord has given us orders, saying, I have given you for a light to the Gentiles so that you may be for salvation to the ends of the earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for so hath the Lord commanded us: I have set thee for a light of nations--for thy being for salvation unto the end of the earth.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For so the Lord hath commanded us: I have set thee to be the light of the Gentiles: that thou mayest be for salvation unto the utmost part of the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for thus has the Lord enjoined us: I have set thee for a light of the nations, that thou shouldest be for salvation to the end of the earth.
Context
After Paul and Barnabas declared their intention to turn to the Gentiles in verse 46 due to Jewish rejection, this verse provides the foundational scriptural authority for that decision. By quoting Isaiah 49:6, they demonstrate that the evangelization of Gentiles is not a new idea but a fulfillment of God's long-held prophetic plan. This divine mandate sets the stage for the positive and widespread reception of the gospel among the Gentiles, as detailed in verses 48-49, showing that this strategic shift was ordained by God.
v.46And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
v.47This passage
v.48And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 42:9
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.
- Isaiah 60:3
And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
- Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
- Isaiah 42:1
Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
- Zechariah 8:20
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities;
- Jeremiah 16:19
O Jehovah, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, unto thee shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited nought but lies, even vanity and things wherein there is no profit.
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