Acts 13:48
What does Acts 13:48 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:48 means
Upon hearing that the promise of salvation was now being directed specifically to them, the Gentiles were overjoyed and glorified the word of God. This indicates their enthusiastic and sincere reception of the gospel, contrasting sharply with the Jewish rejection. The verse also states that 'as many as were ordained to eternal life believed,' highlighting God’s sovereign hand in salvation. This demonstrates that God had prepared specific individuals for faith, emphasizing His grace in drawing people to Himself, and resulting in genuine conversion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Gentiles, hearing this, were glad and gave glory to the word of God: and those marked out by God for eternal life had faith.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the nations hearing were glad, and were glorifying the word of the Lord, and did believe--as many as were appointed to life age-during;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Gentiles hearing it were glad and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to life everlasting believed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And [those of] the nations, hearing it, rejoiced, and glorified the word of the Lord, and believed, as many as were ordained to eternal life.
Context
Following the declaration of the gospel's intentional shift to the Gentiles and its prophetic basis in verses 46-47, this verse vividly describes the positive response. The Gentiles' joy and belief stand in stark contrast to the Jewish jealousy and blasphemy. This widespread acceptance among the Gentiles immediately leads to the rapid dissemination of the Lord's word throughout the entire region, as depicted in verse 49, showcasing the new and powerful momentum of the missionary effort and validating the apostles' strategic pivot.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 10:16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.
- Romans 11:7
What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
- Acts 28:23
And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
- John 10:26
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.
- Ephesians 1:19
and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
- John 11:52
and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 13
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 13.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Blasphemy
Blasphemy in the Bible refers to irreverence shown toward God, holy things, and even people who represent God.
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
Topic
Bible Verses About Being Filled with the Spirit
The Bible encourages believers to be filled with the Spirit, a divine empowerment for Christian life and witness
What the Bible says about…