Acts 13:45

45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they became very jealous. They said evil things against what Paul was saying.

Acts 13:45 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes
The vast number of people, the inhabitants of the city, the Gentiles, that were assembled together to hear the word. This must be understood of the unbelieving Jews, who came with no good design:

they were filled with envy;
at the Gentiles, that they should have the word equally preached to them, as to themselves, to whom the oracles of God were committed; or at the popularity of the apostles, that such numbers should follow them; and they might fear many converts might be made by them, from among them:

and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul;
concerning Jesus of Nazareth being the Messiah, which they denied; and concerning free justification by his righteousness, which they affirmed to be by the works of the law: and they went on

contradicting and blaspheming;
publicly opposing him, and speaking evil of him, and of his doctrines; and not only so, but belching out their blasphemies against the Lord Jesus Christ. The Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, leave out the word "contradicting", as redundant, it having been before said, that "they spoke against", or "contradicted" what Paul delivered; though it may not be superfluous, but express their continuance in their contradiction and opposition; and which was attended with, and issued in blasphemy: such a spirit of reproach and blasphemy is with the Jews a sign of the Messiah's coming;

``says R. Jannai F24, when you see generation after generation reproaching and blaspheming, look for the feet of the Messiah, according to ( Psalms 89:51 ) .''

This they have been doing one age after another, even for many ages; and therefore, according to one of their own signs, the Messiah must be come.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 11. 4.

Acts 13:45 In-Context

43 The people were told they could leave the service. Many Jews followed Paul and Barnabas. Many non-Jews who faithfully worshiped the God of the Jews did the same. Paul and Barnabas talked with them. They tried to get them to keep living in God's grace.
44 On the next Sabbath day, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they became very jealous. They said evil things against what Paul was saying.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly. "We had to speak God's word to you first," they said. "But you don't accept it. You don't think you are good enough for eternal life. So now we are turning to those who aren't Jews.
47 This is what the Lord has commanded us to do. He said, " 'I have made you a light for those who aren't Jews. You will bring salvation to the whole earth.' " (Isaiah 49:6)
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