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Acts 13:16

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 13:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken:
Acts 13:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
14But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken:
17The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it.
18And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness.
19And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave [them] their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years:
← Acts 13:15Acts 13:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Paul stood up, etc.] Not so much that he might be heard; or merely out of reverence and respect to the rulers, and the people; but to show that he accepted the invitation; as also in order to take his proper place in the synagogue, and sit down and teach, as was their custom: and beckoning with his hand; to the people to be silent, and attend to what he had to say: said, men of Israel; by whom are meant the proper Jews, the natural descendants of Jacob, whose name was Israel; this was accounted a very honourable character, and was a common form of address; (see <440222>Acts 2:22) and ye that fear God; not as distinguishing some among the Israelites from the rest, as if there were some…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Men of Israel - Jews. The design of this discourse of Paul was to introduce to them the doctrine that Jesus was the Messiah. To do this, he evinced his usual wisdom and address. To have commenced at once on this would have probably excited their prejudice and rage. He therefore pursued a train of argument which showed that he was a firm believer in the Scriptures; that he was acquainted with the history and promises of the Old Testament; and that he was not disposed to call in question the doctrines of their fathers. The passage which had been read had probably given occasion for him to pursue this train of thought. By going over, in a summary way, their history, and recounting the former…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye that fear God - Whether proselytes or heathens. Acts 13:17”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:16-41 Paul accepted the invitation, motioned to quiet his audience (cp. 19:33; 21:40), and launched into a straightforward proclamation of the Good News. This is Paul’s first great speech in Acts, and it provides a model of his preaching to a Jewish audience (see 22:1-21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“beckoning: Act 12:17, Act 19:33, Act 21:40 Men: Act 13:26, Act 2:22, Act 3:12 and ye: Act 13:42, Act 13:43, Act 13:46, Act 10:2, Act 10:35; Kg1 8:40; Psa 67:7, Psa 85:9, Psa 135:20; Luk 1:50, Luk 23:40 give: Act 2:14, Act 22:1, Act 22:22; Deu 32:46, Deu 32:47; Psa 49:1-3, Psa 78:1, Psa 78:2; Mic 3:8, Mic 3:9; Mat 11:15; Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:29 Acts 13:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification