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Acts 13:47

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 13:47 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For 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.
Acts 13:47 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
44And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
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.
47For 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.
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.
49And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region.
50But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.
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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
“For so hath the Lord commanded us, etc.] For though Christ in his first commission restrained his disciples from going into the Gentiles, and preaching to them, yet when he enlarged their commission after his resurrection, he bid them go into all nations, and preach the Gospel to every creature; and told them, that they should be his witnesses to the uttermost part of the earth; (see <402819>Matthew 28:19 <411615>Mark 16:15 <440108> Acts 1:8) unless this should rather be thought to refer to what follows: saying; or “as it is written”, as the Syriac version supplies; or “because so saith the Scripture”, as the Ethiopic version, namely in (<234906>Isaiah 49:6). I have set thee to be a light of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, &c.--These and other predictions must have been long before this brought vividly home to Paul's mind in connection with his special vocation to the Gentiles. I have set thee--that is, Messiah; from which Paul inferred that he was but following out this destination of his Lord, in transferring to the Gentiles those "unsearchable riches" which were now by the Jews rejected and despised.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For so ... - Paul, as usual, appeals to the Scriptures to justify his course. Here he appeals to the Old Testament rather than to the command of the Saviour, because the Jews recognized the authority of their own Scriptures, while they would have turned in scorn from the command of Jesus of Nazareth. I have set thee ... - I have constituted or appointed thee. This passage is found in Isaiah 49:6. See the notes on Isaiah 49:1-6. To be a light - See the notes on John 1:4. Of the Gentiles - This was in accordance with the uniform doctrines of Isaiah, Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 54:3; Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 60:5,Isaiah 60:16; Isaiah 61:6, Isaiah 61:9; Isaiah 62:2; Isaiah 66:12; compare Romans 15:9-12. For…”
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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
“For so hath the Lord commanded us - By sending us forth, and giving us an opportunity of fulfilling what he had foretold. I have set thee - The Father speaks to Christ. Isa 49:6. Acts 13:48”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“so: Act 1:8, Act 9:15, Act 22:21, Act 26:17, Act 26:18; Mat 28:19; Mar 16:15; Luk 24:47 I have: Act 26:23; Isa 42:1, Isa 42:6, Isa 49:6, Isa 60:3; Luk 2:32 that thou: Act 15:14-16; Psa 22:27-29, Psa 67:2-7, Psa 72:7, Psa 72:8, Psa 96:1, Psa 96:2, Psa 98:2, Psa 98:3, Psa 117:1, Psa 117:2; Isa 2:1-3, Isa 24:13-16, Isa 42:9-12, Isa 45:22, Isa 52:10, Isa 59:19, Isa 59:20; Jer 16:19; Hos 1:10; Amo 9:12; Mic 4:2, Mic 4:3, Mic 5:7; Zep 3:9, Zep 3:10; Zac 2:11, Zac 8:20-23; Mal 1:11 Acts 13:48”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification