Acts 13:42-44 Meaning: A Whole City Hungry for God’s Word
42So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
43Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44The next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
42And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
42And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.
43Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
42And having gone forth out of the synagogue of the Jews, the nations were calling upon them that on the next sabbath these sayings may be spoken to them,
43and the synagogue having been dismissed, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes did follow Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were persuading them to remain in the grace of God.
44And on the coming sabbath, almost all the city was gathered together to hear the word of God,
42And as they went out they begged that these words might be spoken to them the ensuing sabbath.
43And the congregation of the synagogue having broken up, many of the Jews and of the worshipping proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44And on the coming sabbath almost all the city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
Meaning in one sentence
After Paul's sermon, people begged to hear more. The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered for the word of God. What moved them?
Context
Acts 13 finds Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, arriving at Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they enter the synagogue, and after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, Paul delivers a sermon that traces God’s work from Israel to Jesus. Verses 42, 44 record the immediate response. As the service ends, the congregation does not simply disperse. Some people, exactly who is debated among manuscripts, plead for Paul and Barnabas to speak again the next Sabbath. Many Jews and devout converts follow the apostles, who urge them to keep living in God’s grace. By the following Sabbath, word has spread so widely that nearly the whole city crowds together to hear the word of the Lord.
Key Words
Three Greek words carry the energy of this passage. The verb behind “begged” is parekaloun, a strong word that can mean to call alongside, to entreat urgently. These people were not politely interested; they were desperate for more of what they had heard. It is the same word used elsewhere for comforting or exhorting, but here it leans into earnest request.
Then Paul and Barnabas urge them to “continue” in grace. The word is prosmenō, to remain with someone, to hold fast. It is not passive. Thayer defines it as “to hold fast to the grace of God received in the Gospel.” The apostles wanted these new listeners to stay linked to the life God had opened for them, not just sample it once.
Finally, “almost the whole city” uses schedon (nearly) and pasa (all). The phrase paints a picture of a community stirred by news of Jesus. The intervening days had been filled with private conversations and eager telling. By the next Sabbath, the gathering was no longer a synagogue service. It was a city coming to hear its Lord.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this passage with different eyes on one question: who exactly asked for the message to be repeated? Some early manuscripts read simply “they begged” as the congregation left, without saying whether the speakers were Jews or Gentiles. Other ancient copies specify “the Gentiles begged.”
Adam Clarke and John Wesley see the request coming from the Gentiles. The Cambridge Bible notes that the desire was expressed by the mixed congregation of Jews and proselytes. Still others point to the textual variants and warn against being dogmatic.
Both readings remind us of a wider truth. The gospel was always meant for all people. Whether Jew or Gentile, the response was hunger. And the apostles did not discriminate in their encouragement: everyone who followed was urged to continue in grace.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that all the Jews rejected Paul and only the Gentiles were interested. In fact, verse 43 explicitly says “many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas.” The rejection and jealousy came later from some Jews, not all. The response was mixed from the start. Many Jews believed, and many others walked with the apostles, asking for more. This verse shows that the gospel divided listeners, but it also gathered a faithful remnant from every group.
Living This Out
This week, notice your own hunger for God’s word. The people in Antioch did not wait for the next Sabbath. They followed the apostles immediately and begged for more. You might not have a Paul or Barnabas in your living room, but you have Scripture, a church community, and the Spirit. Have you heard something good and then let it fade?
The apostles urged them to continue in grace, not just start well. That might mean rereading a passage that struck you, staying in prayer when enthusiasm dips, or reaching out to someone else who also wants to grow. The word spread during the week through ordinary conversations. You can do the same. Tell someone what you are learning. You might be part of why the whole city shows up next time.
Main takeaway: A genuine encounter with God’s word creates a hunger for more, and the grace of God calls us to stay close and keep growing.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
After Paul told the people about Jesus, they wanted to hear more. They asked him to come back the next week. When he did, almost the whole city came to listen!
For ages 9, 12
Paul and Barnabas were in a synagogue in Antioch. Some people believed right away, but others were angry. In today’s verses, notice how many different people responded: some begged for more preaching, some followed the apostles, and the next week nearly the whole city showed up. It shows that news about Jesus spreads fast when people are excited and when believers keep talking about it.
Questions People Ask
Who exactly made the request in Acts 13:42?
The ancient manuscripts differ. Some say 'when they went out, they begged' without naming who. Others specifically say 'the Gentiles begged.' Many commentators believe the request came from the whole congregation, including both Jews and Gentile proselytes. Either way, the response was eager and sincere.
What does 'continue in the grace of God' mean?
It means to remain in the favor and power that God gives through the gospel. Paul and Barnabas urged the new listeners not to fall away but to keep trusting, obeying, and relying on God’s kindness. The Greek word implies holding fast to something, like staying close to a friend.
Why did nearly the whole city gather on the next Sabbath?
During the week, those who had heard Paul and Barnabas spread the news through personal conversations and testimony. The excitement and the content of the message stirred curiosity and faith. By the next Sabbath, the crowd was so large that it included almost everyone in the city.
What is a proselyte in Acts 13:43?
A proselyte was a Gentile who had converted to Judaism, often by accepting circumcision and following Jewish laws. They are described as 'devout' because they worshiped the God of Israel. In this passage, many of them followed Paul and Barnabas, showing that the gospel reached people who had already sought God.
Is there a textual variant in Acts 13:42 that affects the meaning?
Yes. Some early manuscripts omit the words 'the Jews were gone out' and simply say 'when they went out.' This makes the subject of the verb less clear. The main point stays the same: the people who heard Paul were hungry for more. The variant shows how scribes tried to clarify, but the eagerness of the response is not in doubt.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study