Acts 13:46 · Bible study
Acts 13:46 Commentary: Study: Self-Judgment and the Turn to the Gentiles
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exegetical study of Acts 13:46: In what sense do the Jews 'judge themselves unworthy'? Commentary synthesis, grammar, history, and application.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The Jews’ rejection of the gospel is a self-pronounced judgment, not a verbal confession; God honors their decision.
- Key words: ἀπωθεῖσθε (thrust away, violently reject), παρρησιασάμενοι (speaking boldly, free speech), κρίνετε (judge, pass sentence).
- Main debate: Is 'judge yourselves unworthy' an ironic indictment (Clarke) or a straightforward description of their actions (Barnes, Gill, Calvin)?
- Theological theme: The priority of Israel in God's plan and the inclusion of the Gentiles through the gospel (Romans 11).
- Best use: A model for bold proclamation and discernment about where to invest evangelistic effort.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from yourselves, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
KJV King James Version 1769
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And 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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And speaking boldly, Paul and Barnabas said, `To you it was necessary that first the word of God be spoken, and seeing ye do thrust it away, and do not judge yourselves worthy of the life age-during, lo, we do turn to the nations;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly and said, It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken to you; but, since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the nations;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Then Paul and Barnabas said boldly: To you it behoved us first to speak the word of God: but because you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Entonces Pablo y Bernabé, usando de libertad, dijeron: A vosotros á la verdad era menester que se os hablase la palabra de Dios; mas pues que la desecháis, y os juzgáis indignos|strong="G3756, G0514" de la vida eterna, he aquí, nos volvemos á los Gentiles.
Mas Paulo e Barnabé, usando de ousadia, disseram: Era necessário que a palavra de Deus fosse primeiro falada a vós; mas já que a rejeitais, e não vos julgais dignos da vida eterna, eis que nós nos viramos em direção aos gentios.
Paul et Barnabas leur dirent avec assurance: C’ est à vous premièrement que la parole de Dieu devait être annoncée; mais, puisque vous la repoussez, et que vous vous jugez vous-mêmes indignes de la vie éternelle, voici, nous nous tournons vers les païens.
Paulus aber und Barnabas sprachen frei und öffentlich: Euch mußte zuerst das Wort Gottes gesagt werden; nun ihr es aber von euch stoßet und achtet euch selbst nicht wert des ewigen Lebens, siehe, so wenden wir uns zu den Heiden.
Maar Paulus en Barnabas, vrijmoedigheid gebruikende, zeiden: Het was nodig, dat eerst tot u het Woord Gods gesproken zou worden; doch nademaal gij hetzelve verstoot, en uzelven des eeuwigen levens niet waardig oordeelt, ziet, wij keren ons tot de heidenen.
Ma Paolo e Barnaba dissero loro francamente: Era necessario che a voi per i primi si annunziasse la parola di Dio; ma poiché la respingete e non vi giudicate degni della vita eterna, ecco, noi ci volgiamo ai Gentili.
A Paweł i Barnabasz, bezpiecznie mówiąc, rzekli: Wamci najpierwej miało być opowiadane słowo Boże; ale ponieważ je odrzucacie, a sądzicie się być niegodnymi żywota wiecznego, oto się obracamy do pogan.
Тогда Павел и Варнава с дерзновением сказали: вам первым надлежало быть проповедану слову Божию, но как вы отвергаете его и сами себя делаете недостойными вечной жизни, то вот, мы обращаемся к язычникам.
保羅 和 巴拿巴 放膽 說：「 神 的道 先 講 給你們 原是 應當的；只因 你們棄絕 這道， 斷定 自己 不 配得 永 生， 我們就轉向 外邦人去。
Then Paul and Barnabas without fear said, It was necessary for the word of God to be given to you first; but because you will have nothing to do with it, and have no desire for eternal life, it will now be offered to the Gentiles.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 13:46
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the Jews' rejection of the gospel is itself a self-pronounced judgment. The phrase 'judge yourselves unworthy' does not mean the Jews said they were unworthy, Barnes notes they thought just the reverse. Rather, their act of thrusting away God's word (present tense ἀπωθεῖσθε, 'you are thrusting away') constitutes a verdict on themselves. They declare by their actions that they are not fit for eternal life. Vincent presses the force of ἀπωθεῖσθε: violent rejection, not mere dismissal. Gill and Calvin concur: by refusing the gospel, the Jews pass sentence on themselves. Paul then formalizes this judgment: 'lo, we turn to the Gentiles.'
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Self-pronounced judgment: The Jews' rejection is itself a decisive act that shows they are not fit for eternal life; their actions function as a verdict (Barnes, Gill, Calvin).
- Ironic indictment: Clarke proposes that Paul speaks ironically: 'you think yourselves too good for this,' which God then ratifies by turning to the Gentiles.
What is clear: The Jews rejected the gospel, and that rejection is the immediate cause for Paul's turn to the Gentiles in this location.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The meaning of 'judge yourselves unworthy' | The phrase refers to the Jews' rejection of the gospel, not a verbal confession of unworthiness. | Clarke suggests Paul may be using strong irony (they think themselves too good for the gospel), while Barnes, Gill, and others take it as a straightforward statement that their actions prove them unfit. |
| The continuing priority of the Jew in evangelism | The New Testament pattern is 'first to the Jew, then to the Greek' (Romans 1:16), rooted in God's covenant. | Some Christians see this as a permanent order requiring special effort to reach Jewish people until this day; others view it as a temporary historical pattern that ended with the apostolic era. |
| Whether Paul's turn to the Gentiles was permanent or local | At Antioch in Pisidia, Paul ceased preaching to the Jews and focused on Gentiles. | Some hold this as a decisive theological shift for Paul's entire ministry (he would now always go to Gentiles first), while others point to later chapters where he still first goes to the synagogue (e.g., Acts 17:1, 2, 18:4). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Acts 13 takes place in Pisidian Antioch, a Roman colony with a significant Jewish population. The synagogue service provided Paul a platform to announce Jesus as the promised Messiah (Acts 13:16, 41). The phrase 'it was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first' reflects Christ's own command: the apostles were to begin at Jerusalem and go to the lost sheep of Israel first (Luke 24:47; Matthew 10:6; Romans 1:16). This priority was not based on Jewish worth, Calvin calls it a 'degree of honor and excellency whereunto God had exalted them.'
When the Jews saw the crowds drawn by Paul's message, jealousy drove them to contradict and blaspheme (v.45). Their opposition was more than disagreement: it was a violent thrusting away (ἀπωθεῖσθε), a word used elsewhere for repelling an enemy or pushing away something loathsome. In the cultural setting, such rejection of God's overture was a grave matter. The synagogue was the center of Jewish identity; turning to the Gentiles was a seismic shift. Yet Paul grounds this turn in Scripture, quoting Isaiah 49:6 in the next verse: 'I have set you as a light for the Gentiles.' The mission to the nations was always God's plan, now activated by Israel's refusal.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Acts 13:46. The Greek text is stable across the major manuscripts, with minor differences in word order or conjunction (τε / δέ) that do not affect meaning. The reading is well established.
Reception History
From the early church onward, Acts 13:46 was read as the apostolic warrant for a worldwide mission. Chrysostom and other Fathers saw in Paul's turn to the Gentiles a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and a model for proclaiming the gospel courageously in the face of rejection. During the Reformation, Calvin highlighted the Jews' self-deprivation as a sobering warning against treating God's grace with contempt. In modern missiology, the verse is cited to illustrate the principle that gospel priority (based on relationship or history) must not become gospel entitlement, when the word is thrust away, the messenger must look for those who will receive it. Across traditions, the verse has been treasured as the hinge opening the door to the nations.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The priority of the Jews, God's plan first to Israel fulfills promise and command (Luke 24:47; Romans 1:16).
- The rejection and self-judgment, By thrusting aside the word, the Jews deem themselves unworthy; their actions pass sentence.
- The pivot to the Gentiles, The rejection opens the door for the nations, fulfilling Isaiah 49:6.
Five-point outline
- Boldness in opposition, The aorist participle παρρησιασάμενοι (having spoken boldly) shows courage, not fear (Proverbs 28:1).
- The necessary order, First to the Jew, rooted in Christ's own mission.
- The nature of rejection, Not passive neglect but violent thrusting away (ἀπωθεῖσθε).
- Self-imposed judgment, Their actions declare them unworthy; God takes them at their word.
- The new direction, Turning to the Gentiles is not a retreat but an advance into God's global purpose.
Illustration hooks
- The unopened gift, Someone receives a costly present but refuses to open it. The refusal communicates more than words: 'I don't want what you offer.' The Jews' rejection of the gospel was that sort of action.
- The patient physician, A doctor who treats a patient first out of respect for their history, only to have the medicine refused. The physician then turns to others who will accept treatment. This is not abandonment but redirection.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do we know when to keep sharing the gospel with someone and when to move on?
- Does this verse mean God gives up on people permanently?
- What about Jewish people today, does 'first to the Jew' still apply?
Leading a Discussion
Acts 13:46 marks a turning point in the early church's mission. Paul and Barnabas, facing fierce opposition, declare that the Jews have judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. The group's discussion will explore what that means and how it applies today.
Discussion questions
- What does the phrase 'waxed bold' (παρρησιασάμενοι) tell you about Paul and Barnabas's state of mind? How does the crowd's reaction (v.45) shape their response?
- In what sense was it 'necessary' that the word be spoken to the Jews first? Where do you see this priority elsewhere in the New Testament?
- Read the phrase 'judge yourselves unworthy.' Barnes says the Jews thought just the reverse, they considered themselves worthy. What does it mean to pass judgment on yourself by your actions?
- Vincent notes that ἀπωθεῖσθε means 'thrust away,' not simply 'put away.' How does the force of the word change your understanding of their rejection?
- Paul says 'behold, we turn to the Gentiles.' What does this tell you about the nature of God's mission? Was this a failure of the gospel or a fulfillment of it?
- Some Christians struggle with when to persist in sharing their faith and when to move on. What principles does this passage offer for that decision?
- How does this verse challenge or encourage you personally in your own response to God's word?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 32:9 | Yahweh said to Moses, “I have seen these people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people. |
| Exodus 32:10 | Now therefore leave me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them, and that I may consume them; and I will make of you a great nation.” |
| Deuteronomy 32:21 | They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God. They have provoked me to anger with their vanities. I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people. I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. |
| Proverbs 28:1 | The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion. |
| Isaiah 49:5 | Now Yahweh, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, says to bring Jacob again to him, and to gather Israel to him, for I am honorable in Yahweh’s eyes, and my God has become my strength. |
| Isaiah 49:8 | Yahweh says, “I have answered you in an acceptable time. I have helped you in a day of salvation. I will preserve you and give you for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritage, |
| Isaiah 55:5 | Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you, because of Yahweh your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified you.” |
| Matthew 10:6 | Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights the boldness of Paul and Barnabas as a powerful, persuasive eloquence grounded in eternal truth and undeniable facts. He then focuses on the phrase "judge yourselves unworthy," suggesting it may be strong irony or that the Jews' own contempt for the gospel constitutes a self-imposed judgment God now ratifies by turning to the Gentiles.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that when sinners reject the gospel, their conduct itself passes judgment on them, showing they are unfit for salvation. He also observes that ministers are right to turn their efforts elsewhere once people have deliberately and solemnly refused God's offer.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin notes that the apostles initially handled the Jews gently but turned to stern excommunication only after Christ was openly rejected. He draws a principle: believers
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator draws attention to the phrase "judge yourselves unworthy," explaining that the Jews declared their own unworthiness through their refusal, just as those invited to the wedding feast in Matthew 22 proved themselves unworthy by declining the call. The priority of preaching to the Jews was necessary because Christ came first to His own, but rejection opened the way to all who would receive.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Then Paul and Barnabas spake boldly, and sayde, It was necessarie that the woorde of God shoulde first haue beene spoken vnto you: but seeing yee put it from you, and iudge your selues vnworthie of euerlasting life, loe, we turne to the Gentiles.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that the Jews’ rejection of the Gospel was not a humble confession of unworthiness but an act that passed sentence on themselves. By despising the means of salvation, they effectively judged themselves unworthy to have it offered to them any longer.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the solemn, final tone of Paul and Barnabas's declaration to the Jews. They stress that the command of Christ required the word to be spoken first to the Jews. When the Jews reject it, they are passing judgment on themselves as unworthy of eternal life.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that this account defends Paul against Jewish critics who accused him of rashly turning to the Gentiles. He shows that Paul proceeded with deliberate caution and careful consideration before taking that step, as this very episode demonstrates.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent argues that the common translation "put" is too weak for the Greek word, which actually means a violent rejection. He prefers the Revised Version's "thrust" to capture that force. He also notes that the word "Lo" signals a moment of crisis in the passage.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley stresses that Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles not because they gave up preaching to Jews everywhere, but because the Jews at Antioch had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life by rejecting the Gospel. This public rebuke and the shift in focus were a direct response to that self-imposed judgment.