John 13
Acts 13 is a passage where the first missionary journey of Barnabas and Paul begins in earnest, serving as an important turning point in the overall flow of Acts. In this chapter, we cover the scene in which the Antioch church sends out Paul and Barnabas through the guidance and command of the Holy Spirit (verses 1–3), the preaching of the gospel in Cyprus (verses 4–12), and Paul’s message and the response at Pisidian Antioch (verses 13–52). By dividing it this way, we can clearly see the flow of the gospel spreading from the Jews to the Gentiles.
1verseNow before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2verseDuring supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,
3verseJesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God,
4versearose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5verseThen he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6verseThen he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
7verseJesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”
8versePeter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”
9verseSimon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10verseJesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”
11verseFor he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”
12verseSo when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
13verseYou call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am.
14verseIf I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15verseFor I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.
16verseMost certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him.
17verseIf you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
18verseI don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’
19verseFrom now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he.
20verseMost certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”
21verseWhen Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
22verseThe disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.
23verseOne of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest.
24verseSimon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”
25verseHe, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ chest, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26verseJesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27verseAfter the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
28verseNow nobody at the table knew why he said this to him.
29verseFor some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
30verseTherefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.
31verseWhen he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.
32verseIf God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.
33verseLittle children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you.
34verseA new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.
35verseBy this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
36verseSimon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”
37versePeter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38verseJesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.
The Sending of the Antioch Church (Verses 1–3)
In the introduction to this chapter, the Antioch church is highlighted as establishing and sending out missionaries. The church’s leaders seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance through fasting and prayer, and set apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to send them out as workers. This shows how crucial the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the community’s obedience are to the start of mission.
Mission in Cyprus and the Conversion of the First Gentile Official (Verses 4–12)
Barnabas and Saul travel from Antioch to Cyprus, proclaiming the word of God in the synagogues. A key scene is their encounter with Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, and Elymas (also called Bar-Jesus), who tries to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebukes Elymas, and the proconsul believes after seeing what happened and hearing the teaching about the Lord. This scene shows the message reaching a Gentile official and marks an important stage in the narrative of Acts.
Paul’s Message and the Response at Pisidian Antioch (Verses 13–52)
Then the group moves on to Pisidian Antioch and proclaims the gospel in the synagogue. Paul tells of Israel’s history in the Old Testament, the coming of Jesus, the resurrection, and salvation, and urges the audience to place their faith. Among the Jews, some accept it, but some others stir up opposition and persecution. In response, Paul and Barnabas boldly declare that the gospel must also be carried to the Gentiles. This chapter shows in a balanced way the expansion of gospel proclamation and the responses of Jews and Gentiles.
Meditation Points
- the importance of a life that responds sensitively to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
- the impact that obedience of the faith community and individuals has on mission
- the meaning of the gospel message being delivered to everyone beyond boundaries
Try Applying It to Me
- Am I praying with the community, seeking God’s guidance?
- Do I make an effort to share the gospel not only with people near me, but also with those who feel unfamiliar and far away?
- In the process of sharing the gospel, how am I responding when faced with unexpected opposition and difficulties?
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