Day 329

A Light for the Gentiles

Acts 13:13–52

Paul and his companions sailed away from Paphos. They reached the mainland at Pamphilia. There, Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. The apostles traveled inland to another city named Antioch. This was in Pisidia. On the Sabbath, Paul spoke to the Jews in their synagogue. He traced the history of the Jewish people. This history ended with the death of Jesus. Paul told his listeners that Jesus had returned from death.

Almost the whole city gathered the next Sabbath. The Jews saw the crowds and became jealous. They denied that Paul spoke the truth. But Paul and Barnabas were bold. “God wanted his word to come to you first. But you don’t seem to think you’re worthy of eternal life. So we’re going to tell the Gentiles. God has commanded this. He said, ‘You’re to be a light for the Gentiles. Then you can bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad. They praised the word of the Lord. The Lord’s word spread all over the area. But the Jews drove Paul and Barnabas away. So they left, glad to shake Antioch’s dust from their feet.

Questions: What did the jealous Jews say about Paul? Why were the Gentiles in Antioch glad?