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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_13:13-16 a
13Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it." 16Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said,
Act_13:13 "Paul and his companions" Obviously the leadership has changed. From now on in the book of Acts Paul's name will be listed first.
▣ "Perga in Pamphylia" Perga was the largest city of the small Roman coastal province of Pamphylia (mid-southern Turkey). It was located several miles inland to discourage attacks by sea-faring raiders.
Apparently Paul did not preach here at this time, but did so later (cf. Act_14:25). There is no historical evidence of a Christian group in this area for several hundred years. He merely passed through this coastal region.
▣ "John left them and returned to Jerusalem" Luke records this event, but gives no clue as to why (nor does any other NT author). See Introduction to Acts 16, he returned to the Lord's service!
Act_13:14 "Pisidian Antioch" This literally means "Antioch towards Pisidia" because it was located in the ethnic area of Phrygia the Roman Province of Galatia. This was a distinct ethnic group, probably from Europe.
▣ "on the Sabbath day" This would denote from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. The Jews counted time from evening to evening, following Genesis 1.
▣ "sat down" This may be an idiom denoting someone who was to speak in the synagogue. Rabbis always taught while seated (cf. Mat_5:1; Luk_4:20). The synagogues regularly allowed itinerant visitors to speak if they wished (cf. Act_13:15).
Act_13:15 "the reading of the Law and the Prophets" This was the part of the typical order of service in a synagogue in Jesus' day. Originally only the Law of Moses was read, but Antiochus IV Epiphanes forbade this in 163 b.c. The Jews then substituted the reading of the Prophets. During the Maccabeen revolt, Judaism was restored and both the Law and the Prophets were continued to be read together as a basic format of synagogue services (cf. Act_13:27). See Special Topic following.
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▣ "the synagogue officials" These were the men in charge of building maintenance and the order of worship (cf. Luk_8:41; Luk_8:49). They often invited guests to speak.
▣ "if you have any word of exhortation" This is a first class conditional sentence, assumed to be true from the perspective of the author of for his literary purposes. This was a normal aspect of synagogue worship. Paul took full advantage of the opportunity.
Act_13:16 "Paul stood up" Usually Jewish teachers sit when they teach; however, it was the Greco-Roman custom to stand while teaching. Paul modified his manner and presentation to the audience.
▣ "motioning with his hand" Paul gestured for quiet. Luke mentions this eyewitness detail often (cf. Act_12:17; Act_13:16; Act_19:33; Act_21:40).