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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_13:48-52
48When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. 50But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Act_13:48 "When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord" Many of these had been in the synagogue for years and had never heard the inclusive, universal message of God's love and acceptance of all humanity by faith in Messiah. When they heard it they enthusiastically received it (cf. Act_28:28) and passed it on to others (cf. Act_13:49).
▣ "as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" This is a clear statement of predestination (so common in the rabbis' and Intertestamental Jewish literature), but it is in the same ambiguous relationship as all NT passages that relate to the paradox of God's choice and human's free will (cf. Php_2:12-13). It is a pluperfect passive periphrastic that comes from a military term (tassô) which means to "enroll" or "appoint."
This concept of enrolling refers to the two metaphorical books that God keeps (cf. Dan_7:10; Rev_20:12). First is the Book of the Deeds of men (cf. Psa_56:8; Psa_139:16; Isa_65:6; and Mal_3:16). The other is the Book of Life (cf. Exo_32:32; Psa_69:28; Isa_4:3; Dan_12:1; Luk_10:20; Php_4:3; Heb_12:23; Rev_3:5; Rev_13:8; Rev_17:8; Rev_20:12-15; Rev_21:27). See Special Topic: Election/Predestination and the Need for a Theological Balance at Act_2:47.
Act_13:50 "But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence" This text gives historical and cultural setting of the exalted place of women in Asia Minor in the first century (cf. Act_16:14; Act_17:4).
In this context it refers to proselytes to Judaism who were also leaders in the community or were married to the civic leaders. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol. 3, p. 201, makes the point that Gentile women were greatly attracted to Judaism (cf. Strabo Act_7:2 and Juvenal 6:542) because of its morality.
▣ "instigated a persecution against Paul" Paul refers to this in 2Ti_3:11.
Act_13:51 "they shook off the dust of their feet" This is a Jewish sign of rejection (cf. Mat_10:14; Mar_6:11; Luk_9:5; Luk_10:11). It is uncertain whether this refers to (1) dust on their feet and sandals from walking or (2) dust on their robes which was kicked up when they were working.
▣ "Iconium" This was a major city of Lycaonia, located in the Roman province of Galatia. It was about eighty miles east, south-east of Pisidian Antioch and directly north of Lystra.
Act_13:52 "continually filled with joy" This is an imperfect passive indicative which can mean the beginning of an action or the repeat of an action in past time. The NASB, 1995 update, takes it in the second sense. Only the Holy Spirit can give joy amidst persecution (cf. Rom_5:3; Jas_1:2 ff; 1Pe_4:12 ff).
The phrase "the disciples" is ambiguous. Does it refer to the new believers, the missionary team, or both?
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