Acts 13:24

Verse

Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

American Standard Version (1901)

when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

For whose coming John made ready the way by preaching to all the people of Israel the baptism which goes with a change of heart.

Douay-Rheims 1899

John first preaching, before his coming, the baptism of penance to all the people of Israel.

Free Bible Version

Before Jesus came, John announced the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Geneva Bible 1599

When Iohn had first preached before his coming the baptisme of repentance to all the people of Israel.

King James (Authorized) Version

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Plain English Version

But before Jesus came, John the Baptiser came and talked to us Israel people. He said, ‘Stop doing bad things. Turn around. Turn back to God, and then I will baptise you.’

Translation for Translators

Before Jesus began his work, John the Baptizer preached to all of our Israeli people who came to him. He told them that they should turn away from their sinful behavior and ask God to forgive them. Then he would baptize them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

This began to happen when, before Jesus came, John first announced the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Noah Webster Bible

John having first preached, before his coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

World English Bible

before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.

Young's Literal Translation

John having first preached, before his coming, a baptism of reformation to all the people of Israel;

Context

In Pisidian Antioch

²³From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.²⁴Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But He is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

Summary

In Acts 13:24, Paul is preaching in a synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, emphasizing the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. He introduces John the Baptist as the forerunner who prepared the way for Jesus, highlighting the importance of recognizing Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. This verse underscores the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and the fulfillment found in Jesus, urging the listeners to embrace the salvation offered through Him. Paul's words serve to connect the historical context of Israel's past with the present reality of Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John - preached - the baptism of repentance - On the nature and effects of John's preaching, see the notes on Mat 3:1, etc., and Luk 3:10-15 (note).

John Gill Bible Commentary

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham,.... This address is made to them in the synagogue, who were Jews by birth, and in a form very grateful and pleasing; he calls them "men", perhaps not only from the common nature of mankind in them, but because they took this name peculiarly to themselves, and denied it to the nations of the world; and which they gather from Eze 34:31 and he styles them "brethren", because they were his countrymen; and "children of the stock of Abraham", with respect to their lineage and descent, and of which they gloried: and whosoever among you feareth God; these were the proselytes among them; See Gill on Act 13:16. to you is the word of this salvation sent; meaning either the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the essential and eternal "Logos", or word of God, and whom the Syriac and Ethiopic versions here style, "the word of life", as in Jo1 1:1 who is the author of salvation, and who was in the first place sent unto the Jews; or rather the Gospel, which gives an account of the author of spiritual and eternal salvation, of his person, and of his manner of obtaining it, and of the nature of salvation, and who the persons are to whom it belongs. The Gospel is not a proposal of terms, by complying with which men may be saved, as faith, repentance, and good works, which are not terms of salvation, but either blessings, parts or fruits of it; but it is a declaration of salvation itself, as being a thing done by Christ; it declares him to be the alone able, willing, and all sufficient Saviour, and the salvation he has wrought out to be a great one, complete, spiritual, and everlasting; and that those that believe in him shall be saved with it. It is the word preaching salvation by him, showing, that he has wrought out an everlasting righteousness for the justification of his people; hence it is sometimes called the word of righteousness; and that he has made peace and reconciliation by the blood of his cross, for which reason it is styled the word of reconciliation; and that eternal life is in him, and by him, and therefore it is called the word of life: for the salvation it publishes includes all the blessings of grace, and everlasting glory, and happiness; it is the means of applying the salvation it declares; the Spirit of God comes by it, who, whilst it is preaching, falls upon, and conveys himself into the hearts of men: regeneration is ascribed to the word of truth; faith comes by hearing; and sanctification is promoted and increased by it, as an instrument; and after men believe in it, they are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise; all which shows what a wonderful blessing the Gospel is: and this was now sent not to the Jews only, though to them in the first place, but to the Gentiles also; the Alexandrian copy, in the two last clauses, instead of "you", reads "us".