Bible Strands
Acts 13:31
and for many days He was seen by those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a synagogue audience in Antioch, speaking immediately after declaring God raised Jesus from the dead and just before announcing the fulfillment of God’s promise to their fathers.
The words — The Greek ὤφθη (ōphthē) literally means "appeared" or "was seen," while συναναβᾶσιν (sunanabasin) denotes those who "accompanied" or "went up with" Him. These terms anchor the post-resurrection visibility to a specific group of travelers.
The thread — This appearance motif connects to Acts 1:3, where Jesus presented Himself with many proofs after suffering, and aligns with Luke 24:48 and Matthew 28:16, which record His post-resurrection appearances to designated followers.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to accept the resurrection as a publicly attested event witnessed by those who traveled with Jesus, rather than a private vision. The text demands that the audience recognize these witnesses as credible validators of the gospel message.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Cross-references
- Luke 24:48 You are witnesses of these things.
- Acts 1:3 After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
- Matthew 28:16 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.
- Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:5 and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.
- Mark 16:12 After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country.
- Luke 24:36 While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
- John 15:27 And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
- John 20:19 It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them.