Bible Strands
Acts 13:40
Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a synagogue congregation in Pisidian Antioch immediately after explaining that justification comes through Christ rather than the Mosaic law. He issues a concluding warning before closing his sermon.
The words — βλέπετε (blepete) means "do take heed" and introduces the caution. οὖν (oun) functions as "therefore," linking the warning to the preceding argument.
The thread — The warning echoes prophetic judgments found in Malachi 3:2 and Malachi 4:1, where God’s coming brings refiner’s fire and consumes the arrogant. It also sets up the Habakkuk 1:5 quotation that appears in the following verse, Acts 13:41.
Why it lands — The text commands the audience to avoid the fate the prophets warned about. It demands immediate attention to the gospel message before the opportunity passes.
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
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
Cross-references
- Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”
- Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and observe—be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.
- Malachi 3:2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.
- Hebrews 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.
- Hebrews 12:25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
- Matthew 3:9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
- Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
- Isaiah 29:14 Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”