Bible Strands
Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative records Jewish opponents reacting to Paul’s preaching when large crowds gather to hear the word. They directly contradict his message upon seeing the popular attendance.
The words — The Greek phrase ἐπλήσθησαν ζήλου (eplēsthēsan zēlou) literally renders “they were filled with jealousy.” This verb of complete saturation emphasizes the intensity of their emotional response to the gathering crowds.
The thread — This pattern of religious opposition triggered by popular attention appears in Acts 5:17, Acts 18:6, and Jude 1:10, where jealousy and slander accompany the rejection of apostolic proclamation.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that popular success can provoke hostile religious opposition rather than automatic acceptance. It requires the reader to distinguish between the weight of crowds and the authority of the message being delivered.
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
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Cross-references
- Jude 1:10 These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively.
- Acts 18:6 But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
- Acts 5:17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out
- Acts 19:9 But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.
- Matthew 27:18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
- Acts 17:5 The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?
- 1 Peter 4:4 Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.
- Genesis 37:11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said.