Acts 13:47

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Paul and Barnabas, having been rejected by the Jewish audience, declare their turn to the Gentiles. They cite a divine command as their warrant.

The words — ἐντεταλται (entetaltai, "has commanded") is perfect passive, marking a standing order rather than a one-time instruction. τεθεικα (tetheika, "I have set") is perfect active, indicating a completed, enduring placement.

The thread — The quotation is drawn from Isaiah 49:6; the same "light to the Gentiles" language appears in Isaiah 42:6 and Luke 2:32.

Why it lands — The verse removes ambiguity about who the message is for after rejection: the scope is the ends of the earth, and the reader stands on one side of that line or the other.

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

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Cross-references

Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Isaiah 42:6 “I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,
Luke 2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
Isaiah 45:22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Zechariah 8:20 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Peoples will yet come—the residents of many cities—
Psalms 72:7 May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound until the moon is no more.
Psalms 98:2 The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations.
Psalms 117:1 Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples!
Isaiah 2:1 This is the message that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
Isaiah 24:13 So will it be on the earth and among the nations, like a harvested olive tree, like a gleaning after a grape harvest.