49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Verses 49-52 show the effect of the apostles’ ministry in Pisidian Antioch; God’s word increased throughout Pisidia. However, the response to the gospel was a mixture of opposition and success.
13:49
And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.
The “region” around Antioch was Pisidia. The gospel spread throughout the general area of Antioch.
13:50
But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
The Jews in Antioch incited some prominent women and “chief men” of Antioch against Paul and Barnabas, forcing the team to flee the city. Many Gentiles were attracted to the synagogue in the first century.
13:51
But they shook off the dust from their feet against them,
Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust from their feet against those who opposed them in Antioch. Dust shaking symbolized ridding themselves of the negative volition toward the gospel in Antioch (Lu 10:10-12). The apostles left most of the Jews in obstinate unbelief.
and came to Iconium.
The team moved from Antioch to Iconium. Iconium was about 45 miles southeast of Pisidian Antioch. The city was at the foot of Mount Taurus. Iconium is the Konya of today. Later, Iconium became a center for the dispersion of the gospel throughout the region, probably because of its strategic location. The city was Hellenistic in culture.
13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Although the city leaders forced Paul and Barnabas to leave Antioch, those who came to Christ were filled with both “joy” and “the Holy Spirit.”
PRINCIPLE:
The gospel forces an inescapable choice.
APPLICATION:
God gave everyone a choice to accept or reject Christ as their Savior.
