Discovery BoxActs 13:15 
Context13:15 After the reading from the law and the prophets, 1 the leaders of the synagogue 2 sent them a message, 3 saying, “Brothers, 4 if you have any message 5 of exhortation 6 for the people, speak it.” 7
Acts 13:17
Context13:17 The God of this people Israel 8 chose our ancestors 9 and made the people great 10 during their stay as foreigners 11 in the country 12 of Egypt, and with uplifted arm 13 he led them out of it.
Acts 13:46
Context13:46 Both Paul and Barnabas replied courageously, 14 “It was necessary to speak the word of God 15 to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy 16 of eternal life, we 17 are turning to the Gentiles. 18
1 sn After the reading from the law and the prophets. In the 1st century Jewish synagogue, it was customary after the reading of the Torah (law) and prophets for men to give exhortation from the scriptures.
2 tn Normally ἀρχισυνάγωγος (arcisunagwgo") refers to the “president of a synagogue” (so BDAG 139 s.v. and L&N 53.93). Since the term is plural here, however, and it would sound strange to the English reader to speak of “the presidents of the synagogue,” the alternative translation “leaders” is used. “Rulers” would also be acceptable, but does not convey quite the same idea.
3 tn Grk “sent to them”; the word “message” is an understood direct object. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
4 tn Grk “Men brothers,” but this is both awkward and unnecessary in English.
5 tn Or “word.”
6 tn Or “encouragement.”
7 tn Or “give it.”
8 tn Or “people of Israel.”
9 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”
sn Note how Paul identifies with his audience by referring to our ancestors. He speaks as a Jew. God’s design in history is the theme of the speech. The speech is like Stephen’s, only here the focus is on a promised Son of David.
10 tn That is, in both numbers and in power. The implication of greatness in both numbers and in power is found in BDAG 1046 s.v. ὑψόω 2.
11 tn Or “as resident aliens.”
12 tn Or “land.”
13 sn Here uplifted arm is a metaphor for God’s power by which he delivered the Israelites from Egypt. See Exod 6:1, 6; 32:11; Deut 3:24; 4:34; Ps 136:11-12.
14 tn Grk “Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out courageously and said.” The redundancy is removed in the translation and the verb “replied” is used in keeping with the logical sequence of events. The theme of boldness reappears: Acts 4:24-30; 9:27-28.
15 tn Grk “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken.” For smoothness and simplicity of English style, the passive construction has been converted to active voice in the translation.
16 tn Or “and consider yourselves unworthy.”
17 tn Grk “behold, we.” In this context ἰδού (idou) is not easily translated into English.
18 sn This turning to the Gentiles would be a shocking rebuke to 1st century Jews who thought they alone were the recipients of the promise.
