Limitless Word
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:48 · New King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
  • KJV And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
  • BSB When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
  • NASB When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed.
  • NLT When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

The Gentiles rejoice and glorify God's word, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believe. God's grace produces saving faith.

Overview

The joyful Gentile response stands in stark contrast to the jealous rejection by some Jews. Luke's statement that those appointed to eternal life believed expresses God's sovereign grace in salvation, a truth treasured in the Reformed tradition. Far from cooling evangelism, this assurance fuels it, for God's purpose guarantees that the word will bear fruit.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 26

  • Rom 8:29–30For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
  • Eph 1:4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love;
  • Rom 11:7What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.
  • John 10:26–27But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you.
  • John 10:16I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.
  • John 11:52and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
  • 2 Th 2:13–14But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;
  • Eph 2:5–10even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
  • Acts 22:10I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ The Lord said to me, ‘Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.’
  • Acts 2:41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
  • Eph 1:19and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
  • Rom 15:9–12and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”
  • Luke 7:8For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
  • Acts 28:23When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
  • Rom 13:1Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
  • Acts 2:47praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
  • Ps 138:2I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.
  • Luke 2:10–11The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
  • Acts 20:13But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.
  • Matt 28:16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.
  • Acts 15:2Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
  • 1 Cor 16:15Now I beg you, brothers (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints),
  • Acts 15:31When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
  • Acts 8:8There was great joy in that city.
  • 2 Th 3:1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you;
  • Acts 13:42So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (8)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Acts videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Acts 13:48YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on ActsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.

How Acts 13:48 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.