Acts 13:47
New International Version
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “’I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

New Living Translation
For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”

English Standard Version
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
For thus the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you for a light of the Gentiles, you to be for salvation to the uttermost part of the earth.'"

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE APPOINTED YOU AS A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”

NASB 1995
“For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”

NASB 1977
“For thus the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”

Amplified Bible
For that is what the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, SO THAT YOU MAY BRING [the message of eternal] SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”

Christian Standard Bible
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. ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.”

American Standard Version
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Contemporary English Version
The Lord has given us this command, "I have placed you here as a light for the Gentiles. You are to take the saving power of God to people everywhere on earth."

English Revised Version
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Lord gave us the following order: 'I have made you a light for the nations so that you would save people all over the world.'"

Good News Translation
For this is the commandment that the Lord has given us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, so that all the world may be saved.'"

International Standard Version
For that is what the Lord ordered us to do: 'I have made you a light to the gentiles to be the means of salvation to the very ends of the earth.'"

Majority Standard Bible
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.’”

NET Bible
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have appointed you to be a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

New Heart English Bible
For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, 'I have set you as a light to the nations, that you may bring salvation to the farthest part of the earth.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldst be for salvation to the ends of the earth.

Weymouth New Testament
For such is the Lord's command to us. "'I have placed Thee,' He says of Christ, 'as a light to the Gentiles, in order that Thou mayest be a Saviour as far as the remotest parts of the earth.'"

World English Bible
For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for so the LORD has commanded us: I have set you for a light of nations—for your being for salvation to the end of the earth.”

Berean Literal Bible
For thus the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you for a light of the Gentiles, you to be for salvation to the uttermost part of the earth.'"

Young's Literal Translation
for so hath the Lord commanded us: I have set thee for a light of nations -- for thy being for salvation unto the end of the earth.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For so has the Lord commanded us, I have set thee for a light of the nations, for thee to be for salvation even to the last of the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For so the Lord hath commanded us: I have set thee to be the light of the Gentiles; that thou mayest be for salvation unto the utmost part of the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For so has the Lord instructed us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

New American Bible
For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For so has our Lord commanded us, as it is written, I have set you to be a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For so our Lord commanded us just as it is written: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles to be life unto the ends of The Earth.'”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For thus has the Lord given us commandment: I have placed thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be for salvation to the most distant part of the earth.

Godbey New Testament
For thus the Lord has commanded us, I have placed thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou shalt be for salvation unto the extremity of the earth.

Haweis New Testament
For so hath the Lord enjoined us, “I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mightest be for salvation unto the extremity of the earth.”

Mace New Testament
for thus has the Lord commanded us, "I have appointed you to be a light to the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the remotest parts of the earth."

Weymouth New Testament
For such is the Lord's command to us. "'I have placed Thee,' He says of Christ, 'as a light to the Gentiles, in order that Thou mayest be a Saviour as far as the remotest parts of the earth.'"

Worrell New Testament
for so hath the Lord commanded us, 'I have set Thee for a Light of the gentiles, that Thou mayest be for salvation to the uttermost part of the earth.'"

Worsley New Testament
for so the Lord hath commanded us, saying, "I have appointed thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation to the utmost part of the earth."

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Gentiles Ask to Hear the Gospel
46Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47For 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.’” 48When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.…

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.”

Luke 2:32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

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,

John 1:4-9
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. / There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. ...

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Romans 11:13
I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:8
Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Psalm 67:1-2
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah / that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.

so.

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Acts 22:21
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

I have.

Acts 26:23
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 42:1,6
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles…

Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

that thou.

Acts 15:14-16
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name…

Psalm 22:27-29
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee…

Psalm 67:2-7
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations…

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Christ Command Commanded Earth Earth' End Ends Enjoined Far Gentiles Light Mayest Nations Order Part Parts Placed Salvation Saviour Shouldest Shouldst Uttermost
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Christ Command Commanded Earth Earth' End Ends Enjoined Far Gentiles Light Mayest Nations Order Part Parts Placed Salvation Saviour Shouldest Shouldst Uttermost
Acts 13
1. Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles.
6. Of Sergius Paulus, and Elymas the sorcerer.
13. Paul preaches at Antioch that Jesus is Christ.
42. The Gentiles believe;
44. but the Jews talked abusively against Paul,
46. whereupon they turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe.
50. The Jews raise a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium.














For this is what the Lord has commanded us
This phrase underscores the divine authority and mandate given to Paul and Barnabas. The word "commanded" in Greek is "ἐντέλλομαι" (entellomai), which implies a direct order or charge. This highlights the seriousness and non-negotiable nature of their mission. Historically, this reflects the early church's understanding that their mission to the Gentiles was not a human initiative but a divine directive. The use of "us" indicates a collective responsibility, emphasizing that this command is not just for Paul and Barnabas but for all believers.

‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles
The imagery of "light" is rich in biblical symbolism, often representing truth, revelation, and divine presence. The Greek word for light is "φῶς" (phos), which conveys the idea of illumination and guidance. In the context of the early church, this phrase signifies the role of believers as bearers of the Gospel to those in spiritual darkness. Historically, this reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, particularly Isaiah 49:6, where the servant of the Lord is called to be a light to the nations. This phrase underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel, breaking the boundaries of ethnic and cultural divisions.

to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
The phrase "to bring salvation" indicates the purpose of the light, which is to offer deliverance and redemption. The Greek word for salvation is "σωτηρία" (soteria), which encompasses rescue, safety, and preservation. This reflects the comprehensive nature of the Gospel's saving power. "To the ends of the earth" emphasizes the universal scope of the mission. It is a call to global evangelism, transcending geographical and cultural barriers. This phrase echoes the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8, reinforcing the church's mission to reach every corner of the world with the message of Christ. Historically, this was a radical concept, as it challenged the Jewish-centric view of God's covenant, opening the way for Gentiles to become part of God's people.

(47) I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles.--The context of the quotation has to be remembered as showing that St. Paul identified the "Servant of the Lord" in Isaiah 49:6 with the person of the Christ. (See Note on Acts 4:27.) The citation. is interesting as the first example of the train of thought which led the Apostle to see in the language of the prophets, where others had found only the exaltation of Israel, the divine purpose of love towards the whole heathen world. It is the germ of the argument afterwards more fully developed in Romans 9:25; Romans 10:12.

Verse 47. - For a light for to be a light, A.V.; the uttermost part for the ends, A.V. The quotation is from the LXX. (Cod. Alex.) of Isaiah 49:6. Compare the frequent quotations by St. Paul from Isaiah in Romans 15. The additional words which appear in the LXX., εἰς διαθήκην γένους, have no counterpart in the Hebrew, and are probably corrupt. The application of the passage is, God declared his purpose by Isaiah, that his Servant Messiah should be the Light and Salvation of the Gentiles, and we are commissioned to give effect to that purpose by our preaching.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

this is what
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

has commanded
ἐντέταλται (entetaltai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1781: To give orders (injunctions, instructions, commands). From en and the base of telos; to enjoin.

us:
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

‘I have made
Τέθεικά (Tetheika)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

you
σε (se)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

a light
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

for [the] Gentiles,
ἐθνῶν (ethnōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

to bring
εἶναί (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

salvation
σωτηρίαν (sōtērian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4991: Feminine of a derivative of soter as noun; rescue or safety.

to
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

[the] ends
ἐσχάτου (eschatou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth.’”
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.


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