Acts 13:47
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.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul and Barnabas cite Isaiah 49:6 — 'I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth' — to justify their turn to the Gentiles after the synagogue at Antioch rejected the gospel. The interpretive move is striking: the apostles apply to themselves language originally addressed to the Servant (Isaiah 49:1–6), suggesting that Christ's mission through the apostolate extends and embodies the Servant's calling. The verse represents Luke's theological program for the movement of Acts — from Jerusalem (1:8) to the ends of the earth — being grounded in specific Isaianic prophecy rather than ad hoc missionary improvisation. The quotation made Isaiah 49:6 the single most important biblical text for early Christian missiology and has shaped every subsequent theology of mission.
Other Translations
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.
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.'
For so the Lord has given us orders, saying, I have given you for a light to the Gentiles so that you may be for salvation to the ends of the earth.
Cross References
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the …
The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of …
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of …
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is …
Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands.
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell …
I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee …
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: …