Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
43. Who speaking. The sense is doubtful. For it may be referred unto the Jews and proselytes, that they exhorted Paul and Barnabas that they should not faint, but stand stoutly in the grace of God. Neither did they want occasion; for they saw combats prepared for them; and that therefore they had need of invincible constancy to suffer and abide the brunts of the contrary faction.
Those Jews who left the synagogue confessed their unbelief as plainly as believers confess their faith by staying. They stopped their ears like the deaf adder, resolved not to be convinced. God never leaves any until they first leave Him.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 13:42-52
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold,.... They were not at all daunted at the opposition they met with, but rather grew more courageous, and used great liberty of speech, and spoke out freely, plainly, and openly: and said, it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you; as it was by Christ and his apostles, whilst he was on...