Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

ACTS 13:40KJV
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Acts 13:40 (KJV)

What does Acts 13:40 mean?

Acts 13:40 is a warning to the listeners to pay attention, so that what was foretold by the prophets does not happen to them. The speaker is urging the audience to be careful and not ignore the message being given, referencing warnings from the Hebrew prophets.

In this scene, Paul is speaking in a synagogue to a Jewish audience during his travels. He has just finished explaining how Jesus fulfills God’s promises, and now he cautions them not to make the same mistakes as people in the past who ignored God’s warnings. Paul is connecting his message to the authority of the prophets, reminding his listeners that ignoring God’s word has had serious consequences before.

The Greek behind Acts 13:40

  • "Beware" (βλέπετε, blepete): This Greek word means to watch out or be on guard. Paul is not just giving advice; he is urging his listeners to be alert and take this warning seriously.
  • "Come upon" (ἐπέλθῃ, epelthē): This word carries the sense of something arriving or happening to someone, often unexpectedly. Paul is warning that what the prophets spoke about could actually happen to his audience if they are not careful.
  • "Prophets" (προφῆται, prophētai): Refers to the recognized messengers of God in the Hebrew Scriptures. Paul’s use of this word ties his warning directly to respected religious authority, making his caution more weighty for his Jewish listeners.

Why Acts 13:40 matters

  • Acts 13:40 helps clarify that Paul’s message is not new or disconnected from Jewish tradition; he is grounding his warning in the words of the prophets, showing continuity with their teachings.
  • This verse emphasizes personal responsibility—listeners are urged to actively heed the message, not just passively hear it.
  • The warning sets up the next verse, where Paul quotes a specific prophecy, making it clear that ignoring God’s message has real consequences, just as it did in the past.

Where else these words appear

“come” Greek G1904 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
  • Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
  • Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

“of” Greek G2046 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
  • Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

“Beware” Greek G991 · used in 119 verses

  • Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
  • Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
  • 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

“prophets” Greek G4396 · used in 143 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Luke 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
  • Acts 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.