Acts 13:51 (KJV)

What does Acts 13:51 mean?

Acts 13:51 describes how Paul and Barnabas, after being rejected by the people in one city, shook the dust off their feet as a sign against them and then traveled on to Iconium. This action showed that they were separating themselves from those who had refused their message, treating the rejection as final and moving forward.

In this verse, Paul and Barnabas are leaving Antioch in Pisidia after facing opposition from some of the Jewish leaders and townspeople. Shaking the dust off their feet was a symbolic gesture in Jewish culture, often used when leaving a place that had rejected God’s message, to show that they were not responsible for what happened there. The verse marks a turning point, as the missionaries continue their journey to spread their message elsewhere.

The Greek behind Acts 13:51

• ἐκτινάσσω (ektinassō, "shook off"): This Greek word means to shake off or remove something forcefully. Here, it highlights the deliberate and public nature of Paul and Barnabas’s action, making clear their break from those who rejected them.
• κονιορτός (koniortos, "dust"): The word refers to literal dust or dirt. In this context, it emphasizes the completeness of the separation—Paul and Barnabas are leaving behind even the smallest trace of the city.
• ἐπ᾽ (epi, "against"): This preposition shows that the gesture was not just about leaving, but was done as a testimony or statement against those who had rejected their message.

Why Acts 13:51 matters

• Acts 13:51 clarifies that the missionaries did not linger where their message was unwelcome, but moved on without bitterness, following a pattern Jesus had taught his disciples.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of rejecting the message Paul and Barnabas brought, showing that such rejection had real consequences.
• This moment connects to the broader theme in Acts of the gospel moving beyond one group or place, spreading to new cities and people when it is not received.