Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 13:17

"The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it." — Acts 13:17 (ASV)

The God of this people. Who has manifested himself as the particular friend and protector of this nation. This implied a belief that he had been particularly their God; a favorite doctrine of the Jews, and one that would win their favor toward Paul.

Of Israel. The Jews.

Chose our fathers. He selected the nation to be a chosen and special people to himself (Deuteronomy 7:6–7).

And exalted the people. He raised them up from a low and depressed state of bondage. He elevated them from a prostrate state of slavery to freedom, and to special privileges as a nation.

When they dwelt as strangers in Egypt. en th paroikia. This properly refers to their dwelling there as foreigners. They were always strangers there, in a strange land. It was not their home. They never mingled with the people, never became integral parts of the government, and never united with their customs and laws.

They were a foreign, separate, depressed people there; not less so than Africans are strangers and foreigners, and a depressed and degraded people in this land [U.S.] (Genesis 36:7; Exodus 6:4; Exodus 22:21; Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:19).

And with a high arm. This expression denotes great power. The arm denotes strength, as it is the means by which we perform actions. A high arm, an arm lifted up or stretched out, denotes that strength exerted to the utmost.

The children of Israel are represented as having been delivered with an outstretched arm (Deuteronomy 26:8; Exodus 6:6). Also, with a strong hand (Exodus 6:1). Reference is made in these places to the plagues inflicted on Egypt by which the Israelites were delivered, to their passage through the Red Sea, to their victories over their enemies, etc.