Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 13:45

"But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed." — Acts 13:45 (ASV)

They were filled with envy. Greek, zeal. The word here denotes wrath, indignation, that such multitudes should be disposed to hear a message which they rejected, and which threatened to overthrow their religion.

Spoke against. Opposed the doctrine that Jesus was the Messiah; that the Messiah would be humble, lowly, despised, and put to death, etc.

Contradicting. Contradicting the apostles. This was evidently done in their presence (Acts 13:46), and would cause great tumult and disorder.

And blaspheming. See Barnes on Matthew 9:3.

The sense evidently is, that they reproached and vilified Jesus of Nazareth; they spoke of him with contempt and scorn. To speak thus of him is called blasphemy (Luke 22:66).

When men are enraged, they have little regard for the words they utter and little concern for how they may be judged by God. When men attached to sect and party, in religion or politics, have no good arguments to employ, they attempt to overwhelm their adversaries by bitter and reproachful words.

Men in the heat of strife, and in professed zeal for peculiar doctrines, and for sect and party, more frequently utter blasphemy than they are aware. Precious and pure doctrines are often thus vilified because we do not believe them; and the heart of the Saviour is pierced anew, and his cause bleeds by the wrath and wickedness of his professed friends. .