Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 13:16

"And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken:" — Acts 13:16 (ASV)

When Jesus addressed the congregation at Nazareth, he read the lesson standing and then sat down to speak (cf. Lk 4:16, 20). Luke, however, portrays Paul as “standing” to address the synagogue worshipers at Pisidian Antioch. Paul’s speech at Pisidian Antioch was probably an exhortation not arising from the passages read that day from the Law or the Prophets. In Paul’s audience were both Jews and “God-fearing” Gentiles. So he addressed both groups: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God.” With a gesture of his hand and with his words, he invited them to listen to him.