NOTES for Act 13:47

That the word of God must sound to the ends of the earth was already known from the preaching of the prophets. They were the first to speak of the calling, in the days of the Messiah, of Gentiles who would join the remnant of the Jewish people in order to form with it the new people of God. Only no one expected that the formation of this new people would begin with recent pagans. Logic suggested that the Jews, of course, would be the first to recognize and accept their Messiah, especially since in Gospel times there were many messianic movements among the people, and the question of exactly which of the religious brotherhoods then existing was the true messianic remnant aroused the fiercest disputes. And nevertheless it turned out that it was precisely the Gentiles, those who sought truth in the Synagogue and worshiped the God of Israel, who accepted Him first.

A paradox of spiritual history? Yes, of course, though it had its reasons: unfortunately, religiosity itself turned out to be the heavy burden that made it hard for many Jews to come into the Kingdom. For recent Gentiles who were free from this burden, it was easier, and they overtook many of those who were sure that the Messiah would come to them and for their sake.

But the apostles had no reason to maintain the sequence expected by many of their fellow tribesmen and coreligionists. Of course, in preaching they addressed first of all the Jews, those who should have listened and heard first. But their refusal could not and must not stop the witness to Christ and the Kingdom entrusted to the apostles. For this was not a human matter but God's, and it was not for people to determine the order in which Jews or Gentiles would enter the Kingdom. The apostles' task was to bear witness to what the Savior Himself had already testified: the Kingdom has drawn near, and the way into it is now open to every seeker, whether a Jew or a representative of any other people. And who would go first depended both on God and on the people to whom the Kingdom was offered.

And the apostles were glad to see everyone entering the Kingdom, regardless of nationality or religion. For they were above all people of the Kingdom, and only afterward representatives of their people and their religious community, as witnesses of the Kingdom should be.