ACTS 13:18 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.”
For about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness — the forty years in the desert represents God's patience (anechomai, to bear with) despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Paul's reference mirrors Psalm 95 and Numbers 14, invoking the wilderness period as a canonical memory of God's sustained care even amid rebellion. The forty-year figure becomes a type for testing and preparation before entering the promised land.
Church Fathers on Acts 13:18
Behold Barnabas giving place to Paul— how should it be otherwise?— to him whom he brought from Tarsus; just as we find John on all occasions giving way to Peter: and yet Barnabas was more looked up to than Paul: true, but they had an eye only to the common advantage. Then Paul stood up, it says — this was a custom of the Jews— and beckoned with his hand. And see how he prepares the way beforehand for his discourse: having first praised them, and showed his great regard for…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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