Chapter

Acts 13:31

ESV and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
NIV and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.
NASB and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people.
CSB and he appeared for many days to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
NLT And over a period of many days he appeared to those who had gone with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to the people of Israel.
KJV And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
NKJV He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.

What does Acts 13:31 mean?

The Jewish Scriptures bear witness to God's saving work for the nation of Israel throughout their history. Paul has already given a very short synopsis (Acts 13:16–22). David and John the Baptist bore witness that God would send a Savior to Israel and the world (Acts 13:23–25). Now, Paul explains that he and Barnabas have come to share the witness of those who have met this Savior.

There's no record that, after His resurrection, Jesus made a point of revealing Himself to the Jewish leaders who had Him killed. Instead, He met with those who would tell others who He is and what He came to do. He met first with Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18) and two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35). Mary and the two disciples bore witness to others. Then Jesus met with Peter (Luke 24:34), the Twelve (John 20:19–29) and apparently a crowd of over five hundred (1 Corinthians 15:6).

The point of Jesus' appearances was that His followers would bear witness to His resurrection (Mark 13:9), a point He stressed right before He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:8). When people believe their testimony, they are to train the converts to follow Jesus (Matthew 28:16–20). Barnabas trusted Jesus because of the witness of the apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36–37). Paul asks the people of the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch to trust his own witness. Some will, but many won't.
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