Paul's First Missionary Journey - In Pisidian Antioch; Acts 13:13 – 52 Part 12

Church History: There was a cheerful attendance upon the preaching of the gospel the next Sabbath day. Almost the whole city (the generality of whom were Gentiles) came together to hear the word of God. It is probable that Paul and Barnabas were not idle in the week-days, but took all opportunities in the week between (as some think the Gentiles desired) to help them become acquainted with Christ, and to raise their expectations from him. They did a great deal of service to the gospel in private discourse and conversation, as well as in their public sermons.
The Jews were enraged at this; and not only would not receive the gospel themselves, but were filled with indignation at those that crowded after it. When the Jews saw the multitudes, and considered what an encouragement it was to Paul to go on in his work when he saw the people flying like doves to their windows, and what probability there was that among these multitudes some would be, without doubt, be drawn to and embrace Christ. This filled them with envy. They begrudged the interest the apostles had in the people, were annoyed to see the synagogue so full when they were going to preach. This was the same spirit that worked in the Pharisees towards Christ; they were cut to the heart when they saw the whole world go after him. When the kingdom of heaven was opened they not only would not go in themselves, but were angry with those that did. They opposed the doctrine the apostles preached: They spoke against those things that were spoken by Paul, quibbled at them, started objections against them, finding some fault or other with everything he said, contradicting and blaspheming. They did it with the utmost spite and rage imaginable: they persisted in their contradiction, and nothing would silence them, they contradicted for contradiction-sake, and denied that which was most evident; and, when they could find no color of objection, they broke out into ill language against Christ and his gospel, blaspheming him and it. From the language of the
carnal man that receives not the things of the Spirit of God, and therefore contradicts them, they proceed to the language of
incarnate devils, and blaspheme them. Commonly those who begin with contradicting end with blaspheming.