Texts in Conversation
Acts 13:41 quotes the Greek Septuagint translation of Habakkuk 1:5, adapting a specific prophecy about the Chaldeans into a generalized warning against unbelief. While the original context describes an unexpected act of judgment through a foreign power, Acts omits the historical reference and applies it rhetorically.
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LXX Habakkuk 1:5
Septuagint
4 On account of this, the law has been rejected, and judgment is not brought to an end, because an impious person oppresses the righteous; for this reason the judgment will come forth perverted. 5 “Look, you who are despisers, and observe! And marvel at the wonders, and be destroyed! Because I am working a work in your days, which you would not believe if someone were telling you. 6 Because behold, I am awakening the Chaldeans, the cruel and speedy nation that goes over the breadth of the land to possess dwelling places not his own. 7 He is fearful and notable, his judgment will be from himself, and his profit will come from himself.
Date: 1st Century B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Acts 13:41
New Testament
38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by this one everyone who believes is justified from everything from which the law of Moses could not justify you. 40 Watch out, then, that what is spoken about by the prophets does not happen to you: 41 ‘Look, you scoffers; be amazed and perish! For I am doing a work in your days, a work you would never believe, even if someone tells you.’” 42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people were urging them to speak about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and were persuading them to continue in the grace of God.
Date: 75-85 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Other texts serve to explain how Israelite unbelief should not be a surprise but reflects a divine pattern of either Israel’s or humanity’s response to God (Psalm 2:1–2 in Acts 4:25–26; Isaiah 6:9–10 in Acts 28:25–28; the various allusions in Acts 7, where the theme is stated in Acts 7:51–53). According to Stephen (Acts 7), Israel’s misunderstanding of the role of the tabernacle or temple reflects such a pattern. Some texts warn of the danger of unbelief and urge response to the gospel as a result (Deuteronomy 18:19 in Acts 3:23; Leviticus 23:29 in Acts 3:23; Habakkuk 1:5 in Acts 13:41). It is a dangerous thing to scoff at God’s work ..."
Martin, Ralph P.
Dictionary of the Later New Testament & Its Developments
(p. 1189) InterVarsity Press, 1997
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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