Acts 13:45 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

They were filled with envy,— Now that circumstance in the parable, of the elder brother's murmuring at the return of the prodigal son, was remarkably fulfilled. See Luke 15:25; Luke 15:32. The word blasphemy, in this connection with contradicting, must signify their giving them abusive language: Heylin reads,—With abusive language opposed what Paul taught. Probably they charged the apostles to their faces with falsehood and villany, and represented the cause they were carrying on as most contemptible and wicked. It may seem strange, that this did not prevent the conversion of the Gentiles; but through the blessing of God they would easily see it was the regard that Paul and Barnabas expressed for them, which had exasperated the Jews; and it is not improbable, that some miracles might have been wrought during the preceding week, which would see the character of these divine teachers above the danger of being overthrown by the malicious insinuations or confident assertions of those furious opposers.