Definition: And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Galatians 2:13. It’s a really important and somewhat complex passage, so we’ll go through it step by step. Here's what it means in plain terms: Imagine a group of Jewish people were arguing about Jesus – they were really focused on him and trying to figure out how he was going to be accepted into their community. They started doing things that seemed like they were trying to "disassemble" or “simplify” his message, meaning they were trying to make it easier for them to ignore or dismiss the core teachings of Jesus. Here’s a breakdown of what's happening: “Galatians 2:13…” : This is the verse we're focusing on. “And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him…” : This means the Jewish people were acting in a similar way – they were trying to make Jesus seem less important or less relevant to them. They were putting things into simpler terms, but in doing so, they were avoiding the real meaning of his message. It was like they were trying to make it easier to ignore what he said. “…insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away…” : This is where it gets a little more complicated. Barnabas was a Jewish leader and friend of Paul. He was caught up in this situation – he felt the need to understand and react to how the Jews were acting. He became involved, perhaps even too involved, in this debate. So, putting it all together: Paul (the author of Galatians) is telling us that the Jewish people were trying to make Jesus seem less important by simplifying his teachings. Barnabas, who was also involved in this process, got carried away and became part of the problem. It highlights a situation where people can be misled by their own desire to understand things – it's important to remember that our own opinions shouldn’t overshadow the truth. The key takeaway is that Paul is warning against being overly focused on details or trying to simplify something so much that you lose its core meaning. In essence, it's a reminder to stay true to the original message of Jesus and not get distracted by superficial arguments. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss the context of this passage (when it happened)? Compare it to another Bible story or concept?