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Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 13:3

(3) And when they had fasted and prayed.—The repetition of the words that had been used in Acts 13:2 seems to imply that the fast was prolonged till the laying-on of hands had been completed. The new command called for that intensity of spiritual life of which fasting was more or less the normal condition.And laid their hands on them.—See Note on Acts 6:6. This was, as before, the formal act by which the Church attested its acceptance of the divine mission of those on whom hands were laid, and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 13:1-52

St. Barnabas the Apostle (For St. Barnabas' Day) Acts 13:1-3 We keep today the memory of St. Barnabas the Apostle. These men were not only inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon them this voice of ministration, but they were solemnly consecrated to the ministry of apostleship by the outward ordination by the then rulers of the Church. I. Love for Missionary Work. These words suggest just two or three points first the beginning of missionary work among the Gentiles. These men are... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Acts 13:2-4

Chapter 9ST. PAUL’S ORDINATION AND FIRST MISSIONARY TOUR.Acts 13:2-4; Acts 13:14; Acts 14:1; Acts 14:26We have now arrived at what we might call the watershed of the Acts of the Apostles. Hitherto we have had very various scenes, characters, personages to consider. Henceforth St. Paul, his labours, his disputes, his speeches, occupy the entire field, and every other name that is introduced into the narrative plays a very subordinate part. This is only natural. St. Luke knew of the earlier... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 13:1-52

Part III The Witness to the Gentiles. The Apostle to the Gentiles; his Ministry and Captivity. Chapters 13-28 CHAPTER 13 1. The Divine Choice. Barnabas and Saul separated unto the work (Acts 13:1-3 ). 2. The Beginning of the Journey and the events in Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12 ). 3. The Gospel in Galatia. Paul’s Address (Acts 13:13-41 ). 4. The Gospel rejected by the Jews (Acts 13:42-52 ). The thirteenth chapter is the beginning of the third part of this book. The second great center of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Acts 13:3

13:3 {2} And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.(2) Fasting and solemn prayers were used before the laying on of hands. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:1-52

From this time our attention is drawn particularly to the work of Saul, whose name is in this chapter changed to Paul, meaning "little," for one who is the most greatly used of God is, in his own estimation "less than the least of all saints" (Ephesians 3:8). In verse 1 there is no indication that anyone had a place superior to any other. Five prophets and teachers are mentioned as being in the Antioch assembly, and Saul is in fact listed last. Simeon's name is Jewish, but his last name,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 13:1-3

THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH By connecting the first verse of this lesson with Acts 8:4 , it will be seen that all intervening is a parenthesis, an important one indeed, but making it necessary now to return to the martyrdom of Stephen for a new start. Be sure to consult a map for the localities in Acts 11:19-20 . Antioch, now coming into prominence as the headquarters of the Gentile church, was a beautiful and influential city, but luxurious and immoral. It was founded about 300 B.C. Saul’s great... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 13:1-13

Chapter 39 Prayer Almighty God, upon our hearts do thou write the word of wisdom, and in our memory do thou put the word of instruction. We forget thy commandments, and thy statutes flee away from our recollection. Oh that we might have an inspired memory, so that no word of thine might ever be lost! How rich we might have been in wise words! Our heart might have been as a store-house laden with treasure from heaven. We would that our memory were written all over with thine own hand with laws... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 13:1-4

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (3) And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (4) So they, being sent forth by the Holy... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Acts 13:3

Fasting and prayer, imposing their hands upon them. By which is clearly expressed, the manner in which the ministers of God were, and are still ordained bishops, priests, deacons in the Church. (Witham) --- Interpreters are much divided in opinion, whether this imposition of hands be a mere deputation to a certain employment, or the sacramental ceremony, by which orders are conferred. Sts. Chrysostom, Leo, &c. are of the latter opinion; nor does it any where appear that St. Paul was bishop... read more

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