Seleucia; a sea town of Cilicia, nigh unto Antioch, and over against Cyprus, built by Seleucus, and was a town of some note, but mentioned here only as in their passage to Cyprus. read more
CRITICAL REMARKSActs 13:4. Seleucia.—“Civitas potens, sæpta muris neque in barbarum corrupta sed conditoris Seleucia retinens” (Tac, An., vi. 42). The port of Antioch, three miles west of the city and two hours’ journey from the month of the Orontes, was founded almost contemporaneously with Antioch, B.C. 300, by King Seleucus I. (Nicanor). The harbour is mentioned according to Luke’s custom, Acts 14:25; Acts 16:11; Acts 18:18 (Ramsay).Acts 13:5. Minister.—Attendant, or assistant; in what... read more
Chapter 13Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; Barnabas, Simeon that was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul ( Acts 13:1 ).Interesting the backgrounds of these men. Barnabas was from the island of Cyprus. Simeon who was called Niger, which, of course, is a Roman name. Simeon is Hebrew name. Lucius who was from Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been around Herods, grew up in the royal court.... read more
Acts 13:1 . The church that was at Antioch, which was counted one of the five apostolic churches. It is the true church by way of eminence, the synagogue having degenerated into a state of warfare with the Lord’s people. In this church there were certain prophets and teachers. The same distinction is observed by St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:0. and Ephesians 4:11. Also respecting Barnabas, as may be seen in Acts 4:36; Acts 9:27. And Simeon, surnamed Niger, probably from some swarthy... read more
Acts 13:2-13As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate unto Me Barnabas and Saul.The completion of the apostolateThis act was no conferring of the apostleship by the prophets and teachers; the apostles themselves had received no power from Christ to do that. Both the vocation and its bestowal could only come direct from God. Barnabas and Saul were appointed to fill up the vacant places caused by the execution of James the son of Zebedee, and by the withdrawal of... read more
Acts 13:3-12And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Undying fameHistory has contemptuously obliterated from her annals the names of countless kings, who have set forth from their capitals for the scourge or conquest of nations at the head of armies, and with all the pomp and circumstance of glorious war; but centuries after these conquerors are in their turn forgotten, whom she still deigns to commemorate, she will preserve in the grateful memory... read more
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Ver. 4. Sailed to Cyprus ] This island was anciently for its wealth called Macaria, that is, The Blessed. The people therein generally lived so at ease and pleasure, that thereof the island was dedicated to Venus, who was at Paphos especially worshipped, and much filthiness committed; yet thither are these apostles directed by the Holy Ghost, and a great man (with many others)... read more
being: Acts 20:23 Cyprus: Acts 4:36, Acts 11:19, Acts 27:4 Reciprocal: Jeremiah 23:21 - General Luke 10:2 - the Lord John 14:26 - Holy Ghost Acts 10:20 - for Acts 11:12 - the Spirit Acts 15:36 - in every Acts 15:39 - and sailed Acts 21:3 - Cyprus Romans 15:19 - so that read more
PART THIRD. CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE GENTILES. From Chapter Acts 13:1, to End of Acts. Through the remainder of his work Luke’s subject is the evangelization of the Gentiles, and his hero is Paul. His field is western Asia and Europe; his terminal point is Rome, and the work is the laying the foundation of modern Christendom. At every point, even at Rome, Luke is careful to note the Gospel offer to the Jews, and how the main share reject, and a remnant only is saved. And thus it appears that... read more
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Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:4-12
Acts 13:4-2 Kings : . Successes in Cyprus. Acts 13:4 . went down: the usual phrase in connexion with a seaport.— Seleucia is the port of Antioch, about sixteen miles from it. Acts 13:5 . Salamis is the eastern port of Cyprus.— in the synagogues: this was the natural procedure for a Jew with a message bearing on the faith and on the salvation of his race. Ac. develops later a theory as to Paul’ s practice in addressing Jew and Gentile; the fact as told here may be accepted. What was Mark’ s... read more