Acts 13:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 13:1-3

We have here a divine warrant and commission to Barnabas and Saul to go and preach the gospel among the Gentiles, and their ordination to that service by the imposition of hands, with fasting and prayer. I. Here is an account of the present state of the church at Antioch, which was planted, Acts 11:20. 1. How well furnished it was with good ministers; there were there certain prophets and teachers (Acts 13:1), men that were eminent for gifts, graces, and usefulness. Christ, when he ascended on... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 13:4-13

In these verses we have, I. A general account of the coming of Barnabas and Saul to the famous island of Cyprus; and perhaps thitherward they steered their course because Barnabas was a native of that country (Acts 4:36), and he was willing they should have the first-fruits of his labours, pursuant to his new commission. Observe, 1. Their being sent forth by the Holy Ghost was the great thing that encouraged them in this undertaking, Acts 13:4. If the Holy Ghost send them forth, he will go... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 13:1-3

Acts 13:1-52 ; Acts 14:1-28 tell the story of the first missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas set out from Antioch. Antioch was 15 miles up the River Orontes so that they actually sailed from Seleucia, its port. From there they went across the sea to Cyprus where they preached at Salamis and Paphos. From Paphos they sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. Pamphylia was a low-lying coastal province and they did not preach there because it did not suit Paul's health. They struck inland and came to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 13:1-3

13:1-3 In the local church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. There were Barnabas, and Simeon who is called Niger, and Lucius from Cyrene, and Manaen, who was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. When they were engaged in worshipping God and in fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Come now, set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them in my service." So after they had fasted and prayed they laid their hands on them and let them go. The... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 13:4-12

13:4-12 So when they had been sent out by the Holy Spirit they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed away to Cyprus. When they were in Salamis they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogue of the Jews; and they had John as their helper. They went through the whole island as far as Paphos, and there they found a man who was a dealer in magic, a false prophet and a Jew. His name was Bar-Jesus and he was with the pro-consul Sergius Paulus who was an intelligent man. The pro-consul... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:1

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch ,.... This was Antioch in Syria, where was a Gospel church, and where the disciples were first called Christians; from whence Saul and Barnabas had been sent to Jerusalem, with a supply for the poor saints there, in a time of famine, and from whence they were now returned: and here were certain prophets and teachers ; who were both prophets and teachers, though these are sometimes distinguished; who had both a gift of foretelling things to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord ,.... That is, the five prophets and teachers before mentioned; and whose ministry lay in preaching the Gospel, teaching the people the doctrines of it, and expounding prophecies, and also in prayer; to which latter the Syriac version restrains their ministry, rendering it, "as they prayed to God"; but the phrase seems to be more extensive: "and fasted"; which the Jews were much used to, and the believing ones had not yet left it off; their custom was to fast... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:3

And when they had fasted and prayed ,.... Not when they had done fasting and praying, at the time the Holy Ghost made an impulse on their minds, to separate two of their brethren to a work they were appointed to; but at another time, which was fixed for that purpose; when they fasted and prayed, not for direction, who they were to set apart and send; for the persons were before pointed out to them, but that they might have every needful gift and qualification for the work, and be succeeded... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:4

So they being sent forth of the Holy Ghost ,.... This is said, lest it should be thought they were sent by men; it was the Holy Ghost that moved the prophets at Antioch to separate them from them, and to send them away; and who inclined their minds to go, and directed them what course to steer: and accordingly they departed to Seleucia ; which was a city of Syria, called by Pliny, Seleucia Pieria F4 L. 5. c. 12, 21. ; it had its name from Seleucus Nicanor, king of Egypt, who was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:1

Certain prophets and teachers - Προφηται και διδασκαλοι . It is probable that these were not distinct offices; both might be vested in the same persons. By prophets we are to understand, when the word is taken simply, persons who were frequently inspired to predict future events, and by teachers, persons whose ordinary office was to instruct the people in the Christian doctrine. These also, to be properly qualified for the office, must have been endued with the influence of the Holy... read more

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