Acts 13:2-3

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

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted - On Mondays and Thursdays it was usual with the more pious Jews to attend the public service in their synagogues, and to fast: the former is what we are to understand by ministering to the Lord. On the Sabbaths they attended the service in the synagogue, but did not fast. The Greek word, λειτουργουντων , signifies performing the office of praying, supplicating, rendering thanks, etc.: hence the word λειτουργια , liturgy, the work of prayer,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:3

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them - They fasted: this was probably done by the whole Church. They prayed, that God would bless and prosper them in their work. They land hands upon them; thus solemnly appointing them to that particular work. But was it by this fasting, praying, and imposition of hands that these men were qualified for this work? No. God had already called them to it, Acts 13:2 , and he who called them had qualified them. Both their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:2

Verse 2 2And they ministered to the Lord. The word which Luke useth doth not only signify to be occupied about holy things, but also sometimes to bear public offices. And because the holy rites of the Gentiles did for the most part consist upon [of] burnt-offerings and sacrifices, it is oftentimes taken for to offer sacrifice; which sense did well like the Papists, that they might prove that the apostles did use some sacrifice. But admit it were so; yet do they foolishly pretend for defense of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:3

Verse 3 3.When they had fasted and prayed. That they may obey the oracle, they do not only send Paul and Barnabas away; but also with a solemn rite they appoint them to be the apostles of the Gentiles; it is without question that this was a public fast. Luke said before, that they were fasting, forasmuch as they were busied in their ministry: it might be that that was according to the custom; but now there is another reason, for in appointing a public fast, which used to be done in hard matters... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-3

An illustrious Church. Antecedently it might have been expected that the Church of Jerusalem would prove to be the most influential and illustrious of all Christian communities, and that from all lands and ages men would look back to it as the most potent factor in the early history of "our holy religion." But in this respect it must give place to "the Church that was at Antioch." This community was remarkable for four things. I. ITS HUMAN COMPOSITION . ( Acts 13:1 .) Great... read more

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