Acts 13:3 NIV

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 13:3

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 13:3

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 13:3

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-3

Ordination of Barnabas and Saul. I. THE TRUE WEALTH OF A CHURCH . There were prophets and teachers at Antioch. Nothing is said about its wealth in money, only about its wealth in men. A religious community may possess splendid buildings, wealthy members; may command amply all the external appliances of worship and work; but unless it has men, it has not strength. Intelligence and enthusiasm, piety and genius, constitute the true forces of the Church. Without these, it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-5

An ordination service. This chapter is very interesting, as finding for us the real starting-point of Saul's grand missionary labors; as recording the change of his name to Paul ( Acts 13:9 ); as altering the order hitherto observed in mentioning it, from "Barnabas and Saul" to "Paul and Barnabas" ( Acts 13:2 , Acts 13:8 ; comp. with Acts 13:13 , Acts 13:43 ); and lastly, as forming the commencement of a long sketch of history almost exclusively occupied with his acts and career... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-15

The invasion of heathendom. It has been well remarked that Antioch was the true center of direct missions to the heathen world. An Ethiopian eunuch, and a Roman centurion, had indeed been gathered into the fold of Christ. But they were both closely connected with the land of Judah, and their conversion had not led to any further extension of the gospel of Christ. At Antioch the seed of Christian truth first fell in abundance upon heathen soil; from Antioch first went forth the preachers of... read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-15

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