Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 13:1

"Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was [there], prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." — Acts 13:1 (ASV)

CHAPTER 13

The church that was at Antioch.

Certain prophets.

And teachers. Teachers are mentioned several times in the New Testament as an order of ministers (1 Corinthians 12:28–29; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Peter 2:11).

Their precise rank and duty are not known. It is probable that those mentioned here as prophets were the same persons as the teachers. They might discharge both offices: predicting future events and instructing the people.

As Barnabas. Barnabas was a preacher (Acts 4:35–36; Acts 9:27; Acts 11:22, 26), and it is likely that the names "prophets and teachers" here simply designate the preachers of the gospel.

Simeon that was called Niger. Niger is a Latin name meaning black. Why this name was given is not known. Nothing more is known of him than what is mentioned here.

Lucius of Cyrene. Cyrene was in Africa.

He is later mentioned as being with the apostle Paul when he wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Romans 16:21).

And Manaen. He is not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament.

Which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch. This refers to Herod Antipas, not Herod Agrippa. Herod was tetrarch of Galilee (Luke 3:1).

The Greek word translated "which had been brought up"—suntrofov—denotes one who is educated or nourished at the same time as another. It is not used elsewhere in the New Testament.

Manaen might have been connected with the royal family. Being nearly the same age as Herod Antipas, he would have been educated with him by Herod's father. He was therefore a man of rank and education, and his conversion shows that the gospel's influence was not entirely confined to the poor.

And Saul. Saul was an apostle, yet he is mentioned here among the "prophets and teachers." This shows that these words denote ministers of the gospel in general, without reference to any particular order or rank.