A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 13

In the church that was there (κατα την ουσαν εκκλησιαν). Possibly distributed throughout the church (note "in the church" 11:26). Now a strong organization there. Luke here begins the second part of Acts with Antioch as the centre of operations, no longer Jerusalem. Paul is now the central figure instead of Peter. Jerusalem had hesitated too long to carry out the command of Jesus to take the gospel to the whole world. That glory will now belong to Antioch.

Prophets and teachers (προφητα κα διδασκαλο). All prophets were teachers, but not all teachers were prophets who were for-speakers of God, sometimes fore-speakers like Agabus in 11:28. The double use of τε here makes three prophets (Barnabas, Symeon, Lucius) and two teachers (Manaen and Saul). Barnabas heads the list (11:22) and Saul comes last. Symeon Niger may be the Simon of Cyrene who carried the Saviour's cross. Lucius of Cyrene was probably one of the original evangelists (11:20). The name is one of the forms of Luke, but it is certainly not Luke the Physician. Manaen shows how the gospel was reaching some of the higher classes (home of Herod Antipas).

Foster-brother (συντροφος). Old word for nourished with or brought up with one

collactaneus (Vulgate). These are clearly the outstanding men in the great Greek church in Antioch.

As they ministered to the Lord (λειτουργουντων αυτων το κυριω). Genitive absolute of λειτουργεω, old verb, used of the Attic orators who served the state at their own cost λεως or λαος, people, and εργον, work or service). Common in the LXX of the priests who served in the tabernacle (Exodus 28:31,39) like λειτουργια (Luke 1:23) which see. So in Heb 10:11. In Ro 15:27 of aiding others in poverty. Here of worship (prayer, exhortation, fasting). The word liturgy grows out of this use.

And fasted (κα νηστευοντων). Genitive absolute also. Christian Jews were keeping up the Jewish fast (Luke 18:12). Note fasting also in the choice of elders for the Mission Churches (Acts 14:23). Fasting was not obligatory on the Christians, but they were facing a great emergency in giving the gospel to the Gentile world.

Separate me (αφορισατε δη μο). First aorist active imperative of αφοριζω, old verb to mark off boundaries or horizon, used by Paul of his call (Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:15). The Greek has δη, a shortened form of ηδη and like Latin jam and German doch, now therefore. It ought to be preserved in the translation. Cf. Luke 2:15; Acts 15:36; 1 Corinthians 6:20. Μο is the ethical dative. As in verse 1 Barnabas is named before Saul. Both had been called to ministry long ago, but now this call is to the special campaign among the Gentiles. Both had been active and useful in such work.

Whereunto (ο). Here εις has to be repeated from εις το εργον just before, "for which" as Jesus sent the twelve and the seventy in pairs, so here. Paul nearly always had one or more companions.

When they had fasted (νηστευσαντες). Either finishing the same fast in verse 2 or another one (Hackett), but clearly a voluntary fast.

Laid their hands upon them (επιθεντες τας χειρας αυτοις). Second aorist active participle of επιτιθημ. Not ordination to the ministry, but a solemn consecration to the great missionary task to which the Holy Spirit had called them. Whether the whole church took part in this ceremony is not clear, though in 15:40 "the brethren" did commend Paul and Silas. Perhaps some of them here acted for the whole church, all of whom approved the enterprise. But Paul makes it plain in Php 4:15 that the church in Antioch did not make financial contribution to the campaign, but only goodwill. But that was more than the church at Jerusalem would have done as a whole since Peter had been arraigned there for his activities in Caesarea (Acts 11:1–18). Clearly Barnabas and Saul had to finance the tour themselves. It was Philippi that first gave money to Paul's campaigns. There were still heathen enough in Antioch, but the church approved the going of Barnabas and Saul, their very best.

So they (αυτο μεν ουν). They themselves indeed therefore. No contrast is necessary, though there is a slight one in verses 5,6. Luke again refers to the Holy Spirit as the source of their authority for this campaign rather than the church at Antioch.

Sent forth (εκπεμφθεντες). Old verb from εκπεμπω and first aorist passive participle, but in the N.T. only here and Ac 17:10.

Sailed (απεπλευσαν). Effective aorist active indicative of αποπλεω, old verb to sail away, depart from. In the N.T. only here and 14:26; 20:15; 27:1. Barnabas was from Cyprus where there were many Jews.

Proclaimed (κατηγγελλον). Imperfect active of καταγγελλω, inchoative, began to proclaim. This was Paul's rule of procedure, "to the Jew first" (Romans 1:16; Acts 13:46; Acts 17:2; 18:4,19; Acts 19:8).

They had also (ειχον δε κα). Imperfect active, descriptive.

As their attendant (υπηρετην). Literally, "under-rower" (υπο, ηρετης) in the trireme. Probably here minister (χαζζαν) or assistant in the synagogue as in Lu 4:20. Cf. Matthew 5:25. It is not clear what John Mark did, though he was evidently selected by Barnabas as his cousin. He may have helped in the baptizing. There were probably others also in the company (verse 13). The "also" may mean that Mark did some preaching. Barnabas was probably the leader in the work in these Jewish synagogues.