Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 13

At Antioch there were five “prophets and teachers” in the church. The Greek suggests that Barnabas, Simeon, and Lucius were prophets, and Manaen and Saul were teachers—with prophecy here understood to include “forthtelling” as well as “foretelling” and teaching having to do with showing OT relationships and implications. We know Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus who resided in Jerusalem and became a leading figure in the Jerusalem church (4:36–37; 9:27; 11:22–30). He was, as Luke tells us, “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (11:24) and undoubtedly served as a channel for the truth of the Gospel direct from the Jerusalem congregation. Simeon Niger (meaning “black”) may have come from Africa; he was possibly the Simon from Cyrene of Lk 23:26. As for Lucius and Manaen, we know nothing certain apart from this verse. Lucius of Cyrene was frequently identified in the postapostolic period with Luke the evangelist and author of Acts; but this is not likely, for Luke refrains from identifying himself with Paul’s missionary journeys, except through the occasional use of the pronoun “we.” Manaen is identified as one “who had been brought up with” (GK 5343; lit., a “foster brother” or “intimate friend”) Herod the Tetrarch. This suggests that he had been raised as an adopted brother or close companion of Herod Antipas. As for Saul, we know him from 7:58–8:3; 9:1–30; and 11:25–30.

While Barnabas and Saul were carrying out their activities at Antioch, the Holy Spirit directed that they should be set apart for a special ministry. Luke does not tell us how the Spirit made his will known, though it was probably through a revelation given to one of the believers. Neither does he tell us the nature of the special ministry the two were set apart for, though from what follows it is obvious that we are meant to understand that it was to be a mission to Gentiles. The whole congregation, together with its leaders, was involved in attesting the validity of the revelation received, laid hands on the missioners, and sent them out (cf. 14:27, where the missioners reported back to the whole church). Ultimately, though, Luke insists that Barnabas and Saul were “sent on their way by the Holy Spirit” (v.4). B. The Mission on Cyprus and John Mark’s Departure (13:4–13) The first major outreach of the Gospel from Antioch soon encountered the false prophet Bar-Jesus in Cyprus, just as the first major outreach from Jerusalem ran afoul of Simon the sorcerer in Samaria (cf. 8:9–24). By the manner in which he narrates both events, Luke apparently wanted his readers to see the parallel. Moreover, not only does Luke seem to have been interested in this parallel between these two episodes, he was also interested in showing how great a step forward the mission on Cyprus really was—with its revolutionary implications for the Christian mission to Gentiles and its radical effect on the missioners themselves.

While Barnabas and Saul were carrying out their activities at Antioch, the Holy Spirit directed that they should be set apart for a special ministry. Luke does not tell us how the Spirit made his will known, though it was probably through a revelation given to one of the believers. Neither does he tell us the nature of the special ministry the two were set apart for, though from what follows it is obvious that we are meant to understand that it was to be a mission to Gentiles. The whole congregation, together with its leaders, was involved in attesting the validity of the revelation received, laid hands on the missioners, and sent them out (cf. 14:27, where the missioners reported back to the whole church). Ultimately, though, Luke insists that Barnabas and Saul were “sent on their way by the Holy Spirit” (v.4). B. The Mission on Cyprus and John Mark’s Departure (13:4–13) The first major outreach of the Gospel from Antioch soon encountered the false prophet Bar-Jesus in Cyprus, just as the first major outreach from Jerusalem ran afoul of Simon the sorcerer in Samaria (cf. 8:9–24). By the manner in which he narrates both events, Luke apparently wanted his readers to see the parallel. Moreover, not only does Luke seem to have been interested in this parallel between these two episodes, he was also interested in showing how great a step forward the mission on Cyprus really was—with its revolutionary implications for the Christian mission to Gentiles and its radical effect on the missioners themselves.

Luke now begins the account of the missioners’ outreach to Cyprus, Pamphylia, and the southern portion of Galatia. While the church confirms in its own experience the divine will, identifies itself with God’s purposes and those whom he has called for specific tasks, and releases them from their duties for wider service (cf. v.3), it is God who by his Spirit is in charge of events and sends out his missioners. Thus, being “sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,” they went down to Seleucia on the Mediterranean and sailed from there to the island of Cyprus. Just why they thought of going to Cyprus first in carrying out their mandate we don’t know. But Barnabas was from Cyprus (4:36); and knowing generally the will of God, he and Saul were ready to move from the known to the unknown. Seleucia was the port city of Antioch of Syria, some sixteen miles west of Antioch and four or five miles northeast of the mouth of the Orontes River. It was founded by Seleucus I Nicator, the first king of the Seleucid dynasty, about 300 B. C. in conjunction with the founding of Antioch. Cyprus was an island of great importance from very early times, being situated on the shipping lanes between Syria, Asia Minor, and Greece. In 57 B. C. it was annexed by Rome from Egypt and in 55 B. C. incorporated into the province of Cilicia. In 27 B. C. it became a separate province governed on behalf of the emperor Augustus by an imperial legate. In 22 B. C. Augustus relinquished its control to the senate, and, like other senatorial provinces, it was administered by a proconsul.

Leaving the mainland of Syria, the missionary party sailed to Salamis on the eastern coast of Cyprus, about 130 miles from Seleucia. Salamis was the most important city of the island and the administrative center for its eastern half, though the provincial capital was 90 miles southwest at Paphos. The population of Cyprus was dominantly Greek, but many Jews lived there as well. Thus Barnabas and Saul began their mission in the synagogues of the city, and John Mark was with them as their helper.