Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 13:5

"And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant." — Acts 13:5 (ASV)

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.