Act 13:0-14 | NET2full | STEP | Now there were these prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch: Barnabas , Simeon called Niger , Lucius the Cyrenian , Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch from childhood ) and Saul .

‏ Acts 13:1-14

The Church at Antioch Commissions Barnabas and Saul

1 Now there were these prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch: ^{▼▼sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia).} Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, ^{▼▼sn Simeon may well have been from North Africa, since the Latin loanword Niger refers to someone as “dark-complexioned.”} Lucius the Cyrenian, ^{▼▼sn The Cyrenian refers to a native of the city of Cyrene, on the coast of northern Africa west of Egypt.} Manaen (a close friend of Herod ^{▼▼sn Herod is generally taken as a reference to Herod Antipas, who governed Galilee from 4 b.c. to a.d. 39, who had John the Baptist beheaded, and who is mentioned a number of times in the gospels.} the tetrarch ^{▼▼tn Or “the governor.”} ^{▼▼sn A tetrarch was a ruler with rank and authority lower than a king, who ruled only with the approval of the Roman authorities. This was roughly equivalent to being governor of a region. Several times in the NT, Herod tetrarch of Galilee is called a king (Matt 14:9, Mark 6:14-29), reflecting popular usage.} from childhood ^{▼▼tn Or “(a foster brother of Herod the tetrarch).” The meaning “close friend from childhood” is given by L&N 34.15, but the word can also mean “foster brother” (L&N 10.51). BDAG 976 s.v. σύντροφας states, “pert. to being brought up with someone, either as a foster-brother or as a companion/friend,” which covers both alternatives. Context does not given enough information to be certain which is the case here, although many modern translations prefer the meaning “close friend from childhood.”}) and Saul. 2 While they were serving ^{▼▼tn This term is frequently used in the LXX of the service performed by priests and Levites in the tabernacle (Exod 28:35, 43; 29:30; 30:20; 35:19; 39:26; Num 1:50; 3:6, 31) and the temple (2 Chr 31:2; 35:3; Joel 1:9, 13; 2:17, and many more examples). According to BDAG 591 s.v. λειτουργέω 1.b it is used “of other expression of religious devotion.” Since the previous verse described the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch, it is probable that the term here describes two of them (Barnabas and Saul) as they were serving in that capacity. Since they were not in Jerusalem where the temple was located, general religious service is referred to here.} the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart ^{▼▼tn Or “Appoint.”} for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, after they had fasted ^{▼▼tn The three aorist participles νηστεύσαντες (nēsteusantes), προσευξάμενοι (proseuxamenoi), and ἐπιθέντες (epithentes) are translated as temporal participles. Although they could indicate contemporaneous time when used with an aorist main verb, logically here they are antecedent. On fasting and prayer, see Matt 6:5, 16; Luke 2:37; 5:33; Acts 14:23.} and ^{▼▼tn Normally English style, which uses a coordinating conjunction between only the last two elements of a series of three or more, would call for omission of “and” here. However, since the terms “fasting and prayer” are something of a unit, often linked together, the conjunction has been retained here.} prayed and placed their hands ^{▼▼sn The placing of hands on Barnabas and Saul (traditionally known as “the laying on of hands”) refers to an act picturing the commission of God and the church for the task at hand.} on them, they sent them off.

Paul and Barnabas Preach in Cyprus

4 So Barnabas and Saul, ^{▼▼tn Grk “they”; the referents (Barnabas and Saul) have been specified in the translation for clarity.} sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, ^{▼▼sn Seleucia was the port city of Antioch in Syria.} and from there they sailed to Cyprus. ^{▼▼sn Cyprus was a large island in the Mediterranean off the south coast of Asia Minor.} 5 When ^{▼▼tn Grk “And when.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.} they arrived ^{▼▼tn The participle γενόμενοι (genomenoi) is taken temporally.} in Salamis, ^{▼▼sn Salamis was a city on the southeastern coast of the island of Cyprus. This was a commercial center and a center of Judaism.} they began to proclaim ^{▼▼tn The imperfect verb κατήγγελλον (katēngellon) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.} the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. ^{▼▼sn See the note on synagogue in 6:9.} (Now they also had John ^{▼▼sn John refers here to John Mark (see Acts 12:25).} as their assistant.) ^{▼▼tn The word ὑπηρέτης (hupēretēs) usually has the meaning “servant,” but it is doubtful John Mark fulfilled that capacity for Barnabas and Saul. He was more likely an apprentice or assistant to them.} ^{▼▼sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.} 6 When they had crossed over ^{▼▼tn Or “had passed through,” “had traveled through.”} the whole island as far as Paphos, ^{▼▼sn Paphos. A city on the southwestern coast of the island of Cyprus. It was the seat of the Roman proconsul.} they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus, ^{▼▼sn Named Bar-Jesus. “Jesus” is the Latin form of the name “Joshua.” The Aramaic “bar” means “son of,” so this man was surnamed “son of Joshua.” The scene depicts the conflict between Judaism and the emerging new faith at a cosmic level, much like the Simon Magus incident in Acts 8:9-24. Paul’s ministry looks like Philip’s and Peter’s here.} 7 who was with the proconsul ^{▼▼sn The proconsul was the Roman official who ruled over a province traditionally under the control of the Roman senate.} Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. The proconsul ^{▼▼tn Grk “This one”; the referent (the proconsul) is specified in the translation for clarity.} summoned ^{▼▼tn Grk “summoning Barnabas and Saul, wanted to hear.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesamenos) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.} Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear ^{▼▼sn The proconsul…wanted to hear the word of God. This description of Sergius Paulus portrays him as a sensitive, secular Gentile leader.} the word of God. 8 But the magician Elymas ^{▼▼tn On the debate over what the name “Elymas” means, see BDAG 320 s.v. ᾿Ελύμας. The magician’s behavior is more directly opposed to the faith than Simon Magus’ was.} (for that is the way his name is translated) ^{▼▼sn A parenthetical note by the author.} opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul ^{▼▼sn The proconsul was the Roman official who ruled over a province traditionally under the control of the Roman senate.} away from the faith. 9 But Saul (also known as Paul), ^{▼▼sn A parenthetical note by the author.} filled with the Holy Spirit, ^{▼▼sn This qualifying clause in the narrative indicates who represented God in the dispute.} stared straight ^{▼▼tn Or “gazed intently.”} at him 10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and all wrongdoing, ^{▼▼tn Or “unscrupulousness.”} you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness—will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? ^{▼▼sn “You who…paths of the Lord?” This rebuke is like ones from the OT prophets: Jer 5:27; Gen 32:11; Prov 10:7; Hos 14:9. Five separate remarks indicate the magician’s failings. The closing rhetorical question of v. 10 (“will you not stop…?”) shows how opposed he is to the way of God.} 11 Now ^{▼▼tn Grk “And now.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.} look, the hand of the Lord is against ^{▼▼tn Grk “upon,” but in a negative sense.} you, and you will be blind, unable to see the sun for a time!” Immediately mistiness ^{▼▼sn The term translated mistiness here appears in the writings of the physician Galen as a medical technical description of a person who is blind. The picture of judgment to darkness is symbolic as well. Whatever power Elymas had, it represented darkness. Magic will again be an issue in Acts 19:18-19. This judgment is like that of Ananias and his wife in Acts 5:1-11.} and darkness came over ^{▼▼tn Grk “fell on.”} him, and he went around seeking people ^{▼▼tn The noun χειραγωγός (cheiragōgos) is plural, so “people” is used rather than singular “someone.”} to lead him by the hand. 12 Then when the proconsul ^{▼▼sn See the note on proconsul in v. 8.} saw what had happened, he believed ^{▼▼sn He believed. The faith of the proconsul in the face of Jewish opposition is a theme of the rest of Acts. Paul has indeed become “a light to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:47).} because he was greatly astounded ^{▼▼tn The translation “greatly astounded” for ἐκπλησσόμενος (ekplēssomenos) is given by L&N 25.219.} at the teaching about ^{▼▼tn Grk “of,” but this could give the impression the Lord himself had done the teaching (a subjective genitive) when actually the Lord was the object of the teaching (an objective genitive).} the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas at Pisidian Antioch

13 Then Paul and his companions put out to sea ^{▼▼tn BDAG 62 s.v. ἀνάγω 4, “as a nautical t.t. (ἀ. τὴν ναῦν put a ship to sea), mid. or pass. ἀνάγεσθαι to begin to go by boat, put out to sea.”} from Paphos ^{▼▼sn Paphos was a city on the southwestern coast of the island of Cyprus. See Acts 13:6.} and came to Perga ^{▼▼sn Perga was a city in Pamphylia near the southern coast of Asia Minor. The journey from Paphos to Perga is about 105 mi (175 km).} in Pamphylia, ^{▼▼sn Pamphylia was a province in the southern part of Asia Minor.} but John ^{▼▼sn That is, John Mark.} left them and returned to Jerusalem. ^{▼▼sn Returned to Jerusalem. John Mark had originally accompanied them from Jerusalem (see Acts 12:25). John Mark’s decision to leave became an issue later for Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:36-39).} 14 Moving on from ^{▼▼tn Or “Passing by.”} Perga, ^{▼▼sn Perga was a city in Pamphylia near the southern coast of Asia Minor.} they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, ^{▼▼tn Or “at Antioch in Pisidia.”} ^{▼▼sn Pisidian Antioch was a city in Pisidia about 100 mi (160 km) north of Perga. It was both a Roman colony and the seat of military and civil authority in S. Galatia. One had to trek over the Taurus Mountains to get there, since the city was 3,600 ft (1,100 m) above sea level.} and on the Sabbath day they went into ^{▼▼tn Grk “going into the synagogue they sat down.” The participle εἰσελθόντες (eiselthontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.} the synagogue ^{▼▼sn See the note on synagogue in 6:9.} and sat down.