King James Version

What Does Acts 13:1 Mean?

Acts 13:1 in the King James Version says “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. which: or, Herod's foster brother

Acts 13:1 · KJV


Context

1

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. which: or, Herod's foster brother

2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Certain prophets and teachers (προφῆται καὶ διδάσκαλοι, prophētai kai didaskaloi)—the Antioch church leadership combined the prophetic gift (declaring God's immediate word) with systematic teaching. The five named leaders reflect gospel diversity: Barnabas the Cypriot Levite, Simeon called Niger (Latin 'black,' possibly African), Lucius from Cyrene (North Africa), Manaen (foster-brother of Herod Antipas who beheaded John), and Saul the Pharisee. This multiethnic, socially diverse leadership marks Antioch as the first truly Gentile church, becoming missions headquarters supplanting Jerusalem.

The church that was at Antioch—founded by persecution-scattered believers (Acts 11:19-20), Antioch became Christianity's third great center after Jerusalem and Caesarea. Here believers were first called 'Christians' (11:26), and from here the Spirit launched Paul's missionary journeys.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written around AD 62-64, Luke documents Antioch (Syria's capital, third largest city in the Roman Empire) as the launchpad for Gentile missions. The church had already sent famine relief to Judea (11:27-30). Manaen's connection to Herod Antipas shows gospel penetration into royal circles.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the ethnic and social diversity of Antioch's leadership challenge your church's approach to leadership selection?
  2. What does the combination of prophets and teachers suggest about the balance needed between Spirit-immediacy and doctrinal depth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
Ἦσαν1 of 32

there were

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

δὲ2 of 32

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

τινες3 of 32

certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐν4 of 32

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Ἀντιοχείᾳ5 of 32

Antioch

G490

antioch (antiochia), a place in syria

κατὰ6 of 32

in

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τὴν7 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὖσαν8 of 32

that was

G5607

being

ἐκκλησίαν9 of 32

the church

G1577

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

προφῆται10 of 32

prophets

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

καὶ11 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

διδάσκαλοι12 of 32

teachers

G1320

an instructor (genitive case or specially)

13 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τε14 of 32

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

Βαρναβᾶς15 of 32

Barnabas

G921

son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite

καὶ16 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Συμεὼν17 of 32

Simeon

G4826

symeon (i.e., shimon), the name of five israelites

18 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καλούμενος19 of 32

that was called

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

Νίγερ20 of 32

Niger

G3526

black; niger, a christian

καὶ21 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Λούκιος22 of 32

Lucius

G3066

illuminative; lucius, a christian

23 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Κυρηναῖος24 of 32

of Cyrene

G2956

i.e., cyrenaean, i.e., inhabitant of cyrene

Μαναήν25 of 32

Manaen

G3127

manan, a christian

τε26 of 32

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

Ἡρῴδου27 of 32

with Herod

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

τοῦ28 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τετράρχου29 of 32

the tetrarch

G5076

the ruler of a fourth part of a country ("tetrarch")

σύντροφος30 of 32

which had been brought up

G4939

a fellow-nursling, i.e., comrade

καὶ31 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σαῦλος32 of 32

Saul

G4569

saulus (i.e., shaul), the jewish name of paul


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 13:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 13:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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