Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

13:1 Prophets and teachers are always distinct offices in the NT church. See note on 1 Cor. 12:10 and other notes on 1 Corinthians 12-14. Niger is Latin for "black," indicating he likely came from Africa, as did the Cyrenean Lucius. (Cyrene was the capital city of Cyrene [sometimes called Cyrenaica], a Roman province in Libya, on the north coast of Africa; see Acts 2:10.) Some have identified Lucius with Luke, but this is unlikely, since Luke is Greek and Lucius is Latin. Herod the tetrarch is Herod Antipas, who is mentioned frequently in the Gospels and who reigned in Galilee during Jesus' ministry (cf. Matt. 14:1; Luke 3:1; 23:8; Acts 4:27) 4 b.c. to a.d. 39. He was a son of Herod the Great (Matt. 2:1), and his nephew Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, reigned as king in Judea a.d. 41-44 (Acts 12:1-23). Member of the court translates Greek syntrophos, indicating that Manaen was a close friend of Herod Antipas and had been brought up with him from childhood.

13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting. Though there were recognized "prophets" in the church (v. 1), that did not guarantee that the Holy Spirit would speak to them apart from their spending such extended time in worship, fasting, and prayer. "They" likely refers to the whole congregation at worship, although the five prophets may well have mediated the Spirit's message.

13:3 They again probably refers to the entire congregation rather than just the five "prophets and teachers" (v. 1), since Paul and Barnabas were a part of that latter group. The laying on of hands was a "commissioning," indicating the church's support of the two in their mission, and providing a physical indication of imparting the Holy Spirit's power to them (see 6:6; 8:17; 9:17; 19:6).

13:4 sent out by the Holy Spirit. Luke continues his emphasis on the divine direction of all that is happening in the growth of the church. Setting out from Antioch (v. 1), Paul and Barnabas traveled about 16 miles (26 km) down to the port city of Seleucia.

13:5 Salamis was the closest port of Cyprus (about 130 miles [209 km] southwest of Seleucia). John (John Mark) was an assistant to Paul and Barnabas (see note on 12:12). They began their witness in the synagogues of the Jews, a pattern regularly followed by Paul (Acts 17:1-2). This was a natural starting point, since the Jewish people already believed that the OT Scriptures were the absolutely authoritative and truthful words of God.

13:6 Paphos was 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Salamis and was the seat of the Roman government of Cyprus. Paphos here likely refers to the port city of Nea Paphos rather than nearby Old Paphos (with its famous ancient temple of Aphrodite). First-century remains in Nea Paphos include an odeion (a small covered theater), a larger theater, and the Sanctuary of Apollo. Bar-Jesus was a magician (Gk. magos), similar to Simon (8:9-13), and a Jew. He was also a false prophet. Paul's subsequent characterization of him as a "son of the devil" suggests that his "magic" was assisted by demonic powers. Magic in antiquity was practiced by both pagan and Jewish people with the goals of healing diseases, bringing physical blessings, cursing or otherwise harming others, and guarding against both curses and demons. Magicians also claimed to foretell the future. Ancient literature (e.g., Pliny, Natural History) and discovered magical books (cf. Acts 19:19) indicate that magic often involved special incantations (frequently invoking magical names of deities and demons), potions, and the use of magical objects such as amulets, incantation bowls, or figurines.

13:7 The proconsul was the highest-ranking official in a Roman senatorial province. A few inscriptions have been found around the Mediterranean bearing the name Sergius Paulus, but it is difficult to be certain which, if any, relate to the proconsul mentioned here.

13:8 Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas, opposed the missionaries because he viewed them as a threat to his profitable relationship with the proconsul.

13:9 This verse marks the transition in Acts from Saul to Paul. Now that he is working in Gentile territory, the Hebrew Saul becomes known by his Roman name, Paul. He will be so named throughout the rest of Acts, except in 22:7, 13, and 26:14, which recall earlier events.

13:11-12 When Elymas was miraculously struck blind, the proconsul believed. Throughout Acts, miracles have a significant role in bringing unbelievers to genuine faith (cf. notes on ch. 3; etc.).