Acts 13

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 52 verses.

Cilicia

Tarsus

Syria

Antioch      

Seleucia

Cyprus

Salamis

Paphos

Pamphylia

Perga

Antioch

Pisidia

Iconium

Phrygia

Licaonia

Crete

Athens

Mediterranean sea

Places visited by Saul (Paul) and Barnabas (blue) and other places (red).

This chapter mentions the following places (in order of appearance):

• Antioch, Syria
• Seleucia (Greek: σελευκεια), i.e. Seleucia Pieria, the port serving Antioch
• Cyprus: Salamis, Paphos
• Perga, Pamphylia
• Jerusalem
• Antioch, Pisidia
• Iconium, Phrygia

The first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas took place about AD 47–48.[4]

Map of Antiochia in Roman and early Byzantine times

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers:

Barnabas,

Simeon who was called Niger,

Lucius of Cyrene,

Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and

Saul.[5]

This Lucius of Cyrene is thought to be the same person as mentioned in Romans 16:21, or the same as Luke, the writer of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.[6]

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."[7]

Remaining column plinths of possibly the main/harbour street at Seleucia, where Barnabas and Paul started their journey to Cyprus.

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.[8]

• "They": Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:2)

Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,[9]

who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.[10]

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.[11]

Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.[12]

Luke presents Sergius Paulus as the first Gentile ruler to believe the gospel. Unlike Cornelius (Acts 10:2), there is no evidence that Sergius attended the temple or was a God-fearer. This pagan government official was amazed at the power of God and believed the truth.[13]

Ruins of the main street in Perga, capital of Pamphylia, where Paul and his party arrived after sailing from Paphos, Cyprus.

Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.[14]

This John, also mentioned in verse 5, was John Mark, the nephew of Barnabas (Acts 12:25). Whatever the trouble was between Paul and John Mark, it was enough for Paul not to want John Mark to accompany him on a later journey (Acts 15:36–39). John Mark would prove faithful later in Paul's ministry (see 2 Timothy 4:11).[13]

God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.’[15]

Citing Psalm 2:7, which is also quoted and used for exposition in Hebrews 1:5; 5:5.[3]

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead,

now no more to return to corruption,

he said on this wise,

I will give you the sure mercies of David.[16]

Citing Isaiah 55:3

• Related Bible parts: Psalm 2, Isaiah 55, Habakkuk 1, Matthew 1, Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1, Acts 1, Acts 9, Acts 11, Acts 12, Acts 14, Acts 15, Acts 22, Acts 26, Hebrews 1, Hebrews 5

• Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. Retrieved February 28, 2019.

• Acts 1 King James Bible - Wikisource
• English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate
• Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
• Multiple bible versions at Bible Gateway (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)
• Acts 13 OEB