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Acts 13:1

in Acts 13

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

KJV

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.

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This verse in Acts 13

Commentary

10 notes on this verse

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Acts · Written before 1107.

He mentions Barnabas first, since Paul had not yet become famous and had not yet performed any sign. But it should be noted that both Paul and Barnabas were numbered among the rank of the apostles. "Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the …

This site's exposition

certain prophets and teachers

The church at Antioch already has a plural, Spirit-recognized leadership by the time this scene opens: Barnabas the Cypriot Levite, Simeon called Niger, likely a dark-complexioned believer, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a foster-brother or close companion of Herod the tetrarch raised in the same household, and Saul. The list itself is a quiet witness to the Gentile mission's own roots, a Levite, an African, a man raised alongside Galilee's ruler, and a former persecutor of the church all named in the same breath as prophets and teachers of one congregation. Luke gives no rank among them here, the five standing together as the body that hears the Spirit's command in the next verse.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers3 voices

A commentator

Oecumenius

Commentary on Acts · Written before 550.

proposed

Behold the character of each one, and not the upbringing from childhood saves. For see what company Manaen kept, who was esteemed a companion of prophecy. [AMMONIUS]

A commentator

Ammonius of Alexandria

CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 13.1 · Written before 300.

proposed

"And Manaean, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch." Behold the customs of each of them: not even the fact of being brought up together saves them both. See how absolutely evil Herod was, for he did not want to be converted. But …

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 27 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"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." He still mentions Barnabas first: for Paul was not yet famous, he had not yet wrought any sign.

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

34 ), such as were every way qualified for the service of the Christian church. Antioch was a great city, and the Christians there were many, so that they could not all meet in one place; it was therefore requisite they should have many teachers, to preside in their respective assemblies, and to deliver God's mind to them.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-citation-number+unbalanced-parens

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch,....
3 more voices on this verse

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

He is mentioned, in Ro 16:21, as one of Paul's kinsmen. Manaen--or Menahem, the name of one of the kings of Israel (2Ki 15:14). which had been brought up with--or, the foster brother of. Herod the tetrarch--that is, Antipas, who was himself "brought up with a certain private person at Rome" [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 17.1,3].

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

Certain prophets and teachers - Προφηται και διδασκαλοι. It is probable that these were not distinct offices; both might be vested in the same persons. By prophets we are to understand, when the word is taken simply, persons who were frequently inspired to predict future events, and by teachers, persons whose ordinary office was to instruct the people in the Christian doctrine. These also, to be properly qualified for the office, must have been endued with the influence of the Holy Spirit; for, as but a very small portion of the Scriptures of the New Testament could have as yet been given, it was necessary that the teachers should derive much of their own teaching by immediate revelation from God. On prophets and teachers, see the note on Act 11:27. Barnabas - Of whom see before, Act 11:22-24. Simeon-Niger - Or Simeon the Black, either because of his complexion, or his hair. It was on reasons of this kind that surnames, surnoms, name upon name were first imposed. Of this Simeon nothing farther is known. Lucius of Cyrene - See Act 11:20. Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod - Our margin has given the proper meaning of the original word συντροφος, a foster-brother; i.e. Manaen was the son of the woman who nursed Herod Antipas; and the son, also, whose milk the young Herod shared. Of a person whose name was Manaen or Menahem, and who was in the court of Herod, we read several things in the Jewish writers. They say that this man had the gift of prophecy, and that he told Herod, when he was but a child, that he would be king. When Herod became king he sent for him to his court, and held him in great estimation. It might have been the son of this Menahem of whom St. Luke here speaks. Dr. Lightfoot has shown this to be at least possible.
The church that was at Antioch - See the notes on Act 11:20. Certain prophets - See the notes on Act 11:27. And teachers - Teachers are several times mentioned in the New Testament as an order of ministers, 1Co 12:28-29; Eph 4:11; 2Pe 2:1. Their precise rank and duty are not known. It is probable that those mentioned here as prophets were the same persons as the teachers. They might discharge both offices, predicting future events, and instructing the people.

The words behind it

31 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Acts 4:36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),10 worksEphesians 4:11And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,9 worksActs 15:35But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.8 worksActs 11:22–27When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.7 worksActs 11:27In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.7 worksRomans 12:7if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;7 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Acts 13:9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas6 worksGalatians 2:9And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.6 worksLuke 3:1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,5 works1 Corinthians 14:24–25But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,5 worksActs 15:32Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.5 worksMatthew 27:32Along the way they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.5 worksDaniel 12:3Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.5 worksLuke 3:19–20But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done,4 worksRomans 16:21Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen.4 worksGalatians 2:13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.4 worksActs 14:26–27From Attalia they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had just completed.4 works1 Corinthians 9:6Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?4 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Acts 13:9

    Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas

    it leads to

    • Micah 3:8

      As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.

    • Acts 4:8

      Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!

    • Acts 2:4

      And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

  • Through

    Galatians 2:9

    And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and…

    it leads to

    • Romans 12:3

      For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure…

    • Revelation 3:12

      The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the…

    • Ephesians 3:8

      Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

  • Through

    Acts 4:36

    Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),

    it leads to

    • Galatians 2:9

      And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and…

    • Galatians 2:13

      The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 13 →
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ammonius of Alexandria, CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 13.1; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 27; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on Acts and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.

Read on in Acts 13 →