Acts 13:1
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.
Original Language Analysis
κατὰ
in
G2596
κατὰ
in
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
6 of 32
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίαν
the church
G1577
ἐκκλησίαν
the church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
9 of 32
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
προφῆται
prophets
G4396
προφῆται
prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
10 of 32
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅ
G3588
ὅ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Βαρναβᾶς
Barnabas
G921
Βαρναβᾶς
Barnabas
Strong's:
G921
Word #:
15 of 32
son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλούμενος
that was called
G2564
καλούμενος
that was called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
19 of 32
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τετράρχου
the tetrarch
G5076
τετράρχου
the tetrarch
Strong's:
G5076
Word #:
29 of 32
the ruler of a fourth part of a country ("tetrarch")
σύντροφος
which had been brought up
G4939
σύντροφος
which had been brought up
Strong's:
G4939
Word #:
30 of 32
a fellow-nursling, i.e., comrade
Cross References
Acts 4:36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,Acts 15:35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.Acts 13:9Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,Galatians 2:9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.Acts 15:32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.Ephesians 4:11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;Luke 3:1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,Acts 21:9And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.Acts 11:30Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the ethnic and social diversity of Antioch's leadership challenge your church's approach to leadership selection?
- What does the combination of prophets and teachers suggest about the balance needed between Spirit-immediacy and doctrinal depth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.