Acts 13:5
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γενόμενοι
when they were
G1096
γενόμενοι
when they were
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
7 of 19
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συναγωγαῖς
the synagogues
G4864
συναγωγαῖς
the synagogues
Strong's:
G4864
Word #:
12 of 19
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἶχον
they had
G2192
εἶχον
they had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
15 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Acts 13:14But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.Acts 18:4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.Acts 9:20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.Acts 19:8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.Acts 12:12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.Acts 17:17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.Acts 14:1And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Historical Context
Salamis was Cyprus's commercial capital with multiple synagogues indicating a large Jewish community. The missionary team followed trade routes, using synagogues as established platforms for proclamation. John Mark was cousin to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), explaining Barnabas's later defense of him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's 'to the Jew first' strategy inform contemporary missions methodology and gospel presentation?
- What role do 'assistants' like John Mark play in ministry, and how should their failures be handled with grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They preached the word of God in the synagogues (κατήγγελλον τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς, katēngellon ton logon tou theou en tais synagōgais)—Paul's missionary strategy consistently began with synagogues, fulfilling 'to the Jew first' (Romans 1:16). Salamis, Cyprus's eastern port, had a substantial Jewish population. The verb κατήγγελλον (katēngellon, 'proclaim publicly') emphasizes authoritative proclamation, not dialogue.
They had also John to their minister (εἶχον δὲ καὶ Ἰωάννην ὑπηρέτην, eichon de kai Iōannēn hypēretēn)—John Mark served as ὑπηρέτην (hypēretēn, 'attendant/assistant'), likely handling logistics, teaching arrangements, and possibly keeping records (the source for his Gospel?). His premature departure (v. 13) would cause Paul-Barnabas conflict (15:36-40).