Acts 13 4

Acts 13:4 kjv

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 13:4 nkjv

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

Acts 13:4 niv

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

Acts 13:4 esv

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

Acts 13:4 nlt

So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 4 Meaning

Acts 13:4 describes the immediate action of Barnabas and Saul (Paul) after their divine commissioning. Having been explicitly sent by the Holy Spirit through the church in Antioch, they departed from the city and made their way to Seleucia, the port, and from there embarked on a sea voyage to the island of Cyprus. This verse signifies the tangible start of their first missionary journey, emphasizing their Spirit-directed obedience in extending the reach of the Gospel beyond Antioch.

Acts 13 4 Context

Acts chapter 13 marks a pivotal shift in the narrative of Acts, transitioning from a predominantly Jerusalem-centric mission to a broader Gentile-focused outreach. The preceding verses (13:1-3) describe a key moment in the Antioch church, which had become a vibrant multi-ethnic congregation. During a time of worship and fasting, the Holy Spirit directly intervened, instructing the church elders to "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Following this divine command, the church affirmed the sending with prayer and the laying on of hands. Verse 4 immediately records their obedience to this unique commissioning, signifying the beginning of what is known as Paul's first missionary journey. Historically, this mission was crucial as it firmly established the principle of active, Spirit-led evangelism to the Gentile world, directly stemming from a robust local church body. This decision set the stage for the Gospel's journey to the ends of the Roman Empire.

Acts 13 4 Word analysis

• So (Οὗτοι μὲν οὖν - Houtoi men oun): "These then," "Therefore." This phrase acts as a connective, linking the commissioning event in the previous verses (Acts 13:2-3) to the apostles' immediate and obedient action. It signals the natural progression of events driven by divine directive.

• being sent forth (ἐκπεμφθέντες - ekpemfthentes): A passive aorist participle, meaning "having been sent out." The word highlights that Barnabas and Saul did not initiate this journey on their own but were officially dispatched by a higher authority. The prefix "ek-" (out) combined with "pempo" (to send) emphasizes their sending from a specific source outward to a destination, conveying an authorized, deliberate mission. This signifies divine appointment and apostolic authority.

• by (ὑπὸ - hypo): This preposition indicates the direct agent or cause of the action. It explicitly points to the source of their sending.

• the Holy Ghost (τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος - tou Hagiou Pneumatos): "The Holy Spirit." Hagios (holy, set apart for God) and Pneuma (spirit, breath). This is paramount. It emphasizes that their mission was not human-devised or executed, but divinely inspired and empowered by God's own Spirit. This establishes the authority, direction, and supernatural backing for their evangelistic endeavors. The Holy Spirit is consistently portrayed in Acts as the driving force behind the church's mission.

• they departed (κατέβησαν - katebēsan): "They went down" or "descended." Antioch, being an inland city, was at a higher elevation than its port, Seleucia. This detail reveals Luke's accurate geographical knowledge and enhances the verisimilitude of the account. It also implies purposeful movement towards the next leg of their journey.

• unto (εἰς - eis): A preposition indicating direction, movement "to" or "into."

• Seleucia (Σελεύκειαν - Seleukeian): Specifically Seleucia Pieria. This was a major seaport of Antioch, strategically located on the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of the Orontes River. It served as the gateway for trade and travel from Antioch to the wider Roman world, making it a natural departure point for an overseas mission.

• and from thence (κἀκεῖθέν τε - kakeithen te): "And from there," "thence." This conjunction smoothly transitions the narrative from their arrival in Seleucia to their next stage of travel.

• they sailed (ἀπέπλευσαν - apepleusan): "They sailed away." This verb specifically denotes travel by sea, signifying that they embarked on a ship to leave Seleucia. It underscores the international, trans-local nature of their mission.

• to (εἰς - eis): Again, a preposition indicating destination or direction "to."

• Cyprus (τὴν Κύπρον - tēn Kupron): A large island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It was a Roman senatorial province and notably the homeland of Barnabas (Acts 4:36). This choice of destination suggests both a strategic and personal element, as Barnabas would have had connections there, possibly easing the initial stages of their ministry.

• "So, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost": This phrase captures the divine impetus and authorization behind the mission. It differentiates apostolic missions from mere human evangelistic efforts, grounding their authority and effectiveness in God's sovereign initiative through His Spirit.

• "they departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus": This phrase details the practical, geographical steps taken in obedience to the Spirit's command. It demonstrates the intersection of spiritual calling and physical action. The movement from inland Antioch to coastal Seleucia and then by sea to Cyprus illustrates the logistical implementation of the missionary call, moving the Gospel into new, unreached territories.

Acts 13 4 Bonus section

• God's orchestration through human agency: This verse powerfully illustrates how God, through the Holy Spirit, uses ordinary individuals (Barnabas and Saul) and directs their specific geographic movements to accomplish His global redemptive plan. It emphasizes that divine calling is often paired with concrete, observable actions and locations.
• First significant "going out" by sea: While Philip was sent to the desert, and Peter to Caesarea (Acts 8 and 10), this marks the church's first intentional overseas journey for the purpose of cross-cultural missions, setting a precedent for spreading the Gospel beyond the mainland Jewish communities to broader Roman provincial populations.
• Seleucia Pieria: This port city, now mostly ruins, was critical in its day. Named after Seleucus I Nicator, a general of Alexander the Great, it was built specifically as a port for Antioch. Its existence facilitated the precise type of journey undertaken by Paul and Barnabas, showcasing the geographical accuracy embedded in Luke's historical account.

Acts 13 4 Commentary

Acts 13:4 concisely encapsulates the divine impetus and obedient execution of the first Christian missionary journey to the Gentiles. It fundamentally asserts that the church's global mission is not a human undertaking but a Holy Spirit-initiated and empowered endeavor. The passive construction "being sent forth" places emphasis squarely on the Spirit as the primary agent, validating Paul and Barnabas's authority and underscoring God's active involvement in propagating His message. Their journey from Antioch to Seleucia, and then to Cyprus, symbolizes the transition from local church outreach to intentional cross-cultural evangelism. Cyprus, being Barnabas's home, suggests a blend of strategic planning (utilizing existing relationships) and divine direction. This verse is a testament to the church's response to God's calling—prayerfully discerning the Spirit's will and then taking decisive, physical action to fulfill the Great Commission, trusting that divine guidance will accompany their obedience.