Acts 13 5

Acts 13:5 kjv

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.

Acts 13:5 nkjv

And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.

Acts 13:5 niv

When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

Acts 13:5 esv

When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.

Acts 13:5 nlt

There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 5 Meaning

Acts 13:5 describes the initial evangelistic efforts of Barnabas and Saul (Paul) upon their arrival in Salamis, Cyprus. Following their commissioning in Antioch, they began by proclaiming "the word of God"—the Gospel message—in the local Jewish synagogues. John Mark accompanied them in the capacity of a helper or assistant. This verse highlights their chosen starting point and immediate strategy in their first missionary journey.

Acts 13 5 Context

Acts chapter 13 marks a significant transition in the book of Acts, shifting from Peter's prominence to Paul's extensive missionary journeys. The chapter opens with the church in Antioch sending out Barnabas and Saul (Paul) after a time of fasting and prayer, specifically set apart by the Holy Spirit for the work. Acts 13:5 details their very first destination on this journey—Salamis, a prominent city on the eastern coast of Cyprus, which was Barnabas's home island. This strategic choice allowed them to begin their mission in a familiar region and establish their approach to evangelism: initially targeting the large Jewish communities found in major cities, which traditionally had synagogues. These synagogues provided an established forum where the Scriptures were known, offering a natural bridge to introduce Jesus as the Messiah, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies.

Acts 13 5 Word analysis

• And when they were at Salamis,: (καὶ γενομένοι ἐν Σαλαμῖνι - kai genomenoi en Salamini)
  • ge·no·mé·noi: This participle means "having become," "having arrived," or "being." It signifies their successful completion of the journey to this destination and their immediate presence there to begin their ministry.
  • en Sala·mí·ni: "in Salamis." Salamis was a major port and commercial center on the eastern coast of Cyprus. Its status as a prominent city likely meant it had a substantial Jewish population, making it a logical initial stop for the missionaries, especially since Barnabas was from Cyprus (Acts 4:36).
• they preached: (ἐκήρυσσον - ekērysson)
  • ekērysson: This is the imperfect active indicative form of kēryssō, meaning "to proclaim as a herald, to announce, to preach." The imperfect tense here indicates a continuous or repeated action over a period, suggesting that they did not merely give a single address but rather engaged in ongoing proclamation within the synagogues. This signifies a public, authoritative declaration of a message.
• the word of God: (τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ - ton logon tou Theou)
  • ton logon: "the word," "the message," "the teaching." In the New Testament, logos often refers to the Gospel—the specific message concerning Jesus Christ, His life, death, resurrection, and the salvation He offers. It's the divine communication to humanity.
  • tou Theou: "of God." This genitive phrase emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message they preached. It was not a human opinion or philosophy, but God's revealed truth, centered on Christ and consistent with Old Testament prophecies.
• in the synagogues of the Jews: (ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς τῶν Ἰουδαίων - en tais synagōgais tōn Ioudaiōn)
  • en tais synagōgais: "in the synagogues." Synagogues were the central institutions of Jewish life in the Diaspora. They served not only as places of worship but also for teaching, community gathering, and legal affairs. Visiting teachers, especially those knowledgeable in the Scriptures, were commonly invited to speak.
  • tōn Ioudaíōn: "of the Jews." This clearly specifies their primary target audience: the Jewish communities in Salamis. This reflects the apostolic missionary principle of reaching "the Jew first" (Rom 1:16), leveraging the shared foundation of the Old Testament to introduce Jesus as the Messiah.
• and they had also John to their minister: (εἶχον δὲ καὶ Ἰωάννην ὑπηρέτην - eichon de kai Iōannēn hyperetēn)
  • eichon: This is the imperfect active indicative form of echō, meaning "they had," "they were holding," or "they possessed." Like ekērysson, the imperfect tense implies John Mark’s continuous role as part of their missionary team, not a temporary engagement.
  • Iōánnēn: "John," specifically John Mark. He had already accompanied Barnabas and Saul from Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 12:25).
  • hyperetēn: "a minister, assistant, helper, servant." Literally meaning an "under-rower" or "subordinate officer," this term denotes someone who provides practical, foundational support. John Mark’s role would have included assisting with logistics, procuring supplies, preparing the way, and possibly scribal duties, enabling Paul and Barnabas to focus on teaching and preaching. This highlights the early church's practice of teamwork in missions.

Acts 13 5 Bonus section

The consistent use of "the word of God" or "the word of the Lord" throughout Acts (e.g., Acts 6:7, 8:4, 12:24, 19:20) emphasizes that the apostles preached a unified, divinely authorized message—the unfolding of God's redemptive purpose culminating in Jesus Christ. The "Jew first" strategy was not merely tactical but deeply theological, acknowledging God's covenant with Israel as the historical foundation for the universal Gospel. Although their mission eventually turned primarily to Gentiles (as seen later in Acts), the apostles faithfully began with God's chosen people. Furthermore, John Mark's initial presence, even with his later departure and subsequent reconciliation (2 Tim 4:11), illustrates the developmental and sometimes challenging nature of teamwork in Christian ministry. His role as hyperetēs signifies that every form of service, even in support capacities, is vital for the advance of God's kingdom.

Acts 13 5 Commentary

Acts 13:5 establishes the immediate course of action for Barnabas and Saul's first missionary journey. Their choice of Salamis, followed by targeting Jewish synagogues, reveals a deliberate strategy. They first sought out those already familiar with the Old Testament scriptures, providing a common ground to present Jesus as the Christ who fulfilled those prophecies. The substance of their message, "the word of God," signifies that they delivered not human philosophy, but divine revelation of God's redemptive plan through Jesus. The inclusion of John Mark as an "assistant" underscores the essential role of teamwork and support in effective ministry. While Paul and Barnabas bore the primary burden of proclaiming, John Mark's practical assistance allowed them to fully devote themselves to this core mission, exemplifying how various gifts and roles coalesce for the spread of the Gospel.