Acts 13:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

So these two, after they had been sent out by the Ruach HaKodesh, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus.

Berean Standard Bible:

So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

American Standard Version:

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

So^{{G3303}{G3767}} they^{G3778}, being sent forth^{G1599} by^{G5259} the Holy^{G40} Ghost^{G4151}, departed^{G2718} unto^{G1519} Seleucia^{G4581}; and from^{G1564} thence^{G5037} they sailed^{G636} to^{G1519} Cyprus^{G2954}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Acts 13:4

Acts 13:4 is a pivotal verse in the New Testament that marks the beginning of the first missionary journey of the Apostle Paul and Barnabas. This journey is significant because it represents the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish world into the broader Gentile population of the Roman Empire.

In the historical context, Seleucia was a port city on the Mediterranean coast of modern-day Turkey, which served as an important gateway for travel to various parts of the Roman Empire. Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean, was known for its diverse population, including a substantial Jewish community.

The verse emphasizes that the missionaries were "sent forth by the Holy Ghost," indicating divine direction and empowerment for their mission. This reflects a major theme in the Acts of the Apostles: the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding and affirming the mission of the early Church. The Holy Spirit's role in the early Church was crucial, as it provided the apostles with both the mandate and the means to spread the Gospel.

The act of sailing to Cyprus is symbolic of the Christian message crossing geographical and cultural boundaries. It underscores the universality of the Christian faith and its intended reach to all nations, as Jesus commanded in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

In summary, Acts 13:4 captures the essence of the early Church's missionary endeavors, which were characterized by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, geographical expansion, and the inclusion of diverse peoples within the Christian community. This verse sets the stage for the transformative preaching and teaching that Paul and Barnabas would undertake, significantly shaping the course of early Christian history.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3303
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέν
   Transliteration: mén
   Pronunciation: men
   Description: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3778
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὗτος
   Transliteration: hoûtos
   Pronunciation: how'-tahee
   Description: from the article ὁ and αὐτός; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1599
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκπέμπω
   Transliteration: ekpémpō
   Pronunciation: ek-pem'-po
   Description: from ἐκ and πέμπω; to despatch:--send away (forth).
   
5. Strong's Number: G5259
   There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπό
   Transliteration: hypó
   Pronunciation: hoop-o'
   Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
   
6. Strong's Number: G40
   There are 1382 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἅγιος
   Transliteration: hágios
   Pronunciation: hag'-ee-os
   Description: from (an awful thing) (compare ἁγνός, θάλπω); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4151
   There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πνεῦμα
   Transliteration: pneûma
   Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
   Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2718
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κατέρχομαι
   Transliteration: katérchomai
   Pronunciation: kat-er'-khom-ahee
   Description: from κατά and ἔρχομαι (including its alternate); to come (or go) down (literally or figuratively):--come (down), depart, descend, go down, land.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
10. Strong's Number: G4581
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Σελεύκεια
    Transliteration: Seleúkeia
    Pronunciation: sel-yook'-i-ah
    Description: from (Seleucus, a Syrian king); Seleuceia, a place in Syria:--Seleucia.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1564
    There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκεῖθεν
    Transliteration: ekeîthen
    Pronunciation: ek-i'-then
    Description: from ἐκεῖ; thence:--from that place, (from) thence, there.
    
12. Strong's Number: G5037
    There are 192 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τέ
    Transliteration: té
    Pronunciation: teh
    Description: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of καί):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.
    
13. Strong's Number: G636
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀποπλέω
    Transliteration: apopléō
    Pronunciation: ap-op-leh'-o
    Description: from ἀπό and πλέω; to set sail:--sail away.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2954
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Κύπρος
    Transliteration: Kýpros
    Pronunciation: koo'-pros
    Description: of uncertain origin; Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean:--Cyprus.