Acts 13:2

KJV

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

KJV (with Strong's)

As {G1161} they {G846} ministered {G3008} to the Lord {G2962}, and {G2532} fasted {G3522}, the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} said {G2036},{G1211} Separate {G873} me {G3427}{G5037} Barnabas {G921} and {G2532} Saul {G4569} for {G1519} the work {G2041} whereunto {G3739} I have called {G4341} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

One time when they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Ruach HaKodesh said to them, “Set aside for me Bar-Nabba and Sha’ul for the work to which I have called them.”

Berean Standard Bible

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

American Standard Version

And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 13:2 marks a pivotal moment in the early church, detailing the Holy Spirit's direct intervention to commission Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for their inaugural missionary journey. This divine directive occurred during a time of worship and fasting by the church leaders in Antioch, underscoring that the expansion of the Gospel is not merely a human endeavor but a Spirit-initiated and Spirit-empowered mission, setting the trajectory for the evangelization of the Gentile world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant narrative shift in the book of Acts. Chapters 1-12 primarily focus on the Gospel's spread in Jerusalem and Judea, largely through Peter's ministry. With chapter 13, the focus explicitly shifts to the Gentile mission, spearheaded by Paul and Barnabas, emanating from the diverse and thriving church in Antioch. The preceding verses (Acts 11:19-30) establish Antioch as a hub of Christian activity, where believers were first called "Christians" and where Barnabas and Saul had been ministering for a year, teaching many people. The immediate context of Acts 13:1 lists the prophets and teachers in Antioch, highlighting the spiritual maturity and leadership depth of this community, which was actively engaged in corporate worship and spiritual disciplines, creating a fertile ground for divine revelation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The church in Antioch was strategically located as a major Roman city in Syria, a bustling commercial and cultural center with a diverse population, including a significant Jewish diaspora and a large Gentile presence. Unlike Jerusalem, Antioch was more open to Gentile inclusion, having already seen a large influx of Gentile converts (Acts 11:20-21). This cultural melting pot made it an ideal launching pad for a mission to the broader Roman Empire, which was characterized by its extensive road network, common language (Koine Greek), and relative peace (Pax Romana), all facilitating the spread of the Gospel. The practice of "ministering to the Lord and fasting" was a common spiritual discipline in both Jewish and early Christian traditions, signifying deep devotion, seeking divine guidance, and preparing for significant spiritual undertakings.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 13:2 powerfully articulates several foundational themes central to the book of Acts and Christian theology. Foremost is the **Sovereignty and Guidance of the Holy Spirit**, demonstrating that the church's mission is not humanly conceived but divinely directed. The Spirit actively calls, commissions, and empowers individuals for specific tasks, as seen throughout [the book of Acts](/acts/1 "The Book of Acts - The Acts of the Apostles"). Another key theme is the **Importance of Spiritual Disciplines**, particularly worship and fasting, as prerequisites for discerning God's will and receiving divine revelation. The leaders' posture of devotion highlights that spiritual preparation is essential for spiritual breakthrough, echoing principles found in passages like [Luke 2:37](/luke/2-37 "Luke 2:37 - Anna's Devotion") and [Matthew 6:16-18](/matthew/6-16-18 "Matthew 6:16-18 - Jesus' Teaching on Fasting"). Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Divine Calling and Separation for Service**, emphasizing that God sets apart specific individuals for particular "work" in His kingdom, a concept foundational to the church's missional identity and the individual believer's purpose, as articulated in passages like [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for the Church's Ministry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ministered (Greek, _leitourgéō_):** This verb signifies performing a public service, often with a religious or sacred connotation. In this context, it describes the leaders' active service and worship before God, implying a formal, perhaps liturgical, act of devotion. It suggests a dedicated and intentional engagement in spiritual duties, not merely a casual gathering.
* **fasted (Greek, _nēsteúō_):** To abstain from food, typically for religious reasons. Fasting in the biblical context is often associated with intense prayer, mourning, seeking divine intervention, or preparing for significant spiritual encounters. Here, it indicates a deep spiritual earnestness and a posture of humility and dependence on God as the leaders sought His will.
* **Separate (Greek, _aphorízō_):** This verb means "to set off by boundary," "to limit," "to exclude," or "to appoint." It conveys the idea of a distinct, deliberate setting apart for a specific purpose. In this instance, it is a divine command to consecrate Barnabas and Saul for a unique and divinely ordained work, signifying a formal commissioning and dedication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted,"**: This opening clause establishes the spiritual atmosphere and the leaders' posture. The ongoing nature of "ministered" (imperfect tense in Greek) and "fasted" (also imperfect) suggests a sustained period of corporate worship and spiritual discipline. Their devotion to the Lord created the receptive environment for divine communication, highlighting that God often speaks when His people are actively seeking Him.
* **"the Holy Ghost said,"**: This is the pivotal declaration, emphasizing the divine initiative. The phrase indicates a direct, audible, and authoritative communication from the Holy Spirit, not merely an inner prompting or a collective consensus. It signifies the Spirit's active and personal involvement in guiding the church's mission and selecting its personnel.
* **"Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them."**: This is the specific divine command. "Separate me" implies that the Holy Spirit is claiming Barnabas and Saul for His own specific purposes. The phrase "the work whereunto I have called them" underscores that their calling was not new or sudden, but rather a pre-ordained divine purpose that was now being formally activated and publicly revealed. This "work" would be the extensive missionary journeys to the Gentiles.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Divine Speech** is prominently featured, with the direct quotation "the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul..." This device lends immense authority and immediacy to the command, emphasizing that the mission is divinely ordained and not a human initiative. The use of the **Imperfect Tense** for "ministered" and "fasted" creates a sense of ongoing action, portraying the leaders' sustained devotion as a continuous backdrop for the divine intervention. Furthermore, the passage functions as a **Narrative Transition**, marking a distinct shift in the book of Acts from the Jerusalem-centric mission to the expansive Gentile mission. The specific naming of "Barnabas and Saul" also serves as **Foreshadowing**, signaling their future prominence and the monumental impact of their impending ministry, which will dominate the subsequent chapters of Acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 13:2 is a foundational text for understanding the missional nature of the church and the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in its global outreach. It reveals that God's mission is not a human strategy but a divine imperative, initiated and sustained by the Spirit. The Spirit's direct command to "separate" Barnabas and Saul underscores the concept of divine calling, where individuals are sovereignly chosen and equipped for specific kingdom purposes. This event sets a precedent for the church's responsibility to identify, affirm, and send out those whom the Spirit calls, demonstrating a communal discernment and obedience to God's leading that is vital for effective ministry.

* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Holy Spirit and Witnessing")
* [Romans 10:14-15](/romans/10-14-15 "Romans 10:14-15 - How Shall They Hear Without a Preacher?")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for the Equipping of the Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 13:2 offers profound insights for contemporary believers and the church today. It reminds us that genuine spiritual activity often precedes divine direction; it was in their posture of worship and fasting that the Holy Spirit spoke. This encourages us to cultivate a lifestyle of deep devotion, prayer, and spiritual discipline, creating an environment where we are attuned to God's voice. The specific calling of Barnabas and Saul highlights that God has a unique "work" for each of us, whether in vocational ministry or in our daily lives, and we are called to discern and embrace that purpose. Furthermore, the communal nature of the Spirit's address to the church leaders in Antioch emphasizes the importance of corporate discernment. Churches today are called to be communities that collectively seek God's will, affirm the callings of individuals, and corporately send out those whom the Spirit has set apart for specific tasks, fostering a culture of missional obedience and support.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What spiritual disciplines (like worship or fasting) am I actively engaging in to cultivate an environment receptive to God's voice?**
* **How can my local church better practice communal discernment to identify and affirm those whom the Holy Spirit is calling for specific "work"?**
* **In what ways might the Holy Spirit be calling me to be "separated" for a particular work or ministry in my current season of life?**

### FAQ

**How did the Holy Spirit "say" this to the church leaders? Was it an audible voice or an inner prompting?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly state *how* the Holy Spirit spoke, the Greek verb "said" (εἶπεν, _eipen_) typically denotes direct, clear, and authoritative communication. In the context of Acts, the Holy Spirit often communicates through various means: sometimes audibly (as perhaps implied here), through prophetic utterances (as suggested by the presence of "prophets" in [Acts 13:1](/acts/13-1 "Acts 13:1 - Prophets and Teachers in Antioch")), or through strong, undeniable inner convictions confirmed by the community. Given the gravity of the command—initiating the Gentile mission—it was likely a clear and unmistakable revelation, understood and accepted by the leaders as a direct divine directive, rather than a mere personal feeling. This directness underscores the Spirit's active leadership in the early church's expansion, fulfilling Christ's promise of empowerment in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Holy Spirit Empowers Witnesses").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 13:2 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the ongoing mission of the church, which is the very body of Christ, empowered by His Spirit to continue His redemptive work on earth. Jesus Himself commissioned His disciples with the Great Commission in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"), commanding them to "go and make disciples of all nations." This verse in Acts demonstrates the Holy Spirit, whom Christ promised to send ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")), actively carrying out that commission by selecting and sending forth specific individuals like Barnabas and Saul. Just as Christ was "sent" by the Father to accomplish His "work" of salvation ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do the Will of God")), so too the Holy Spirit "separates" and sends His servants for the continuation of that saving work. The mission initiated here by the Spirit is nothing less than the expansion of Christ's kingdom, bringing the good news of His atoning sacrifice and resurrection to all peoples, thereby fulfilling the redemptive purposes of God in Christ for the world. The Spirit's call on Barnabas and Saul is a direct outworking of Christ's sovereign headship over His church, ensuring that His mission to gather His elect from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation will be accomplished ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Multitude from Every Nation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 1:15

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace,

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

2 Timothy 1:11

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 12:11

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Romans 1:1

¶ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

1 Timothy 2:7

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

Acts 22:21

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.