Acts 13:3

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.

And {G5119} when they had fasted {G3522} and {G2532} prayed {G4336}, and {G2532} laid {G2007} their hands {G5495} on {G2007} them {G846}, they sent them away {G630}.

After fasting and praying, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Acts 13:3 KJV marks a pivotal moment in early Christian missions, detailing the church's solemn act of commissioning Barnabas and Saul (who would later be known as Paul) for their first missionary journey. This verse highlights the spiritual preparation and corporate affirmation that accompanied this divine sending.

Context

This verse follows directly from Acts 13:2, where the Holy Spirit explicitly instructed the prophets and teachers in Antioch to "separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." The church in Antioch was a vibrant, diverse, and Spirit-led community, known for its strong leadership and outward focus. Their response to the Holy Spirit's directive was not immediate action but a period of intense spiritual devotion, underscoring the gravity of the task ahead.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Discernment and Preparation: The initial act of "fasted and prayed" emphasizes the church's commitment to seeking God's will and wisdom before undertaking significant ministry. This practice signifies humility, dependence on God, and a desire for divine guidance, a principle seen throughout scripture (e.g., Jesus' frequent withdrawal for prayer).
  • Corporate Affirmation and Commissioning: The "laying [their] hands on them" was a common biblical gesture. In this context, it was an act of blessing, solidarity, and formal commissioning by the church leadership, publicly affirming Barnabas and Saul's divine call and dedicating them to the missionary work. It symbolized the church's full support and identification with their mission, not necessarily imparting new spiritual gifts but acknowledging existing ones for a specific task.
  • Divine Sending and Human Obedience: While the Holy Spirit initiated the call (Acts 13:2), the church's action of "sent [them] away" demonstrates their obedience and partnership in God's mission. This verse marks the official launch of Paul's groundbreaking missionary endeavors, which would significantly spread the gospel beyond Jewish communities.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "laid hands on them," epithentes tas cheiras autois (ἐπιθέντες τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῖς), is consistently used in the New Testament to denote an act of blessing, dedication, healing, or the imparting of the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts. Here, it functions primarily as a solemn act of ordination and commissioning for ministry, signifying the church's official endorsement and prayerful sending.

Practical Application

Acts 13:3 offers enduring principles for the church today:

  • Seek God Through Prayer and Fasting: Major decisions, especially those involving ministry and sending, should be bathed in fervent prayer and spiritual discipline, reflecting a deep reliance on God's direction.
  • Affirm and Commission Ministries: Churches have a vital role in recognizing, affirming, and formally commissioning individuals called to specific ministries, providing spiritual and practical support.
  • Embrace the Great Commission: This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the church's ongoing mandate to send out laborers into the harvest, participating actively in God's global mission (compare with Matthew 28:19).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 6:6

    Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.

  • Acts 13:2

    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.

  • 1 Timothy 4:14

    Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

  • 2 Timothy 2:2

    And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

  • 3 John 1:8

    We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

  • Acts 14:26

    And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

  • Romans 10:15

    And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

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