Acts 13:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse marks the crucial commencement of Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey, explicitly stating that their departure was not by human initiative but by the direct commission and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It details their initial travel from Antioch's port city, Seleucia, to the island of Cyprus, setting the geographical stage for the expansion of the gospel into the Gentile world under divine guidance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 13:4 immediately follows the powerful narrative of the Antiochian church's corporate prayer and fasting, during which the Holy Spirit directly intervened to call Barnabas and Saul for a specific work. [Acts 13:1-3](/acts/13-1-3 "The Holy Spirit Calls Barnabas and Saul") establishes the setting: a vibrant, Spirit-filled church in Antioch, rich with prophets and teachers. The laying on of hands in [Acts 13:3](/acts/13-3 "The Commissioning of Barnabas and Saul") signifies their formal commissioning and endorsement by the church, acting in obedience to the Spirit's directive. Thus, verse 4 is the direct, obedient response to this divine call, translating spiritual discernment into physical action and initiating the first major missionary outreach beyond the immediate sphere of Jerusalem and Judea. It is the practical outworking of the Spirit's command, moving from prayer and prophecy to purposeful travel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Antioch in Syria was a major Hellenistic city, a significant center of early Christianity, and a strategic hub for missionary endeavors due to its diverse population and commercial importance. Seleucia Pieria, located about 16 miles southwest of Antioch, served as its primary port, making it the natural departure point for sea voyages. Cyprus, a large island in the eastern Mediterranean, was Barnabas's homeland ([Acts 4:36](/acts/4-36 "Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus")), providing a familiar initial destination for the missionaries. As a Roman senatorial province, Cyprus had established Roman roads and administrative centers, facilitating travel and communication. Its population included both Jewish communities and a significant Gentile presence, offering fertile ground for the gospel's expansion, particularly among those who were already familiar with Jewish synagogues.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Initiative and Guidance** in the early church's mission. The phrase "being sent forth by the Holy Ghost" highlights that the impetus and direction for this monumental undertaking originated entirely with God, not human planning or ambition. This divine commissioning is central to understanding the authority and effectiveness of the apostles' work, demonstrating that the expansion of the gospel is fundamentally God's work through His Spirit, as prophesied in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission and the Power of the Holy Spirit"). Furthermore, the immediate and decisive departure of Barnabas and Saul exemplifies **Obedience and Availability** to God's call, setting a precedent for missional living. Their journey also illustrates the **Strategic Nature of Early Missions**, beginning from a major urban center and moving to a familiar, yet diverse, island, showcasing a Spirit-led approach to spreading the gospel that balanced familiarity with new frontiers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent forth (Greek, _ekpémpō_):** G1599, from ἐκ and πέμπω; meaning "to despatch" or "send away (forth)." This word emphasizes a deliberate, purposeful commission. It's not merely a departure but an active sending out by a higher authority, implying a specific task and destination. The missionaries are not acting on their own impulse but as agents of the Holy Spirit.
* **Holy (Greek, _hágios_):** G40, from (an awful thing); meaning "sacred," "pure," "morally blameless," or "consecrated." When applied to "Ghost" (Spirit), it denotes the divine, set-apart nature of the Third Person of the Trinity, who is the source of all holiness and purity.
* **Ghost (Greek, _pneûma_):** G4151, from πνέω; meaning "a current of air," "breath," or "breeze"; figuratively, "a spirit," "the rational soul," or "vital principle." In this context, it refers specifically to the **Holy Spirit**, the divine agent of God's power, presence, and direction, who empowers and guides believers in their mission. The combination "Holy Ghost" (Holy Spirit) signifies the divine, active, and empowering presence behind the apostles' mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the mission. The "they" refers to Barnabas and Saul (Paul), who were specifically chosen and commissioned. The crucial phrase "being sent forth by the Holy Ghost" (Greek: ὑπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ ἁγίου ἐκπεμφθέντες, _hypo tou pneumatos tou hagiou ekpemphthentes_) signifies that their departure was not a human strategic decision alone, but a direct result of the Holy Spirit's initiative and empowerment. This passive construction ("being sent forth") highlights the Spirit as the active agent, making the apostles instruments of a divine plan.
* **"departed unto Seleucia;"**: This phrase details the immediate physical action taken in response to the divine commission. "Departed" (Greek: κατέρχομαι, _katérchomai_) indicates a movement down, often to a port or coast. Seleucia was the port city for Antioch, serving as the logical and practical embarkation point for sea travel from Antioch to other regions. This shows the practical steps taken in obedience to the Spirit's leading.
* **"and from thence they sailed to Cyprus."**: This final clause specifies their first destination. After departing from Seleucia, they embarked on a sea journey to Cyprus. Cyprus was a large island, strategically located in the eastern Mediterranean, and notably, it was Barnabas's home island. This initial destination suggests a combination of divine guidance and practical considerations, perhaps leveraging Barnabas's familiarity with the island to establish an early foothold for the gospel. The act of "sailing" underscores the beginning of their trans-regional, maritime missionary journey.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Passive Voice** is prominent in "being sent forth by the Holy Ghost," which effectively emphasizes the divine agency over human initiative. This grammatical choice underscores that the mission's impetus is God's, not the apostles'. The phrase also functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "Holy Ghost" represents the power, will, and active direction of God himself. The precise geographical naming of "Seleucia" and "Cyprus" provides **Verisimilitude**, lending a strong sense of historical accuracy and realism to the narrative, grounding the spiritual event in tangible, verifiable locations. This detailed geographical progression also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the extensive journeys and widespread reach of the gospel that will characterize the remainder of the Book of Acts, demonstrating the Spirit's plan for global evangelization unfolding step by step.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 13:4 profoundly illustrates the foundational truth that Christian mission is not merely a human endeavor but a divine enterprise initiated, empowered, and directed by the Holy Spirit. This verse sets the precedent for Spirit-led ministry, demonstrating that true effectiveness in spreading the gospel flows from discerning and obeying God's specific call. It emphasizes the active role of the Third Person of the Trinity in guiding the church's expansion, transforming prayer and discernment into tangible, strategic action. The departure of Barnabas and Saul signifies the church's transition from a primarily localized witness to a deliberate, cross-cultural outreach, driven by the Spirit's global vision for redemption.

* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission: Power to Witness") - Jesus's promise of the Holy Spirit empowering witnesses "to the ends of the earth" finds its practical fulfillment in this verse, as the Spirit actively sends missionaries.
* [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Jesus's Mission Statement") - Jesus's inaugural sermon, declaring His anointing by the Spirit to preach the gospel, is echoed in the Spirit's anointing and sending of His followers to continue that same mission.
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "The Servant as a Light to the Gentiles") - This Old Testament prophecy about God's servant being a "light to the Gentiles" begins to unfold dramatically as the Holy Spirit directs the apostles towards non-Jewish populations.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 13:4 serves as a timeless blueprint for Christian service and mission, reminding us that genuine spiritual fruitfulness stems from a deep reliance on and obedience to the Holy Spirit. In an age where human strategies and programs often dominate, this verse calls believers back to the fundamental truth that God's work must be done God's way – by His Spirit. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of listening, discerning, and yielding to the Spirit's leading in every aspect of our lives, whether in our personal witness, vocational calling, or corporate church ministry. Just as Barnabas and Saul were "sent forth," so too are all believers commissioned by the Spirit to participate in God's ongoing mission in the world. This requires not only a willingness to go but also a readiness to be guided, trusting that the Spirit who initiates the call will also provide the means, the path, and the power to accomplish His purposes. Our effectiveness is directly proportional to our dependence on His divine initiative.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you sense the Holy Spirit calling you to be "sent forth" in a new way?**
* **How does the emphasis on the Holy Spirit's initiative in Acts 13:4 challenge your own approaches to planning and executing ministry or personal endeavors?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's guidance and a greater willingness to obey His leading?**
* **How does understanding that you are "sent forth by the Holy Ghost" empower you to overcome fear or inadequacy in sharing your faith or engaging in service?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the Holy Ghost "sending forth" Barnabas and Saul?**

Answer: The significance is profound, highlighting that the entire missionary enterprise was divinely initiated and empowered, not merely a human strategic decision. The phrase "being sent forth by the Holy Ghost" (Greek: _ekpempō_ by _pneûma hágios_) means they were purposefully dispatched or commissioned by the Holy Spirit. This underscores the theological truth that Christian mission is fundamentally God's work, executed through His Spirit. It provides divine authority and backing for their journey, ensuring that their efforts were aligned with God's will and would be accompanied by His power, as seen in the subsequent events of [Acts 13](/acts/13 "Paul's First Missionary Journey"). This divine commissioning also serves as a model for all believers, reminding us that true spiritual effectiveness flows from discerning and obeying the Spirit's leading.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 13:4, with its emphasis on being "sent forth by the Holy Ghost," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and mission of Jesus Himself. Jesus, the Son, was perfectly "sent forth" by the Father, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to accomplish the ultimate mission of redemption. From His conception by the Holy Spirit ([Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "The Annunciation to Mary")), to His anointing by the Spirit at His baptism for public ministry ([Luke 3:22](/luke/3-22 "Jesus's Baptism")), and His performing miracles "by the Spirit of God" ([Matthew 12:28](/matthew/12-28 "Jesus and Beelzebul")), Jesus's entire earthly life was a Spirit-empowered mission. He was the quintessential missionary, sent to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God ([Luke 4:43](/luke/4-43 "Jesus Preaches in the Synagogues")). The sending of Barnabas and Saul by the Holy Spirit is therefore an extension of Christ's own mission, demonstrating that the Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), continues the work of Christ through His church. The Spirit empowers believers to be Christ's witnesses ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "The Great Commission")), extending His presence and purpose to the ends of the earth, making the mission of the apostles a direct continuation and fulfillment of the redemptive mission inaugurated by Christ.

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

Acts 4:36

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus,

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.

Acts 11:19

¶ Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Acts 20:23

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Acts 27:4

And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.