Acts 13:1

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch, etc.] This was Antioch in Syria, where was a Gospel church, and where the disciples were first called Christians; from whence Saul and Barnabas had been sent to Jerusalem, with a supply for the poor saints there, in a time of famine, and from whence they were now returned: and here were certain prophets and teachers; who were both prophets and teachers, though these are sometimes distinguished; who had both a gift of foretelling things to come, as Agabus and others, and of explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament, and of teaching the people evangelic truths; these, at least some of them, came from Jerusalem hither, (<441127>Acts 11:27).…”

“BARNABAS AND SAUL, DIVINELY CALLED TO LABOR AMONG THE GENTILES, ARE SET APART AND SENT FORTH BY THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH. (Act 13:1-3) there were . . . certain prophets--(See on Act 11:27). and teachers; as Barnabas, &c.--implying that there were others there, besides; but, according to what appears the true reading, the meaning is simply that those here mentioned were in the Church at Antioch as prophets and teachers. Simeon . . . Niger--of whom nothing is known. Lucius of Cyrene-- (Act 2:20). He is mentioned, in Rom 16:21, as one of Paul's kinsmen. Manaen--or Menahem, the name of one of the kings of Israel (Kg2 15:14). which had been brought up with--or, the foster brother of. Herod the…”

“The church that was at Antioch - See the notes on Acts 11:20. Certain prophets - See the notes on Acts 11:27. And teachers - Teachers are several times mentioned in the New Testament as an order of ministers, 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Peter 2:1. Their precise rank and duty are not known. It is probable that those mentioned here as prophets were the same persons as the teachers. They might discharge both offices, predicting future events, and instructing the people. As Barnabas - Barnabas was a preacher Acts 4:35-36; Acts 9:27; Acts 11:22, Acts 11:26; and it is not improbable that the names “prophets and teachers” here simply designate the preachers of the gospel. Simeon that…”

“Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod - His foster brother, now freed from the temptations of a court. Acts 13:2”

“13:1-3 The prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch spent significant time in worship and prayer, earnestly seeking the Lord’s will as they fasted and opened themselves to divine direction. As they prayed, the Holy Spirit spoke to them, and they set apart Barnabas and Saul in clear recognition of God’s call for them to carry out a special work in his name. The believers’ inward journey in prayer and listening to God is matched by their outward journey in service, evangelism, and mighty works of healing and salvation. 13:1 prophets and teachers: See “The Gift of Prophecy” Theme Note; see also 1 Cor 12:28-29; Eph 4:11. • The name Simeon suggests a Jewish background (see Gen 29:33; Luke…”

“Cir, am 4049, ad 45 in the: Act 11:22-24, Act 14:26, Act 14:27 prophets: Act 11:25-27, Act 15:35; Rom 12:6, Rom 12:7; Co1 12:28, Co1 12:29, Co1 14:24, Co1 14:25; Eph 4:11; Th1 5:20 Barnabas: Act 4:36, Act 11:22-26, Act 11:30, Act 12:25; Co1 9:6; Gal 2:9, Gal 2:13 Lucius: Act 11:20; Rom 16:21 which: etc. or, Herod's foster brother Herod: Mat 14:1-10; Luk 3:1, Luk 3:19, Luk 3:20, Luk 13:31, Luk 13:32, Luk 23:7-11; Phi 4:22 and Saul: Act 13:9, Act 8:1-3, Act 9:1 Acts 13:2”