Acts 13:3

Acts 13:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
• New International Version (NIV)So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Context of Acts 13:3

1Barnabas, Simeon (called the Black), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (a close friend of Herod since childhood), and Saul were prophets and teachers in the church in Antioch. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me. I want them to do the work for which I called them.” After fasting and praying, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul, and released them ⌞from their work in Antioch⌟. 4After Barnabas and Saul were sent by the Holy Spirit, they went to the city of Seleucia and from there sailed to the island of Cyprus. 5Arriving in the city of Salamis, they began to spread God’s word in the synagogues. John Mark had gone along to help them.

Acts 13:3 word by word

τότε νηστεύσαντες καὶ προσευξάμενοι καὶ ἐπιθέντες τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῖς ἀπέλυσαν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And whenτότεtote · thenG5119
• they had fastedνηστεύωnēsteuō · to fastG3522
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• prayedπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
• laidἐπιτίθημιepitithēmi · to put/lay onG2007
• handsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• handsχείρcheir · handG5495
• on themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• they sentἀπολύωapoluō · to release: releaseG630

Cross-references for Acts 13:3

• Acts 13:2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me. I want them to do the work for which I called them.”
• Acts 6:6The disciples had these men stand in front of the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on these seven men.
• Acts 8:15Peter and John went to Samaria and prayed that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 9:17Ananias left and entered Judas’ house. After he placed his hands on Saul, Ananias said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way to Damascus, sent me to you. He wants you to see again and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
• Acts 14:23They had the disciples in each church choose spiritual leaders, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted the leaders to the Lord in whom they believed.
• Numbers 27:23Moses placed his hands on Joshua and gave him his instructions as the Lord had told him.
• 1 Timothy 4:14Don’t neglect the gift which you received through prophecy when the spiritual leaders placed their hands on you ⌞to ordain you⌟.
• 1 Timothy 5:22Don’t be in a hurry to place your hands on anyone ⌞to ordain him⌟. Don’t participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself morally pure.
• 2 Timothy 1:6You received a gift from God when I placed my hands on you ⌞to ordain you⌟. Now I’m reminding you to fan that gift into flames.
• 2 Timothy 2:2You’ve heard my message, and it’s been confirmed by many witnesses. Entrust this message to faithful individuals who will be competent to teach others.
• Acts 14:26From Attalia they took a boat and headed home to the city of Antioch ⌞in Syria⌟. (In Antioch they had been entrusted to God’s care for the work they had now finished.)
• Acts 15:40Paul chose Silas and left after the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s care.
• Romans 10:15How can people tell the Good News if no one sends them? As Scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News.”
• 3 John 1:6These believers have told the congregation about your love. You will do well to support them on their trip in a way that proves you belong to God.

Commentaries on Acts 13:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them - They fasted: this was probably done by the whole Church. They prayed, that God would bless and prosper them in their work. They land hands upon them; thus solemnly appointing them to that particular work. But was it by this fasting, praying, and imposition of hands that these men were qualified for this work? No. God had already called them to it, Acts 13:2, and he who called them had…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And when they had fasted - They were fasting when they were commanded to set them apart. Yet this probably refers to an appointed day of prayer, with reference to this very purpose. The first formal mission to the Gentiles was an important event in the church, and they engaged in this appointment with deep solemnity and with humbling themselves before God. And prayed - This enterprise was a new one. The gospel had been preached to the Jews, to Cornelius…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3they laid their hands on them: They performed this holy act only after more fasting and prayer. The Pastoral Letters (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) caution against appointing someone as a Christian leader without proper care and background checks (1 Timothy 5:22). At this point, the church at Antioch sent Barnabas and Saul as its representatives for the mission.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. laid their hands on them--(See on Ac 6:6)--"recommending them to the grace of God for the work which they had to fulfil" (Ac 14:26). sent them away--with the double call--of the Spirit first, and next of the Church. So clothed, their mission is thus described: "They being sent forth by the Holy Ghost." Have we not here for all time the true principle of appointment to sacred offices?Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 13:3

• Call
• Church
• Fasting
• Minister, Christian
• Missions
• Paul

In the dictionaries

• Fast
• Light
• Lo
• Ordain
• Prophet
• Season
• Simeon
• Stock
• Abstinence
• Acts of the Apostles

Commentaries on Acts 13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings