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

1Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. 4So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. 5There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.

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 13:2One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”
• Acts 6:6These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
• Acts 8:15As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 9:17So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
• Acts 14:23Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
• Numbers 27:23Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to lead the people, just as the Lord had commanded through Moses.
• 1 Timothy 4:14Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.
• 1 Timothy 5:22Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
• 2 Timothy 1:6This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
• 2 Timothy 2:2You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
• Acts 14:26Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed.
• Acts 15:40Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.
• Romans 10:15And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
• 3 John 1:6They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases 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