Those who were scattered everywhere as a result of the persecution [being waged against the church] because of Stephen’s [death], traveled as far away as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, declaring the message to Jews only.
Acts 13:4 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) So, as they were sent out by [the direction of] the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia [a seaport], and from there they sailed on to [the island of] Cyprus. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition So then, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from [that port] they sailed away to Cyprus. American Standard Version (1901) So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Common English Bible After the Holy Spirit sent them on their way, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. Catholic Public Domain Version And having been sent by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. And from there they sailed to Cyprus. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version So they being sent by the Holy Ghost, went to Seleucia: and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. |
Those who were scattered everywhere as a result of the persecution [being waged against the church] because of Stephen’s [death], traveled as far away as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, declaring the message to Jews only.
As these men were ministering to the Lord [i.e., this probably means worshiping] and fasting, the Holy Spirit said [to one of them by way of inspiration]: “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me, [commissioning them] to do the work for which I have called them.”
Then, as these prophets and teachers fasted and prayed [for the two men], they placed their hands on them [signifying their appointment for this ministry] and sent them away.
Then after some days Paul suggested to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we proclaimed the message of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
except that the Holy Spirit reveals to me in every city [I visit] that chains and persecutions await me there.
We headed out to sea from there and sailed along the sheltered side of Cyprus because the wind was against us.
And Joseph, who was called by the apostles, Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), was a descendant of the Jewish tribe of Levi, whose family originated from [the island of] Cyprus.