Acts 13:1

Acts 13:1

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

a. NLT: Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”fn), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipasfn), and Saul.

b. NIV: Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

c. YLT: And there were certain in Antioch, in the assembly there, prophets and teachers; both Barnabas, and Simeon who is called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen also -- Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother -- and Saul;

d. Amplified Bible: Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets [who spoke a new message of God to the people] and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch, and Saul.

e. Worrell Translation: Now there were in Antioch, in the assembly which was there, prophets and teachers; both Barnabas and Symmeon wo is called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, and Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

1. “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers…”

a. Now [1161 * de] [Strong: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. there were [2258 * en [Strong:  imperfect of 1510; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.]

c. in [2596 * kata] [Strong: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

d. the church [1577 * ekklesia] [Strong: from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.]

e. that was [5607 * on] [Strong: including the feminine ousa oo'-sah; and the neuter on on present participle of 1510; being:--be, come, have.]

f. at [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

g. Antioch [490 * Antiocheia] [Strong: from Antiochus (a Syrian king); Antiochia, a place in Syria:--Antioch.]

h. certain [5100 * tis] [Strong: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).]

i. prophets [4396 * prophetes] [Strong: from a compound of 4253 and 5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet.]

j. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

k. teachers [1320 * didaskalos] [Strong: from 1321; an instructor (genitive case or specially):--doctor, master, teacher.

1). Some writers divide up the group as the first three were prophets and the last two were teachers.

2. “…as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen,”

a. as [5037 * te] [Strong: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of 2532):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.]

b. Barnabas [921 * Barnabas] [Strong:  of Chaldee origin (1247 and 5029); son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite:--Barnabas.]

1). Since he was mentioned first, Barnabas is the most prominent because he was sent by the apostles from Jerusalem.

c. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. Simeon [4826 * Sumeon] [Strong: from the same as 4613; Symeon (i.e. Shimon), the name of five Israelites:--Simeon, Simon.]

1). Simeon [The Book Of Acts, Stanley M. Horton: “Simeon (Simon) caked Niger. Simeon (Simon) was a common Hebrew name; Niger means black. Some writers believe he was the child of a Jew who had married a negro. Others speculate that he may have been Simon the Cyrenian who carried the cross (Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).

c. that was called [2564 * kaleo] [Strong: akin to the base of 2753; to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise):--bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).]

d. Niger [3526 * Niger] [Strong: of Latin origin; black; Niger, a Christian:--Niger.]

e. and [2532 * kai] See “and” above.

f. Lucius [3066 * Loukios] [Strong: of Latin origin; illuminative; Lucius, a Christian:--Lucius.]

g. of Cyrene [2956 * Kurenaios] [Strong: from 2957; i.e. Cyrenaean, i.e. inhabitant of Cyrene:--of Cyrene, Cyrenian.]

1). Since some of the founders of the church at Antioch were from Cyrene, it is possible that Lucius was one of them.

a). Acts 11:19-23  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.

19:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

19:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

19:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

19:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

h. and [5037 * te] [Strong: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of 2532):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.]

i. Manaen [3127 * Manaen] [Strong: of uncertain origin; Manaen, a Christian:--Manaen.]

1). Manaen

3. “…which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”

a. which had brought up with [4939 * suntrophos] [Strong: from 4862 and 5162 (in a passive sense); a fellow-nursling, i.e. comrade:--brought up with.]

1). Horton: Manean was brought up with Herod the tetrarch (Herod Antipas, who killed John the Baptist). He is literally called a foster-brother and was about the same age as Herod.

b. Herod [2264 * Herodes [Strong: compound of heros (a "hero") and 1491; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings:--Herod.]

c. tetrarch [5076 * tetraraches] [Strong: from 5064 and 757; the ruler of a fourth part of a country ("tetrarch"):--tetrarch.]

d. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

e. Saul [4569 * Saulos] [Strong: of Hebrew origin, the same as 4549; Saulus (i.e. Shaul), the Jewish name of Paul:--Saul.]