Acts 13:3

Acts 13:3

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

a. NLT: So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

b. NIV: So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

c. YLT: then having fasted, and having prayed, and having laid the hands on them, they sent them away.

d. Amplified Bible: Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away.

e. Worrell Translation: Then, having fasted and prayed, and having laid hands on them, they sent them away.

1. “And when they had fasted and prayed…”

a. And [Strong:5119 * tote tot'-eh from (the neuter of) 3588 and 3753; the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution):--that time, then.]

b. when they had fasted [Strong: 3522 * nesteuo nace-tyoo'-o from 3523; to abstain from food (religiously):--fast.]

c. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee 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. prayed [Strong: 4336 * proseuchomai pros-yoo'-khom-ahee from 4314 and 2172; to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship:--pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.]

1). William Ramsay, in his book Saint Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, says “There is a marked distinction between the general rule of life in verse 2, and the single special ceremony in verse 3. An appreciable lapse of time in implied…”

 2). It appears that after the initial prophetic utterance that the congregation prayed further, seeking further confirmation, and then the leaders laid hands on Barnabas and Saul and then sent them away.

2. “…and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

a. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee 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.]

b. laid…on [Strong: 2007 * epitithemi ep-ee-tith'-ay-mee from 1909 and 5087; to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense):--add unto, lade, lay upon, put (up) on, set on (up), + surname, X wound.]

c. their hands [Strong: 5495 * cheir khire perhaps from the base of 5494 in the sense of its congener the base of 5490 (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument):--hand.]

d. them [Strong: 846 * autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

1). Laying on of hands is one of the elementary doctrines of Christ.

a). 1). Hebrews 6:1, 2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

2). The doctrine has a few variations one of which is instilling a “charge” as in Numbers, when Joshua was set apart and given the charge.

a). Numbers 27:18-23 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;

27:19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.

27:20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

27:22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:

27:23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

b). My belief is that the laying on of hands in Acts 13:3 was similar to Numbers 27:18-23, in that they were acknowledging and being obedient to the command of the Holy Ghost in verse 2.

e. they sent them away [Strong: 630 * apoluo ap-ol-oo'-o from 575 and 3089; to free fully, i.e. (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce:--(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.]