Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the list includes prominent figures like Barnabas and Saul, the inclusion of Manaen, a former "lifelong friend" of Herod the tetrarch, highlights a surprising connection between the early church and the very rulers who would eventually oppose them. This detail hints that even those raised in positions of power and luxury could be drawn into the revolutionary message of Christ.
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The church in Antioch, a thriving center of Gentile Christianity, is filled with spiritual leaders. Among these are prophets and teachers, including well-known figures like Barnabas and the emerging leader Saul. This gathering is about to be the launching point for a significant missionary journey, as the Holy Spirit will soon designate Barnabas and Saul for a special task.
Have you ever wondered if everyone in the early church had the same role or the same spiritual gifts? This verse introduces us to a rich variety of leaders.
The church in Antioch wasn't a one-man show! It was equipped with both 'prophets' and 'teachers.' While there might be some overlap, these roles highlight different, yet complementary, spiritual functions:
Prophets
Teachers
Both roles were vital for the health and growth of the church, demonstrating that God equips His people with a diverse range of gifts to serve Him.
Look closely at the names listed. Do they all seem like they came from similar walks of life? This hints at God's amazing ability to bring diverse people together.
The individuals named in Acts 13:1 come from vastly different social and political backgrounds, yet God sovereignly brought them together in His church:
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These leaders, with their varied life experiences and social standing, formed a powerful team. Their inclusion underscores that God isn't limited by our past or our social circles. He calls and equips all kinds of people for His purposes.
Why was this specific group of leaders in Antioch so important? This verse marks a pivotal moment, setting the stage for something huge.
The gathering of these specific 'prophets and teachers' in Antioch wasn't accidental. It was strategic preparation by the Holy Spirit for a monumental mission:
A Seminary for the Gentiles
The Call to Go Forth
This verse shows Antioch as more than just a local church; it was a vital hub, empowered by the Spirit and filled with the right people, ready to launch the gospel into the wider world.
Understand the original words
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
A group of people called out by God to be His own, representing the body of believers in a particular location or the universal assembly of all believers throughout history.
prophētai · Greek Noun
Individuals gifted by God to declare His truth, reveal His will, or interpret current events through divine revelation, often calling people to repentance or faithfulness.
didaskaloi · Greek Noun
Those equipped with the spiritual gift of explaining and applying the Scriptures to instruct the body of believers in sound doctrine and godly living.
The diverse backgrounds of the leaders in Antioch—from a childhood companion of a Herodian ruler to a Jewish Levite and a former persecutor—highlight how God brings together unlikely individuals from various social strata to spearhead His mission.
c. 4 BC
Death of Herod the Great
Herod the Great, the client king of Judea, dies. His kingdom is divided among his sons, including Herod Antipas, who becomes tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. This impacts the political landscape and the lives of those connected to the Herodian court.
c. 27-30 AD
Ministry of John the Baptist
John the Baptist preaches a message of repentance and baptism in the wilderness of Judea. His austere lifestyle and powerful message may have influenced individuals like Manaen, who was connected to Herod Antipas.
c. 30-33 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem. This pivotal event is the foundation of the Christian faith and leads to the establishment of the early church.
c. 33-36 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom and Early Persecution
Stephen, a deacon in the Jerusalem church, is martyred, sparking a period of intense persecution against Christians. Many believers scatter from Jerusalem, some finding refuge in Antioch.
c. 39-40 AD
Barnabas Sent to Antioch
The Jerusalem church sends Barnabas to investigate reports of a growing Christian community in Antioch. He witnesses the work of the Holy Spirit and encourages the believers, laying groundwork for future missions.
c. 40-45 AD— this verse
Saul and Barnabas Teach in Antioch
Barnabas travels to Tarsus to find Saul, and they return to Antioch, ministering together for about a year. During this time, the followers of Jesus are first called 'Christians.'
c. 45-48 AD
First Missionary Journey
The Holy Spirit directs the church in Antioch to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a specific mission. This marks the beginning of their extensive evangelistic journeys, particularly to the Gentile world.
This passage shows the established connection between the church in Antioch and Jerusalem, highlighting the flow of prophetic ministry and support, setting the stage for the leaders mentioned in Acts 13:1.
1 Corinthians 12:28-31This passage lists spiritual gifts within the church, including prophets and teachers, paralleling the roles and diversity of leadership found in the Antioch church described in Acts 13:1.
Matthew 9:35-38Jesus describes the crowds as like sheep without a shepherd, emphasizing the need for laborers. This verse in Acts 13:1 shows a church equipped with 'shepherds' (teachers and prophets) ready to be sent out.
Acts 1:8Jesus commissions his disciples to be witnesses starting in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 13:1 shows the strategic gathering of leaders in Antioch, poised to fulfill this commission to the Gentiles.
Ephesians 4:11-13Paul outlines how God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints. This passage illuminates the nature and purpose of the diverse spiritual leaders gathered in Antioch in Acts 13:1.
ellicottActs 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."
XIII. (1) Now there were in the church that was at Antioch.—The fulness of detail in this narrative suggests the inference that the writer was himself at Antioch at this period. Certain prophets and teachers.—The two were not necessarily identical, though the high…
bensonActs 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."
Acts 13:1 . There were in the church at Antioch certain prophets and teachers — Some of them, it seems, the stated pastors of the church, and some only occasionally resident there: Paul and Barnabas were of the latter. Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod —…
While the list includes prominent figures like Barnabas and Saul, the inclusion of Manaen, a former "lifelong friend" of Herod the tetrarch, highlights a surprising connection between the early church and the very rulers who would eventually oppose them. This detail hints that even those raised in positions of power and luxury could be drawn into the revolutionary message of Christ.
The church in Antioch, a thriving center of Gentile Christianity, is filled with spiritual leaders. Among these are prophets and teachers, including well-known figures like Barnabas and the emerging leader Saul. This gathering is about to be the launching point for a significant missionary journey, as the Holy Spirit will soon designate Barnabas and Saul for a special task.
The church in Antioch, a thriving center of Gentile Christianity, is filled with spiritual leaders. Among these are prophets and teachers, including well-known figures like Barnabas and the emerging leader Saul. This gathering is about to be the launching point for a significant missionary journey, as the Holy Spirit will soon designate Barnabas and Saul for a special task.
"Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." — While the list includes prominent figures like Barnabas and Saul, the inclusion of Manaen, a former "lifelong friend" of Herod the tetrarch, highlights a surprising connection between the early churc…
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Last reviewed October 2026