Acts 13:5
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text subtly highlights John Mark's role not as an equal preacher, but as an "attendant" or "assistant" – a crucial support person who enabled the apostles to focus entirely on proclaiming the Word. This detail reminds us that God uses diverse gifts, and even seemingly smaller roles are vital for the mission's success.
Sent out by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas first arrived at Salamis, a major port city on the island of Cyprus. There, they followed their usual practice of preaching the message of God within the Jewish synagogues, knowing many Jewish communities were scattered throughout the region. Accompanying them was John Mark, who served as their attendant, likely assisting with practical matters so Paul and Barnabas could focus on their teaching ministry.
Paul and Barnabas didn't just pick a travel destination. They were sent out by the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to be Spirit-led in our own lives and ministries?
The journey described in Acts 13 begins with a clear directive from the Holy Spirit: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2). This isn't a human-initiated mission; it's a divine commission.
When they arrived in Salamis, their immediate action was to preach in the Jewish synagogues. This strategy wasn't random. It aligns with the consistent pattern Paul would follow: to go first to the Jews, offering them the Gospel message before turning to the Gentiles (as stated in Acts 13:46). This demonstrates a deliberate, Spirit-guided approach that respects the established order and God's unfolding plan.
Even with a clear calling, the Spirit's guidance is often seen in the specific steps taken. The choice of location and the initial audience reveal a calculated, yet Spirit-directed, strategy for evangelism.
Beside the prominent apostles Paul and Barnabas, there was John Mark, "their minister." What can we learn about service and support in ministry from his example?
The presence of John Mark, also known as John Mark, as an "attendant" or "minister" (Greek: hupereten) highlights an important aspect of the early church's ministry: the vital role of support staff.
While Paul and Barnabas were the primary preachers, Mark's role was crucial. The term hupereten suggests someone who assists in minor duties, perhaps managing practical arrangements, traveling logistics, or even assisting in baptisms and preparing for the Lord's Supper, as some scholars suggest. This freed up the main leaders to focus on teaching and preaching the Word.
Mark's involvement here shows that ministry isn't solely about the spotlighted leaders. It's a team effort where every role, even one that seems secondary, is essential to the overall mission. His later significant contributions to the Gospel of Mark also point to the growth and development that can occur through humble service.
Understand the original words
logos tou theou · Greek Noun phrase
The message of the Gospel—the announcement of God’s redemptive plan, His character, and His commands, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
synagōgē · Greek Noun
Local Jewish gathering places for the reading of the Torah, instruction in the Law, and prayer, which served as initial venues for the early Christian missionaries to preach the Gospel.
This verse places Paul and Barnabas at the very beginning of their major missionary work, demonstrating their consistent pattern of first engaging with Jewish communities in the diaspora, even as they were divinely sent to reach the Gentile world.
c. AD 40s-50s
First Jerusalem Council
The Council of Jerusalem addressed the issue of whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, affirming that salvation came through faith in Christ, not adherence to Mosaic law. This decision paved the way for wider Gentile evangelism.
c. AD 48-49
Paul and Barnabas' First Missionary Journey Begins
Sent out by the Holy Spirit from Antioch, Barnabas and Paul embarked on their first major missionary journey, initially focusing on the island of Cyprus and then venturing into Asia Minor.
c. AD 49— this verse
Arrival and Ministry in Cyprus
Barnabas and Paul arrived in Cyprus, beginning their mission by preaching in the Jewish synagogues. John Mark accompanied them as their assistant.
c. AD 49
Encounter with Sergius Paulus and Elymas
On Cyprus, they encountered Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, and the sorcerer Elymas. Paul's confrontation with Elymas and Sergius Paulus' subsequent conversion marked a significant moment in their ministry to Gentiles.
This passage mirrors the apostles' consistent strategy of first sharing the gospel in Jewish synagogues wherever they went, highlighting a pattern of ministry.
Luke 24:47Jesus Himself commanded that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem, which the apostles were carrying out.
Romans 1:16Paul's declaration that he is not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile, explains the reasoning behind their approach in the synagogues.
Acts 12:25This verse introduces John Mark as Barnabas and Saul's 'attendant' or 'assistant,' directly linking to his role described in Acts 13:5.
Acts 13:46This verse shows the turning point where, after the Jews rejected the message, the apostles declared they would turn to the Gentiles, framing the synagogue ministry in Acts 13:5 as an initial step.
ellicottActs 13:5: "And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister."
(5) When they were at Salamis. —The city was, as stated above, at the east end of Cyprus. The mention of “synagogues” implies a considerable Jewish population, and to these the Apostles, following the general rule announced in Acts 13:46 , naturally, in the first instance, turned. They had also John to their minister.—The noun so rendered is not that…
clarkeActs 13:5: "And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister."
Salamis - The capital of the island of Cyprus; afterwards called Constantia, and now Salina, situated on the eastern part of the island. They preached the word of God - Τον λογον, The doctrine of God, the Christian religion, emphatically so called. They had also John to their minister - This was John Mark, of whom we heard, Acts 12:25; for their mini…
The text subtly highlights John Mark's role not as an equal preacher, but as an "attendant" or "assistant" – a crucial support person who enabled the apostles to focus entirely on proclaiming the Word. This detail reminds us that God uses diverse gifts, and even seemingly smaller roles are vital for the mission's success.
Sent out by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas first arrived at Salamis, a major port city on the island of Cyprus. There, they followed their usual practice of preaching the message of God within the Jewish synagogues, knowing many Jewish communities were scattered throughout the region. Accompanying them was John Mark, who served as their attendant, likely assisting with practical matters so Paul and Barnabas could focus on their teaching ministry.
Sent out by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas first arrived at Salamis, a major port city on the island of Cyprus. There, they followed their usual practice of preaching the message of God within the Jewish synagogues, knowing many Jewish communities were scattered throughout the region. Accompanying them was John Mark, who served as their attendant, likely assisting with practical matters so Paul and Barnabas could focus on their teaching ministry.
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c. AD 50-52
Paul and Barnabas' Second Missionary Journey
After returning to Antioch, Barnabas and Paul undertook a second journey, revisiting churches they had established and expanding their reach further into Asia Minor and Greece. John Mark did not accompany them on this journey.
c. AD 62
John Mark's Association with Peter
Tradition holds that John Mark was with the Apostle Peter in Rome, where he likely wrote his Gospel, drawing on Peter's teachings and possibly his own experiences from the early missionary journeys.
"When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them." — The text subtly highlights John Mark's role not as an equal preacher, but as an "attendant" or "assistant" – a crucial support person who enabled the apostles to focus entirely on proclaiming the Wor…
