“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.”
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues — the missionaries follow the established pattern: seek out the synagogue, the center of Jewish communal and spiritual life. Salamis, the major port city of Cyprus, would have had a substantial Jewish population. The plural synagogues suggests multiple communities where Paul and Barnabas find receptive audiences. John Mark's role as helper (hyperetes) recalls his function as an attendant, perhaps managing logistics or leading prayers.
Church Fathers on Acts 13:5
As soon as they were ordained they went forth, and hasted to Cyprus, that being a place where was no ill-design hatching against them, and where moreover the Word had been sown already. In Antioch there were (teachers) enough, and Phœnice too was near to Palestine; but Cyprus not so. However, you are not to make a question of the why and wherefore, when it is the Spirit that directs their movements: for they were not only ordained by the Spirit, but sent forth by Him…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!