And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
- BSB And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
- NKJV Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
- NASB Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
- NLT So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
After fasting and prayer, the church lays hands on Barnabas and Saul and sends them off. The congregation commissions those God has called.
Overview
The laying on of hands signifies the church's identification with and blessing upon the missionaries, not a transfer of the Spirit they already possessed. Prayer and fasting frame the solemn sending. The scene models how the local church partners with God by affirming, commissioning, and supporting those set apart for ministry.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Acts 6:6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
- 2 Tim 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
- 1 Tim 4:14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
- Acts 14:26And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
- Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
- Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
- 1 Tim 5:22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
- Num 27:23And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
- Rom 10:15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
- 3 Jn 1:8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
- Acts 8:15–17Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
- 2 Tim 1:6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
- Acts 15:40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
- Acts 9:17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
- 3 Jn 1:6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 13:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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