Then, when they had fasted, 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.
- KJV And 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.
- 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. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
- 2 Tim 2:2The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
- 1 Tim 4:14Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.
- Acts 14:26From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
- Acts 14:23When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
- Acts 13:2As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”
- 1 Tim 5:22Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
- Num 27:23He laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
- Rom 10:15And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
- 3 Jn 1:8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
- Acts 8:15–17who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
- 2 Tim 1:6For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
- Acts 15:40but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
- Acts 9:17Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
- 3 Jn 1:6They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God,
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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