Bible Strands
Acts 13:3
And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Antioch church leaders respond to the Holy Spirit’s command in 13:2 to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a specific mission. They act immediately after the divine directive, formally commissioning the two men before their departure.
The words — νηστεύσαντες (nēsteusantes) = having fasted and ἐπιθέντες (epithentes) = having laid describe the physical preparation and symbolic transfer of authority. The text records these actions as completed prior to the commissioning and sending.
The thread — Acts 6:6 records a parallel commissioning sequence involving prayer and the laying on of hands. Acts 14:26 later tracks the same pair sailing to Antioch to be commended to God’s grace, while 2 Timothy 2:2 notes a similar pattern of entrusting entrusted work to faithful successors.
Why it lands — It requires recognizing that formal commissioning follows explicit divine direction and involves concrete communal actions. It demands obedience to the subsequent departure without waiting for further instruction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Cross-references
- Acts 6:6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
- Acts 14:26 From Attalia they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had just completed.
- 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
- Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
- Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
- 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.
- Numbers 27:23 and laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD had instructed through Moses.
- Romans 10:15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
- 1 Timothy 5:22 Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
- 3 John 1:8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.