Acts 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.

Acts 13:5 (KJV)

Context

Acts, the fifth book of the New Testament, records the early church’s history and the apostles’ ministry. Acts 13:5 sits within the account of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey. They have just arrived at Salamis, the chief city of Cyprus, and immediately begin their work.

Meaning

The verse shows their priority: they preach the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. This was Paul’s consistent practice—to bring the gospel first to the Jewish people in their places of worship. The preaching was a deliberate declaration of God’s message, centered on Jesus as the Messiah, not a casual discussion.

The mention of John, also known as John Mark, as their minister indicates a team effort. The term “minister” suggests a helper or attendant, likely assisting with practical tasks and supporting the apostles’ work. This highlights that gospel ministry often involves various roles working together.

Biblical connections

This pattern of going to the Jews first is seen later in Acts, where Paul and Barnabas continue this approach. John Mark’s presence here is significant, as he would later depart from them in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13), yet his role at Salamis underscores the value of faithful companions in ministry.

Application

This verse encourages believers to prioritize proclaiming God’s word and to value the support of fellow workers. It also demonstrates that the early church used the existing structure of synagogue worship as a platform to declare the gospel, reminding us to meet people where they are with the message of Christ.

Reflection

Consider how you can support those who are actively sharing the gospel, and how you might use your own sphere of influence to declare the word of God faithfully.