NEW TESTAMENT

Simeon called Niger. Named second among the prophets and teachers at Antioch when Barnabas and Saul were sent out; Scripture says no more of him.

SCRIPTURE SAYS

One of the “prophets and teachers” in the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1)

ERA

New Testament AD 1–60

IN THE DAYS OF

No ruler named beside him

BOOK

None bears the name

HOW THE WORD CAME

At Antioch, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

THE CALL

How the word came

  • From the textAt Antioch, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” After fasting and prayer they laid hands on the two and sent them away. Acts does not say through which of the prophets the Holy Ghost spoke. Acts 13:1–3

THE MESSAGE

The word in its main themes

The sending of Barnabas and Saul

“Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

Acts 13:2 (KJV) →

PLACES

Where his story happened

  • Antioch · “The church that was at Antioch”

SIGNS

Signs and wonders

SIGN

Hands laid on Barnabas and Saul

COMPANIONS AND OPPONENTS

Who stood with him, and against him

Barnabas

Saul (Paul)

Lucius of Cyrene

Manaen

HOW THE STORY ENDS

Scripture says, tradition says

SCRIPTURE SAYS

  • From the textActs names Simeon only here. Acts 13:1

TRADITION SAYS

No tradition is recorded here.

OPEN QUESTIONS

Where readers have differed

Barnabas, Simeon and Lucius prophets; Manaen and Saul teachers

H. A. W. Meyer (English 1877–1879); Alford (as reported by Hervey, 1884); Ramsay, Weiss, Harnack and others (as listed by Knowling, 1900)

Meyer reads the Greek joining words as making two groups, “the three first named are to be considered as prophets, and the other two as teachers.” Acts 13:1 [54][56][55]

All five were prophets and teachers

Albert Barnes; Wendt, Hort, Gore and Page (as listed by Knowling, 1900)

Barnes: “It is probable that those mentioned here as prophets were the same persons as the teachers.” Against the two-group reading, Wendt and others point out that Paul himself later claims the prophetic gift (as reported by Knowling). Acts 13:1 [57][55]

IN SCRIPTURE

Every passage

CHAPTERS · 2

Acts 11 Acts 13

PASSAGES · 2

Acts 11:19–30 Acts 13:1–4

WHAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY

  • Scripture does not say where Simeon came from, or why he was called Niger.
  • Acts does not say which of the five spoke the Holy Ghost’s word.

SOURCES

Where this page comes from

  • A. Plummer, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to S. Luke (International Critical Commentary) (1896), on Luke 3:1, pp. 81-84.
  • W. M. Ramsay, Was Christ Born at Bethlehem? A Study on the Credibility of St. Luke (1898), ch. XI, pp. 227-245.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Notes on Luke 2:2 and 3:1 (about 1880), read on Bible Hub.
  • Origen, tr. Allan Menzies, Commentary on the Gospel of John, book 6 (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 9) (1896), 6.24.
  • Jerome, tr. W. H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W. G. Martley, Letter 108, to Eustochium (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 6) (1893), 108.13; the translators date the letter to AD 404.
  • Theodoret, tr. Blomfield Jackson, Ecclesiastical History, book 3 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 3) (1892), 3.3.
  • tr. Alexander Walker, The Protevangelium of James (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 8) (1886), chs. 22–24.
  • The Catholic Encyclopedia, "Apocrypha", vol. 1 (1907), section on the Protoevangelium Jacobi.
  • tr. J. H. MacMahon, "The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles", in the appendix of "dubious and spurious pieces" printed with the works of Hippolytus (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5) (1886), nos. 32 and 44 (New Advent titles its page "Pseudo-Hippolytus").
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 3:4 (about 1878), note on Matthew 3:4; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Matthew 3:4; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 11:3 (about 1878), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. B. Bruce, The Expositor's Greek Testament: Matthew (1897), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Carr, The Gospel according to St Matthew (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1878), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Matthew (1880–1897), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 17:11 (about 1878), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of Matthew (English translation) (1879), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Matthew (1880–1897), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Mark 1:2 (about 1878), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Mark (1880–1897), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Luke 2:25 (about 1878), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospels of Mark and Luke (English translation) (1880), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • F. W. Farrar, The Gospel according to St Luke (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • Joseph Benson, Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Luke 2:37 (about 1878), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. B. Bruce, The Expositor's Greek Testament: Luke (1897), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. W. Watkins, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on John 1:28 (about 1879), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St John (1880–1897), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 11:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Acts 13:1 (about 1880), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. C. Hervey, Acts (Pulpit Commentary) (1884), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Acts 15:22 (about 1880), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 15:34; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 15:34; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.

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