Acts 13:5 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bible Comments

When they were at Salamis. — The city was, as stated above, at the east end of Cyprus. The mention of “synagogues” implies a considerable Jewish population, and to these the Apostles, following the general rule announced in Acts 13:46, naturally, in the first instance, turned.

They had also John to their minister. — The noun so rendered is not that commonly used for the “deacons” or “ministers” of the Church, but implies rather the attendance of personal service. It is probable, however, that he was employed in baptising converts, and, where a church was founded, in preparing for the Supper of the Lord. Looking to the after-work of Mark, it would hardly, perhaps, be too much to say that he was, more than any other disciple, the courier of the Apostolic Church.

Acts 13:5

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.