Paul's First Missionary Journey - On Cyprus; Acts 13: 4 – 12 – Part 2

Church History: We now follow Barnabas and Saul to their new field of labor. Their departure from Antioch is thus announced by Luke:
“So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and then sailed into Cyprus.” Seleucia was the seaport nearest to Antioch. The distance was some fifteen or eighteen miles, and near the mouth of the river Orontes, on the bank of which Antioch is situated. Embarking upon some trading vessel, they sailed to the port of Salamis. This was the principal city and seaport of Cyprus. It was situated on the south-east part of the island, and was afterwards called Constantia. In choosing this island as the first point in the wide world to which they directed their steps, they were, doubtless, guided not by the natural partiality which Barnabas may have felt for it as his native land (Acts 4:36), but by that fixed principle in the apostolic labors which taught them to cultivate first those fields which promised the most abundant harvest. The fact that this was the native island of Barnabas gave him hope of a more ready access to many old associates. Besides, the gospel had already been proclaimed here with some success among the Jews (Acts 11:19-20), and in the city of Salamis, as we learn from the text just quoted, there was more than one Jewish synagogue.8, 2
Jews were living in all the countries adjacent to Judea; and in those countries they had synagogues. The apostles uniformly preached first to them. John Mark, (Acts 12:12), was their attendant; he was with them as a companion, yet not pretending to be equal to them in office. They had been specifically designated to this work. He was with them as their friend and travelling companion; perhaps also employed in making the needful arrangements for their comfort, and for the supply of their wants in their travels.