What Does Acts 13:5 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The message moves through both public proclamation and the quieter service that carries the work.
THE MEANING
The word is carried into public places by voices, while the work also includes a named attendant beside the speakers. Proclamation and practical support belong to one movement, and both are visible here.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that only the public speaker matters: John’s service is named as part of the same work.
THE ROOT
ὑπηρέτην
hypēretēn
GROWS FROM
ὑπηρετ-
hypēret-
One who serves as an attendant or assistant.
“minister” in this verse is hypēretēn. The Greek noun names John’s practical role as an attendant. Its traditional etymology evokes an under-rower, suggesting the support that helps carry shared work forward.
ALSO GROWS
hypēretēs: An attendant or assistant.
ὑπηρέτης
This is the noun’s base form and makes clear that John’s role is one of service beside the proclaimers.
hypēreteō: To serve or assist.
ὑπηρετέω
The related verb shows the role as an act of helping, not merely a title.
hypēresia: Service or attendance.
ὑπηρεσία
This related noun names the supporting work that accompanies the proclamation.
κατήγγελλον
katēngellon
GROWS FROM
ἀγγελ-
angel-
To announce or report something.
“preached” in this verse is katēngellon. The Greek verb belongs to the announcing family, which also gives the word for messenger. The message reaches people as it is carried aloud.
ALSO GROWS
angelos: A messenger, one who carries a message.
ἄγγελος
The shared word family links proclamation with the act of carrying a message to others.
euangelizō: To announce or bring good news.
εὐαγγελίζω
This related form shows the same announcing root carrying good news.
λόγον
logon
GROWS FROM
λεγ-/λογ- (leg-/log-, saying or telling)
Speech, saying, or a message.
The Greek λόγος (logos, word or message) can also mean an account or explanation, so the phrase carries more than a sound: it names a message with meaning. Here the announcement is of God’s message.
ALSO GROWS
legō: To say or tell.
λέγω
The related verb makes the spoken character of the message visible.
logion: A saying or divine utterance.
λόγιον
This branch shows λόγος-family words used for meaningful utterances.
logizomai: To reckon, account, or consider.
λογίζομαι
This branch carries the sense of giving an account or taking something into consideration.
THE PATTERN
Shared work carries a purpose through distinct forms of service, including public witness and the support that sustains it.
But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.THE THREAD
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;Acts 26:16 uses the same Greek noun, ὑπηρέτην (hypēretēn, attendant or assistant), for “minister,” pairing the role with witness. The connection holds practical service and public testimony together.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us