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Pete Kersker - Jul 09, 2026

When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper (Acts 13:5 NIV).

Barnabas, Saul and John Mark travelled to Cyprus, where Barnabas was born and raised. The went to the synagogues (church buildings) on the East end of the island where they landed. These probably included his home church from his childhood. Barnabas got to tell his family and friends about Jesus.

They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6-7a NIV).

Travelling from the east end of the island to the west changed more than just their GPS location. The spiritual landscape changed as well. They started to encounter "Jewish" people who did not really practice their faith. In fact, Bar-Jesus had two different laws that state he should have been put to death (Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 13:5). The west end of the island was filled with Gentiles, because the Roman ruler of the island was stationed there.

The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God (Acts 13:6-7 NIV).

Have you ever tried to talk to someone about Jesus in a not friendly environment?
Did you talk to them? How did it go?

How do you think Barnabas, Saul and John Mark
stayed motivated to talk to people about Jesus
regardless of the environment?