The same pair of particles is used here as occurs in 1.6, and indicates the beginning of a new section in the narrative. In the Greek text Barnabas and Saul is merely “they,” but there is no doubt that these two men are meant, and it is best to make this information clear for the reader, especially since a new section has been introduced.

Seleucia, on the coast sixteen miles west of Antioch, was the port city of Antioch. Cyprus, the home Barnabas, was an island noted for its copper mines. In 57 B.C. the island was taken over by the Romans, and in 22 B.C. it was made a senatorial province governed by a proconsul (the word translated Governor).

The dependent phrase having been sent by the Holy Spirit may need to be expressed as a separate clause in an active form, “the Holy Spirit had sent them.”

In translating went down to Seleucia it may be useful to specify precisely what is meant by “going down.” In this case “going down to the seacoast at Seleucia.”

Though in many languages it is impossible to distinguish carefully between different types of boats by the use of distinctive verbs designating such travel, one should not attempt to be overly precise. Sailed in this context simply means “went by boat.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .