Acts 13:4

"So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit" The Holy Spirit is the one who commanded this mission. This also tells us that the Holy Spirit would set the route. "The journey's now entered upon by Saul and Barnabas are the most momentous ever undertaken. They have shaped the history of the world" (Reese pp. 458-459). "They went down to Seleucia" (sih LOO shuh). This was the seaport near Antioch. The city was located near the mouth of the Orontes River where it falls into the Mediterranean. The distance from Seleucia to Antioch by water was 41 miles, while overland it was 16 miles. The river itself was not navigable by ocean-going boats because of its many rapids. It was founded in 300 B.C. by Seleucis. Nicator, to provide. seaport for Antioch. "Sailed to Cyprus" Remember Barnabas was born on Cyprus (Acts 4:36) and many Jews lived there.