Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 13:1

NOW there were in the church that was at Antioch, certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

The true Church, which hath a being, and whose builder and maker is God. Other Churches (as that of the Circumcision) are no Churches or Congregations of the Faithful.

These two Offices might be in the same person, as he that had the Gift of Prophesie, and could foretel things to come, might be a teacher to instruct the People; but yet they were frequently appertaining to several persons, one excelling in one Gift, another in another.

This Simeon is thus distinguished from Simon Peter, and from Simon the Canaanite, this name of Niger being given him by the Romans.

This hath been thought the name of Luke, it being more after the Latin termination; and that it might be he that wrote the Gospel called by his name, and this Book of the Acts. Howsoever we meet with this name, Rom. 16.21. And St. Paul sends Salutation unto him that was so called. Born at a place so called, or brought up in the Synagogue of the Cyrenians. Of which Chap. 6.9. Either this Manaen was Herod's Foster-Brother, or had the same Tutors and Instructors with him, their Education being together. This Herod was Herod Antipas, who set at nought our Saviour, and killed the Baptist. And yet Manaen, as another Moses, kept his integrity in that Pharaoh's Court. And as Moses, Heb. 11.25▪ he chose rather to suffer affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Thus there was an Obadiah in Ahab's House, 1 Kin. 18.3. and divers believe in Nero's Family, Phil. 4.22.

Marginal references: Chap. 14.26.; Or, Herods Foster-Brother.