Manaen

Biblical Record

Manaen appears only once in the entire Bible, in Acts 13:1. This verse lists the prophets (those who proclaimed the word of God) and teachers in the church at Antioch. The list includes Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, "Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch," and Saul. A tetrarch was a ruler who governed one portion of a divided kingdom. The Herod mentioned here is generally identified as Herod Antipas, who ruled Galilee and Perea.

According to Acts 13:2–3, as these men ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabas and Saul. After fasting and prayer, the church laid hands on the two men and sent them off. This marked the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey. Scripture records nothing further about Manaen's life.

Significance Within Scripture

Manaen is often read as illustrating the diversity of backgrounds among the leaders of the church at Antioch. The list places Manaen, who was raised at a royal court, alongside Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus; men presumed to have come from Africa; and Saul, a former Pharisee.

Herod Antipas, with whom Manaen was brought up, was the man who put John the Baptist to death (Mark 6:14–29). He also questioned Jesus and treated him with contempt (Luke 23:6–12). Interpreters frequently note the contrast that someone who grew up close to such a man became a leader in the church. The Gospel of Luke also records that Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, followed Jesus (Luke 8:3). For this reason, some observe that Luke's writings show a particular interest in people connected with Herod's court.

Interpretation and Points of Discussion

• The meaning of "foster brother": The Greek word syntrophos, rendered "foster brother" in the New Korean Revised Version (and "brought up with" in the KJV), refers to one who was nursed and raised together with another. It was also used as a title for a companion raised alongside a prince or for a close associate at court. Accordingly, some view Manaen as having been nursed by the same nurse as Herod, while others see him as a courtier who grew up with Herod at court from childhood.
• Prophet or teacher?: The text does not specify which of the five men were prophets and which were teachers. Nor can it be determined from the text alone whether Manaen was among the "they" who laid hands on Barnabas and Saul.
• Speculation beyond the text: The name is generally regarded as the Greek form of the Hebrew Menahem ("comforter"). Some scholars speculate that Manaen was connected to an Essene of the same name mentioned by Josephus. Others suggest that Manaen supplied Luke with information about Herod's court. All such proposals are speculation on matters about which the biblical text is silent.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, Manaen is mentioned mainly in sermons and Bible studies on the church at Antioch rather than as a subject in his own right. The Antioch church is often presented as a model for sending out missionaries. In that context, Manaen is frequently cited as an example of people of differing social status and background serving the church together.