NT Person The Early Church ☍ Family Tree

Silas

SilasSilvanus (alias)

Leading prophet from the Jerusalem church chosen by Paul after the separation from Barnabas — multiplying one missionary team into two and singing hymns with Paul at midnight in the Philippian stocks.

Testament NT

Historical Era The Early Church

Featured In Season 13

Key Passage Acts 15:22–41

✦ Tap Any Card to Unfold Full Scriptural Proof (3 Verified Insights)

Greek: Silas / Latin: Silvanus (from Aramaic: She'ila — 'Asked for')

Acts 15:402 Corinthians 1:19

Prophet, missionary partner of Paul, and apostolic co-author/scribe

Acts 15:32, 401 Thessalonians 1:11 Peter 5:12

Even in the sharp disagreement of Acts 15, God's sovereignty multiplied one missionary team into two: Barnabas and Mark by sea to Cyprus, and Paul and Silas overland through Syria.

Episode S13E2 →

📜 Complete Scriptural Narrative

Recognized as a leading man and prophet among the brothers in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22, 32) and a Roman citizen like Paul (Acts 16:37), Silas was chosen by Paul in Antioch after Barnabas sailed to Cyprus with John Mark (Acts 15:40). Traveling overland through Syria, Cilicia, and Macedonia, Silas sang hymns with Paul at midnight with their feet in the stocks at Philippi when an earthquake shook open the prison doors, and later served alongside Peter as faithful scribe of 1 Peter (Acts 16:25–26; 1 Peter 5:12).

How Students Search & Remember Silas:

“chosen by paul for the second missionary journey”“sang hymns with paul at midnight in the philippian prison”“silas silvanus prophet from jerusalem”

ESV Scripture Index:

Acts 15:22–41Acts 16:19–401 Thessalonians 1:11 Peter 5:12

Season 13 • Episode 2 Main Character Acts 13 & 15 • 2 Timothy 4

Full Episode Page →