Acts 13:7-8 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:4-12

The gospel in Cyprus. Break in the narrative, the second portion, referring to the missionary labors of St. Paul, reminding us that the chief purpose of the book is to describe the growth of the Church, not directly its constitution or doctrines or discipline. Notice— I. THE TENTATIVE CHARACTER of this first missionary journey, which embraced Cyprus, Pamphylia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and so back through Attalia to Antioch. The Church at Antioch kept in view, and the report of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:4-13

Forwardness and frailty. The two leading points in this passage are the forwardness of Bar-jesus and the frailty of Mark. But there are other incidental lessons which spring up by the way. We may learn as we pass: 1. That good work for others comes home with a blessing before long. Some of the scattered Christians were men of Cyprus, " who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks" ( Acts 11:20 ); and here are men from the Church which the Cypriots helped to form... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:7

The proconsul for the deputy of the country, A.V.; a man of understanding for a prudent man, A.V.; the same for who, A.V.; unto him for for, A.V.; sought for desired, A.V. The proconsul ( ἀνθύπατος ) ; here and Acts 13:8 , Acts 13:12 . This is an instance of Luke's great accuracy. Cyprus had become a proconsular province in the reign of Claudius, having previously been one of the emperor's provinces governed by a propraetor, or legatus. £ A man of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:7

Seekers after God. This passage introduces to us a Roman official, speaks of him in generally good terms as a " prudent man," but lets us know something of his secret feelings and his unrest of heart, by adding that he "desired to hear the Word of God." The way in which heathen religions prepared the way for the gospel is often pointed out, but we have not yet adequately apprehended the fact that a Divine work of preparation was carried on in many heathen souls; such instances as this of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:8

Turn aside for turn away, A.V.; proconsul for deputy, A.V. Elymas , from the Arabic elite, plural oulema, a wise man, a wizard, a magician. But Renan thinks this derivation doubtful. Elymas withstood Barnabas and Saul just as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses ( 2 Timothy 3:8 , ἀντέστησαν ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 13:7

Which was with the deputy - Or with the proconsul. The exact accuracy of Luke in this statement is worthy of special remark. In the time when Augustus united the world under his own power, the provinces were divided into two classes. Augustus found two names which were applied to public officers in existence, one of which was henceforward inseparably blended with the imperial dignity and with military command, and the other with the authority of the senate and its civil administration. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 13:8

}But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) - Elymas the magician. Elymas is the interpretation, not of the name Bar-jesus, but of the word rendered “the sorcerer.” It is an Arabic word, and means the same as Magus. It seems that he was better known by this foreign name than by his own.Withstood them - Resisted them. He was sensible that if the influence of Saul and Barnabas should be extended over the proconsul, that he would be seen to be an impostor, and his power be at... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 13:6-8

Acts 13:6-8. When they had gone through the isle unto Paphos Which lay on its western coast; they found a certain sorcerer Or magician; a false prophet Who falsely pretended to foretel future events; a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus Or the son of one Jesus, or Joshua. “There were many instances of real or pretended sorcery among the Jews in those days, which seems to have been designed by Satan and wicked men to bring into disrepute the miracles of Christ and his apostles. But by... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 13:4-12

Preaching in Cyprus (13:4-12)Barnabas and Paul took with them as their young assistant John Mark, a relative of Barnabas who had come back with them from Jerusalem (see 12:12,25; Colossians 4:10). (John Mark was probably the young man mentioned in Mark 14:51-52. Later he wrote the book known as Mark’s Gospel.) The three sailed for Cyprus, the home of Barnabas, and immediately began preaching in the synagogues (4-5). They headed west for the provincial capital of Paphos, preaching the gospel... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 13:7

deputy of the country . Greek. anthupatos. Here, verses: Acts 13:8 , Acts 13:12 , Acts 13:38 . This is the Greek word for proconsul. Cyprus had been an imperial province, governed by a propraetor, but according to Strabo Augustus transferred it to the Senate, and the governor would be now a proconsul. The title "proconsul" has been found on a coin of Cyprus of A.D. 62, and a slab has been discovered at Soli in Cyprus, with the name Paulus, proconsul . One of the proofs of Luke's accuracy. ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:4-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:4-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 13:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 13:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 13:6-8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 13:4-12

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 13:7

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