Acts 13:8

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 13:8

Elymas . The knowing one. Compare Ulema, the corporation of Moslem who interpret the Koran. Arabic alim, wise. withstood . Greek. anthistimi. First Occurs Matthew 5:39 ; often translated "resist". turn away. Greek. diastrepho. On its other six occurences translated "pervert" or "perverse", as Acts 13:10 . from. Greek. apo. App-104 . faith . Greek. pistis. App-150 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 13:8

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.Elymas ... Bar-Jesus was the name this character had received from his family; but his practice of the black arts had earned him another, "Elymas," which is "an Arabic word meaning sorcerer."[15]Withstood them ... seeking ... The action indicated here was not a single effort but a continuing one, wherein Elymas stubbornly opposed the gospel, trying in any way... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 13:6-8

Acts 13:6-8. Paphos,— The city of Paphos was seated on the western extremity of the island of Cyprus, and famous among the Heathens for the temple and obscene worship of the Paphian Venus. There resided Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, who was a man of good understanding, and well disposed to receive the truth, and obey it; and as he had heard of the character of these two apostles, and, very probably, some imperfect rumour of the Christian religion, he sent for them, and desired that they... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 13:8

8-12. But Elymas—or "the wise." for so is his name by interpretation—the word is from the Arabic. withstood them—perceiving, probably, how eagerly the proconsul was drinking in the word, and fearing a dismissal. (Compare :-). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 13:4-12

2. The mission to Cyprus 13:4-12Luke recorded the events of Paul’s first missionary journey to document the extension of the church into new territory and to illustrate the principles and methods by which the church grew. He also did so to show God’s supernatural blessing on the witness of Barnabas and Saul.". . . the account of Paul’s ministry has two parts: his journeys (Acts 11-20) and his trials (Acts 21-28)." [Note: Bock, "A Theology . . .," p. 151.] Peter had encountered Simon, a... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 13:6-8

Barnabas and Saul travelled west across Cyprus coming eventually to Paphos, the provincial capital of the island. Paphos was 90 miles west of Salamis and lay on the western coast of Cyprus. Evidently word reached Sergius Paulus of the missionaries’ preaching. Since he was an intelligent man (Gr. aner syneton, an understanding or sagacious man, cf. Acts 13:12), he ordered them to meet with him so he could hear their message personally."In the Greek world it was the custom for philosophers,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:1-52

St. Paul as a Missionary1. Prophets] see on Acts 11:27. Simeon that was called Niger] Niger was a Roman cognomen. Lucius of Cyrene] doubtless one of those Cyrenians who first preached at Antioch (Acts 11:20). Manaen] the OT. form is ’Menahem.’ Which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch] Two meanings are possible. Either, (1) Menabem’s mother had been Herod’s wet-nurse; or (2) Menahem had been brought up with Herod as his fosterbrother. The tetrarch (Herod Antipas) was the son of Herod... read more

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