Acts 13:9-11 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 13:4-13

In these verses we have, I. A general account of the coming of Barnabas and Saul to the famous island of Cyprus; and perhaps thitherward they steered their course because Barnabas was a native of that country (Acts 4:36), and he was willing they should have the first-fruits of his labours, pursuant to his new commission. Observe, 1. Their being sent forth by the Holy Ghost was the great thing that encouraged them in this undertaking, Acts 13:4. If the Holy Ghost send them forth, he will go... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 13:4-12

13:4-12 So when they had been sent out by the Holy Spirit they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed away to Cyprus. When they were in Salamis they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogue of the Jews; and they had John as their helper. They went through the whole island as far as Paphos, and there they found a man who was a dealer in magic, a false prophet and a Jew. His name was Bar-Jesus and he was with the pro-consul Sergius Paulus who was an intelligent man. The pro-consul... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:9

Then Saul (who also is called Paul) ,.... He was called by both these names; as he was a Jew by birth, his parents called him Saul, that was his Jewish name, and by which he went among the Jews; and as he was a citizen of a Roman city, Tarsus in Cilicia, he went among the Romans, or Gentiles, by the name of Paul, a Roman name; and it was usual with the Jews to be called after this manner, that is, to have one name among themselves, and another among the Gentiles: it is a rule with them F14... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:10

And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief ,.... Which may have regard both to his general character as a sorcerer, and a false prophet; in acting up to which he used much deceit and cunning among the people, and did much mischief to them; to which there was a promptness and readiness in him, as the word used signifies; and also to the sophistry he used, and the mischief he endeavoured to do in seeking to turn the deputy from the faith. The minds of carnal men are vain and empty, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:11

And now behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee ,.... That is, the power of God was just ready to be exerted on him in a way of punishment, by striking him with blindness: and thou shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season : so blind as not to see the sun, when it shined ever so brightly: this punishment seems to be but for a time; and some say that Elymas repented, and had his sight restored to him; and after that he returned to his sorcery, and again greatly opposed Barnabas in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:9

Saul, who also is - Paul - This is the first time the name Paul occurs, and the last time in which this apostle is called Saul, as his common or general name. Saul, שאול Shaul , was the name of the first Israelitish king, and signifies asked, sought; from שאל shaal , he asked, inquired, etc. Paul, Paulus, if derived from the Latin, signifies little, dwarfish: but if from the Hebrew, פלא pala , it signifies extraordinary, wonderful; and this appears to have been the derivation... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:10

O full of all subtilty - Δολου , Deceit, pretending to supernatural powers without possessing any, and having only cunning and deceit as their substitutes. And - mischief - Ῥᾳδιουργιας , from ῥᾳδιος , easy, and εργον , a work; one who is ready at his work; a word which excellently well defines a juggler, one who is expert at sleight of hand; though it is often employed to signify an abandoned and accomplished villain. Child of the devil - Υἱε διαβολου , Son of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:11

The hand of the Lord is upon thee - The power of God is now about to deal with thee in the way of justice. Thou shalt be blind - Every word here proves the immediate inspiration of Paul. He was full of the Holy Ghost when he began this address: by the light of that Spirit he discerned the state of Elymas, and exposed his real character; and, by the prophetic influence of that same Spirit, he predicted the calamity that was about to fall upon him, while as yet there was no sign of his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:9

Verse 9 9.And Saul, who was also called Paul. Luke showeth now how God brake the bond wherein the deputy was bound. For seeing that he was too much addicted to the magician, he could not embrace true doctrine as one that was free and at liberty; for the devil keepeth those minds (which he hath entangled) in his slavery after a wonderful and incredible manner, that they cannot see even the most plain truth; but so soon as he was once vanquished, Paul could easily enter in unto the deputy. And... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:10

Verse 10 10.O thou full of deceit. It was not without a cause that Paul was thus hot and angry; for he had no hope to do any good if he should deal after some moderate and mild sort. We must always begin with doctrine, and those are also to be admonished, exhorted, and pricked forward, who do not as yet appear to be altogether obstinate. Neither doth Paul so vehemently inveigh against the sorcerer at the first dash; but when he seeth him maliciously and manifestly fight against the doctrine of... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 13:4-13

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 13:4-12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 13:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:10

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