Acts 13:9-11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 13:11

Verse 11 11.Behold the hand. The hand is put here to punish; (789) a whereby he doth signify that God is the author of this punishment, and that he is only the minister. Furthermore, I think that this hability is that which Paul calleth δυναμις, or power, (1 Corinthians 12:28.) For as they did excel in power of the Spirit to help the faithful with miracles, so had they the whip in their hand to tame the rebellious and obstinate withal. Such vengeance of God did Peter show upon Ananias and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-15

The invasion of heathendom. It has been well remarked that Antioch was the true center of direct missions to the heathen world. An Ethiopian eunuch, and a Roman centurion, had indeed been gathered into the fold of Christ. But they were both closely connected with the land of Judah, and their conversion had not led to any further extension of the gospel of Christ. At Antioch the seed of Christian truth first fell in abundance upon heathen soil; from Antioch first went forth the preachers of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:4-12

The mission in Cyprus. I. THE FALSE PROPHET . Bar-jesus may stand as the type of one class of foes with whom Christianity has to contend. He is described as a "mage" and a "false prophet." It appears that he gave himself the title of Elymas (to which word the modern Turkish ulema corresponds)—"wise man" par excellence. The essence of the magic calling is the pretension to override the laws of nature and providence in obedience to the wishes and fantasies and caprices of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 13:9

But for then, A.V.; is also for also is, A.V.; fastened for set, A.V. (above, Acts ill 4, note). Who is also called Paul. The explanation of Jerome, Augustine, Bede, and many modern commentators, as Meyer, Olshausen, etc., and not rejected by Renan, is that Saul took the name of Paul on the occasion of this remarkable and important conversion of Sergius Paulus. Saul's future intercourse with Gentiles made it desirable that, after the common custom of the Jews of his day—as seen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:10

All guile and all villainy for all subtlety and all mischief, A.V.; son for child, A.V. The word ῥᾳδιουργία , reckless conduct, villainy, wickedness, is only found here in the New Testament. The kindred form ( ῥᾳδιούργημα ) occurs in Acts 18:14 . Thou son of the devil (comp. John 8:38 , John 8:44 ; 1 John 3:10 ). Elymas showed himself a child of the devil in his endeavors to resist the truth of the gospel, and substitute his own falsehoods and imposture. Compare... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:11

Is upon thee ; or rather, against thee ( Matthew 10:21 ; Matthew 26:55 ; Luke 11:17 ; and Luke 11:50 of this chapter). For a season . It has been well observed that this limitation in time is an indication that there was place for repentance. It was a remedial chastisement. A mist ( ἀχλύς ); only here in the New Testament; but it is a medical term, very common in Hippocrates, to express a darkening and dimming of the eyes by cataract or other disease. As regards the reason... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:11-12

Obstruction of the truth summarily visited: the blighter blighted. We can imagine something of the earnestness of Barnabas and Saul as they set out on their new mission, feeling that they had "the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ" in their charge. Others felt this too, or, if they did not feel it, feared it. And one, in his iniquitous attempt to neutralize the force of it, courts his own discomfiture and strengthens the cause he had designed to undermine. Notice— I. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 13:9

}Then Saul, (who is also called Paul) - This is the last time that this apostle is called “Saul.” Henceforward, he is designated by the title by which he is usually known, as “Paul.” When, or why, this change occurred in the name, has been a subject on which commentators are not agreed. From the fact that the change in the name is here first intimated, it would seem probable that it was first used in relation to him at this time. By whom the name was given him whether he assumed it himself, or... read more

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