Acts 13:10,Acts 13:11

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 13:10

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

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

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

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 13:10

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

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 13:10

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:4-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:4-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:4-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 13:10

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