Acts 13 11

Acts 13:11 kjv

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Acts 13:11 nkjv

And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

Acts 13:11 niv

Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

Acts 13:11 esv

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time." Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.

Acts 13:11 nlt

Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time." Instantly mist and darkness came over the man's eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 11 Meaning

Acts 13:11 describes the immediate and direct pronouncement of Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, decreeing a temporary physical blindness upon Elymas, also known as Bar-Jesus. This divine judgment was a direct consequence of Elymas's persistent efforts to obstruct the gospel message and dissuade the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, from believing in Christ. It served as an undeniable manifestation of God's power over spiritual darkness and confirmed the apostolic authority of Paul.

Acts 13 11 Context

Acts chapter 13 marks a significant turning point in the biblical narrative, inaugurating Paul's first missionary journey. Sent by the Holy Spirit from Antioch, Paul and Barnabas embark to Cyprus. Their preaching initially focuses on the Jewish synagogues. In Paphos, they encounter Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, described as an intelligent man eager to hear the word of God. However, a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, or Elymas, actively opposed them, attempting to prevent Sergius Paulus from embracing the faith. This verse describes Paul, "filled with the Holy Spirit" (v.9), directly confronting Elymas, denouncing him as an "enemy of all righteousness" and a "son of the devil" (v.10), before pronouncing the specific, immediate divine judgment. The blindness served as an undeniable, visible sign of God's power and righteous indignation against those who maliciously obstruct the spread of the gospel and pervert its message, ultimately leading to the proconsul's belief (v.12).

Acts 13 11 Word analysis

• And now (Greek: Καὶ νῦν, Kai nyn): This phrase signals an immediate transition from Paul's accusation to the declaration of a direct, impending divine action. It signifies that the time for mere words is over, and a definitive demonstration of power is at hand.
• behold (Greek: Ἰδού, Idou): An imperative interjection designed to capture immediate attention and emphasize the gravity and suddenness of what is about to be revealed or occur. In biblical usage, it often introduces a divine pronouncement or a significant, often miraculous, event.
• the hand of the Lord (Greek: Χεὶρ Κυρίου, Cheir Kyriou): This is a common and powerful biblical idiom representing God's active involvement, power, authority, and often His direct intervention. In this context, it clearly denotes divine power being applied for judgment, emphasizing that Paul's words are not personal anathema but a divinely commissioned verdict.
• is upon you (Greek: ἐπί σε, epi se): Signifies direct, immediate, and personal application of the Lord's hand. The judgment is not general or delayed, but precise, targeting Elymas directly for his actions.
• and you will be blind (Greek: καὶ ἔσῃ τυφλός, kai esē typhlos): This declares the specific physical consequence. Typhlos refers to physical blindness, the inability to see. This direct prophecy, fulfilled instantly, authenticates Paul as a true messenger of God, paralleling the spiritual blindness Elymas exhibited in opposing the light of the gospel.
• unable to see the sun (Greek: μὴ βλέπων τὸν ἥλιον, mē blepōn ton hēlion): This descriptive phrase emphasizes the totality and completeness of the physical blindness. The sun is the primary source of natural light, and the inability to perceive it underscores absolute darkness. This vivid detail contrasts starkly with Elymas's spiritual role as one who actively suppresses spiritual light.
• for a time (Greek: ἄχρι καιροῦ, achri kairou): This crucial phrase indicates the temporary nature of the judgment. The blindness is not eternal but limited to a certain duration. This temporary aspect suggests both a measure of divine mercy, offering a potential window for repentance, and highlights God's sovereignty over the specific duration and purpose of the judgment (e.g., to confirm the faith of Sergius Paulus).

• "the hand of the Lord is upon you": This grouping of words is a formidable declaration of divine executive power. It clearly communicates that God Himself is directly acting through Paul. It shows a powerful confirmation of Paul's authority as an apostle.
• "you will be blind, unable to see the sun": This phrase precisely defines the nature of the immediate judgment. It vividly contrasts the sorcerer's deliberate opposition to spiritual light with his sudden, utter deprivation of physical light, providing a direct consequence that both rebukes and is immediately verifiable.

Acts 13 11 Bonus section

• This specific judgment echoes earlier instances of God demonstrating His power through His messengers over those who oppose Him, particularly through the confrontation of Moses with Pharaoh's magicians (Exod 7:11-12, 8:18-19), where human sorcery proved futile against divine might.
• The pronouncement of blindness here is not solely punitive but also serves an evangelical purpose: to open the eyes of the proconsul Sergius Paulus to the truth by vividly demonstrating God's power. Elymas's blindness enables Sergius Paulus to "see" clearly, understanding the true nature of the gospel and those who oppose it.
• The temporary nature of Elymas's blindness suggests that the primary aim was not his permanent damnation, but rather a sharp, immediate object lesson for Sergius Paulus, and potentially for Elymas himself, to lead to repentance, although his subsequent actions are not recorded.

Acts 13 11 Commentary

Acts 13:11 showcases a decisive moment where divine authority directly confronts demonic influence. Paul, operating under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, met Elymas's determined obstruction of the gospel with immediate, visible judgment. The temporary blindness served multiple purposes: it authenticated Paul's divine commission to Sergius Paulus, warned against actively hindering God's truth, and visibly manifested the spiritual darkness Elymas already possessed. The precision and swiftness of the judgment underline the seriousness with which God regards those who maliciously pervert His ways, while its temporary nature demonstrates His sovereign control over both judgment and mercy, allowing for future repentance. This dramatic act underscored the ultimate victory of God's word over all forms of spiritual opposition.