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

Paul was struck blind by God's power, experiencing a temporary divine judgment due to his aggressive persecution of Christians. This blindness served as a physical manifestation of his spiritual blindness to the truth of Jesus Christ, preparing him for his miraculous healing and conversion.

Acts 13 11 Context

This verse occurs during Paul's first missionary journey with Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch. Paul, addressing the Jewish congregation in the synagogue, recounts God's faithfulness to Israel and the sending of Jesus as Savior. When the Gentiles request to hear the same message the following Sabbath, some Jewish leaders, envious of the large crowd, opposed and blasphemed Paul's preaching. In response, Paul and Barnabas boldly declared their mission was now primarily to the Gentiles. This verse describes Paul's forceful, divine utterance directly to Elymas, a sorcerer who was hindering their ministry.

Acts 13 11 Word Analysis

• δέ (de): But, and. A conjunction connecting clauses, often indicating a contrast or transition. Here it links the previous narrative about opposition with Paul's direct confrontation.

• Σαυλὸς (Saulos): Saul. The Hebrew name of the apostle Paul. It signifies his continued identity before his ultimate recognition as Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.

• καὶ (kai): And. A common conjunction.

• Παῦλος (Paulos): Paul. His adopted Roman name, reflecting his broadened mission.

• ἐνέπλησθη (eneplēsthē): was filled. Perfect passive indicative of πλανάω (planaō), meaning to lead astray, deceive, or cause to wander. However, in some classical and biblical contexts, the verb can be used actively to mean to be infatuated, misguided, or overcome by a negative influence. Here, it’s in a passive voice.

• πνεύματος (pneumatos): Spirit. Genitive singular of πνεῦμα (pneuma), referring to spirit, often the Holy Spirit, but in this context, it signifies a spiritual disposition or influence. The Holy Spirit filled Paul with discernment and prophetic insight.

• ἁγίου (hagiou): holy. Genitive singular of ἅγιος (hagios), meaning holy, set apart.

• ἀτενίσας (atenisas): gazing, fixing his eyes upon. Aorist active participle of ἀτενίζω (atenizō), meaning to fix one's gaze, to look intently. This conveys Paul's focused and unwavering gaze upon Elymas.

• αὐτῷ (autō): him. Dative singular pronoun referring to Elymas.

• εἶπεν (eipen): said. Aorist active indicative of λέγω (legō), meaning to say, speak.

• Ὦ (Ō): O. An interjection used to address someone directly.

• πλήρης (plērēs): full of. Nominative singular adjective agreeing with "thou" (implied).

• παντὸς (pantos): every kind of. Genitive singular adjective agreeing with δόλου (dolou).

• παντὸς (pantos): every, all. Genitive singular adjective modifying δόλου (dolou).

• δόλου (dolou): deceit, guile, cunning. Genitive singular of δόλος (dolos). Refers to the crafty deception and malice Elymas was exhibiting.

• παντὸς (pantos): all, every. Genitive singular adjective modifying πονηρίας (ponērias).

• πονηρίας (ponērias): wickedness, evil. Genitive singular of πονηρία (ponēria). Refers to the evil nature of his actions and intent.

• υἱέ (huie): son. Vocative singular of υἱός (huios), son. Used here to emphasize belonging to a particular nature or disposition.

• τοῦ (tou): of the. Genitive singular definite article.

• διαβόλου (diabolou): devil, slanderer. Genitive singular of διάβολος (diabolos), referring to Satan or one who accuses. Elymas is characterized by his satanic opposition.

• ἔχθρα (echthra): enmity, enemy. Nominative singular noun, functioning as a predicate complement to "thou art".

• εἰς (eis): in, unto. Preposition indicating direction or state.

• τὴν (tēn): the. Accusative singular feminine definite article.

• δικαιοσύνην (dikaiosunēn): righteousness. Accusative singular of δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosunē), meaning justice, righteousness, or right ways. Elymas's actions are contrary to the righteous ways of God.

• ἐχθρὸς (echthros): enemy. Nominative singular adjective.

• πάντα (panta): all. Accusative plural neuter adjective.

• τὰ (ta): the. Accusative plural neuter definite article.

• τὰς (tas): the. Accusative plural feminine definite article.

• ὁδοὺς (hondous): ways, paths. Accusative plural of ὁδός (hodos), way, road, path.

• τοῦ (tou): of the. Genitive singular masculine definite article.

• κυρίου (kuriou): Lord. Genitive singular of κύριος (kurios), Lord, Master.

• διαστρέφων (diastrephōn): distorting, perverting. Present active participle of διαστρέφω (diastrephō), meaning to twist, pervert, corrupt. This highlights his active role in misrepresenting God's truth.

• σκότος (skotos): darkness. Accusative singular neuter noun.

• σύ (su): thou. Nominative singular personal pronoun.

• οὐ (ou): not. Adverb of negation.

• παύσῃ (pausē): cease, stop. 2nd person singular aorist subjunctive active of παύω (pauō), to stop, cause to cease. This indicates a command or fervent wish for cessation.

• Paul filled with the Holy Spirit and with discerning insight: Paul was not acting on his own power but was empowered by the Holy Spirit to understand Elymas's true nature and spiritual opposition. The Holy Spirit guided Paul’s words and actions.

• Paul’s direct gaze and powerful words: The act of "gazing" or fixing his eyes indicates intense focus and a penetrating spiritual perception. His declaration is a strong pronouncement against the sorcerer’s activities.

• Elymas as a son of the devil and a perverter of the Lord's ways: This identifies Elymas not merely as a mistaken person but as actively aligned with evil forces and deliberately opposing God's righteous path. He is described as embodying the character and methods of the devil.

• The perversion of the Lord's straight ways: Elymas was actively working to corrupt or twist the true ways of the Lord, hindering people from finding salvation through Christ.

Acts 13 11 Bonus Section

This passage showcases a critical moment in the early church's expansion, particularly concerning the Gentile mission. It highlights the reality of spiritual warfare where the gospel message encounters fierce opposition. Paul's transformation is further evident in his bold confrontation of evil, demonstrating a profound shift from persecutor to defender of the faith. The interaction with Elymas is a classic example of discerning the spiritual, a gift of the Holy Spirit, and acting with divine authority against antagonistic forces. The judgment of blindness served as a powerful testimony, paving the way for the conversion of a significant Roman official.

Acts 13 11 Commentary

Paul, divinely empowered by the Holy Spirit, confronts Elymas, the sorcerer, with a powerful indictment. He perceives Elymas's deep-seated malice and his deliberate attempts to pervert the gospel. Paul calls him a "son of the devil" and one who "perverts the straight ways of the Lord," a severe condemnation highlighting Elymas's active opposition to God's truth. This intense spiritual battle culminates in Paul's pronouncement of temporary blindness upon Elymas, mirroring the spiritual blindness Elymas was trying to impose on others, and demonstrating God's direct intervention against those who resist His truth and attempt to thwart His purposes through deception and wickedness. This event directly leads to Elymas’s blindness and the subsequent conversion of Sergius Paulus, the proconsul.