Acts 13 8

Acts 13:8 kjv

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Acts 13:8 nkjv

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

Acts 13:8 niv

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.

Acts 13:8 esv

But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

Acts 13:8 nlt

But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 8 Meaning

Acts 13:8 describes the direct opposition encountered by the apostles Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer also known as Bar-Jesus, actively stood against them. His explicit purpose was to prevent the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, from accepting the Christian faith, thus maintaining his own influence and the prevailing superstitious practices. This verse highlights the conflict between the divine message and forces of deception that seek to blind people to the truth.

Acts 13 8 Context

Acts 13 marks a significant turning point in the book of Acts, as it formally begins Paul's (formerly Saul's) first missionary journey with Barnabas, commissioned by the Holy Spirit and the church in Antioch. The duo, accompanied by John Mark, traveled to Cyprus, preaching the Gospel in synagogues. Upon reaching Paphos, the capital of Cyprus, they were invited by the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding, to hear the word of God. This interest from a high-ranking Roman official presented a critical opportunity for the Gospel. Verse 8 describes the immediate and intense spiritual opposition that arose at this pivotal moment from Elymas (Bar-Jesus), a local Jewish sorcerer who also served as a consultant or spiritual advisor to Sergius Paulus, aiming to protect his influence and prevent the proconsul's conversion.

Acts 13 8 Word analysis

• But: (δὲ - de) A conjunction marking a transition or contrast. It immediately highlights a change from Sergius Paulus's positive interest (v.7) to direct antagonism.
• Elymas: (Ἑλύμας - Helymas) Not his personal name, but a title, likely an Aramaic derivation of "wise one" or "sorcerer." It signifies his profession and perceived power. His personal name was Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus/Joshua), ironic given his opposition to the true Christ.
• the sorcerer: (ὁ μάγος - ho magos) Refers to a magician, astrologer, or diviner. In biblical context, particularly the New Testament, magos carries a negative connotation, implying engagement in occult practices and often deception, distinct from the Magi who sought Christ. This labels him clearly as one dealing with false, demonic power.
• (for so his name is translated): Luke's explanatory parenthesis. This confirms Elymas is a title/appellation, explicitly linking it to his professional role. It demonstrates Luke's precision and awareness of his audience, perhaps indicating non-Jewish readers or those unfamiliar with Semitic names.
• withstood: (ἀνθίστημι - anthistēmi) Means "to stand against," "resist," or "oppose." This is a strong verb indicating active and direct confrontation. It implies a deliberate and defiant posture against the apostles and their message, not just passive disagreement.
• them: Referring to Paul and Barnabas, who were presenting the word of God.
• seeking: (ζητέω - zēteō) Means "to seek," "desire," or "endeavor." This implies a deliberate and persistent intention. Elymas wasn't just incidentally hindering; he actively pursued the goal of undermining the apostles' work.
• to turn aside: (διαστρέφω - diastréphō) Lit. "to twist," "distort," "pervert." This signifies diverting someone from a right path or belief into a wrong one. It's a strong term indicating not just discouragement but active deception and spiritual corruption, turning Sergius Paulus away from truth.
• the proconsul: (τὸν ἀνθύπατον - ton anthýpaton) A historically accurate title for the governor of Cyprus, which was a senatorial province. This detail confirms Luke's careful research and historical reliability, reflecting the Roman administrative structure. Sergius Paulus was the specific individual (Acts 13:7).
• from the faith: (ἀπὸ τῆς πίστεως - apo tēs písteōs) Refers specifically to the emerging Christian faith, the message of salvation through Christ that Paul and Barnabas were proclaiming. Elymas aimed to prevent Sergius Paulus from accepting this new spiritual allegiance and truth.

Acts 13 8 Bonus section

• The irony of Elymas's other name, Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus/Joshua), standing in stark opposition to the true Son of God (Jesus Christ), emphasizes the stark contrast between his false spiritual power and the authentic power of the Holy Spirit.
• Elymas's desire to "turn aside" the proconsul illustrates the spiritual blindness propagated by the "god of this world" (2 Cor 4:4). By actively resisting the message, Elymas was acting as an agent of spiritual darkness, preventing others from seeing the light of the Gospel.
• The historical detail of Sergius Paulus being a "proconsul" confirms that Luke possessed precise knowledge of Roman administration, lending credibility to the entire narrative. Cyprus was indeed a senatorial province governed by a proconsul, as opposed to an imperial province governed by a legate.
• The confrontation in this verse foreshadows many future instances where the apostles would face intense opposition from those whose power or worldview was threatened by the transforming message of Christ. It's a recurring pattern in the spread of the Gospel.

Acts 13 8 Commentary

Acts 13:8 provides a vivid depiction of the spiritual battle inherent in the advance of the Gospel. Elymas, whose title "sorcerer" directly identifies him with powers of deception, epitomizes the demonic and human resistance to divine truth. His opposition to Paul and Barnabas was not merely intellectual disagreement but a deliberate attempt to pervert and hinder the work of God. His actions show that where the Word of God is making inroads, especially into positions of influence like that of the proconsul Sergius Paulus, spiritual adversaries will invariably rise with intensified effort. Elymas understood that if Sergius Paulus accepted "the faith," his own position as a trusted advisor, based on occultic knowledge, would be compromised. The term "turn aside" emphasizes the malicious intent to mislead and divert from the straight path of the Gospel, highlighting the devil's strategy of distorting truth to prevent salvation. This verse sets the stage for Paul's confrontation, where divine power directly challenges and triumphs over the forces of darkness and false religion.