Acts 13:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

but the sorcerer Elymas (for that is how his name is translated) opposed them, doing his best to turn the governor away from the faith.

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} Elymas^{G1681} the sorcerer^{G3097}(for^{G1063} so^{G3779} is his^{G846} name^{G3686} by interpretation^{G3177}) withstood^{G436} them^{G846}, seeking^{G2212} to turn away^{G1294} the deputy^{G446} from^{G575} the faith^{G4102}.

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Commentary for Acts 13:8

Acts 13:8 is a verse set within the narrative of the early Christian church's missionary efforts, as recounted in the Book of Acts. This book is traditionally attributed to Luke the Evangelist and details the expansion of Christianity in the first century. The verse is part of the account of Paul's first missionary journey, which began after he and Barnabas were sent out by the church at Antioch, guided by the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 13:8, we are introduced to Elymas the sorcerer, also known as Bar-Jesus, who is described as opposing Paul and Barnabas. The setting is the island of Cyprus, where the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, has summoned Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to hear the word of God. Elymas, who is described as a Jewish false prophet or magician, attempts to sway the proconsul away from accepting the Christian faith. The verse reflects the theme of spiritual conflict that is present throughout the New Testament, where the advance of the Gospel is met with resistance from various sources, including those who practice occult arts or magic, which were not uncommon in the Greco-Roman world.

The historical context of this verse includes the cultural milieu of the Roman Empire, where provincial governors like Sergius Paulus held significant authority, and where Jewish and pagan religious practices were part of the diverse religious landscape. Elymas' opposition to the Christian message illustrates the competition among religious ideas and the challenge faced by early Christian missionaries in spreading their faith.

In summary, Acts 13:8 captures a moment of conflict and decision in the early church's evangelistic endeavors. It highlights the resistance faced by the apostles from those with vested interests in other religious systems, and it sets the stage for a demonstration of God's power through Paul, who, in the following verses, rebukes Elymas and temporarily blinds him, leading to the conversion of Sergius Paulus. This event underscores the theme of the triumph of the Gospel over spiritual darkness and the relentless progress of Christianity despite opposition.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G1681
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἐλύμας
   Transliteration: Elýmas
   Pronunciation: el-oo'-mas
   Description: of foreign origin; Elymas, a wizard:--Elymas.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3097
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μάγος
   Transliteration: mágos
   Pronunciation: mag'-os
   Description: of foreign origin (רַב־מָג); a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication, a magician:--sorcerer, wise man.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3779
   There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὕτω
   Transliteration: hoútō
   Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
   Description: adverb from οὗτος; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
   
6. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3686
   There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὄνομα
   Transliteration: ónoma
   Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
   Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
   
8. Strong's Number: G3177
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μεθερμηνεύω
   Transliteration: methermēneúō
   Pronunciation: meth-er-mane-yoo'-o
   Description: from μετά and ἑρμηνεύω; to explain over, i.e. translate:--(by) interpret(-ation).
   
9. Strong's Number: G436
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνθίστημι
   Transliteration: anthístēmi
   Pronunciation: anth-is'-tay-mee
   Description: from ἀντί and ἵστημι; to stand against, i.e. oppose:--resist, withstand.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2212
    There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ζητέω
    Transliteration: zētéō
    Pronunciation: dzay-teh'-o
    Description: of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Compare πυνθάνομαι.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1294
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διαστρέφω
    Transliteration: diastréphō
    Pronunciation: dee-as-tref'-o
    Description: from διά and στρέφω; to distort, i.e. (figuratively) misinterpret, or (morally) corrupt:--perverse(-rt), turn away.
    
12. Strong's Number: G446
    There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀνθύπατος
    Transliteration: anthýpatos
    Pronunciation: anth-oo'-pat-os
    Description: from ἀντί and a superlative of ὑπέρ; instead of the highest officer, i.e. (specially) a Roman proconsul:--deputy.
    
13. Strong's Number: G575
    There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπό
    Transliteration: apó
    Pronunciation: apo'
    Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4102
    There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πίστις
    Transliteration: pístis
    Pronunciation: pis'-tis
    Description: from πείθω; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.