Acts 13:11

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.

And {G2532} now {G3568}, behold {G2400}, the hand {G5495} of the Lord {G2962} is upon {G1909} thee {G4571}, and {G2532} thou shalt be {G2071} blind {G5185}, not {G3361} seeing {G991} the sun {G2246} for {G891} a season {G2540}. And {G1161} immediately {G3916} there fell {G1968} on {G1909} him {G846} a mist {G887} and {G2532} a darkness {G4655}; and {G2532} he went about {G4013} seeking {G2212} some to lead him by the hand {G5497}.

So now, look! The hand of the Lord is upon you; and for a while you will be blind, unable to see the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over Elymas; and he groped about, trying to find someone to lead him by the hand.

Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable 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.

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 records a significant event during Paul’s first missionary journey, where divine judgment is swiftly meted out against an opponent of the Gospel. This verse highlights the immediate consequence of defying God's work, serving as a powerful demonstration of apostolic authority and divine power.

Context

This verse is set in Paphos, on the island of Cyprus, where Paul (then still called Saul at times) and Barnabas embarked on their first missionary endeavors. They encountered 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, also known as Elymas, actively tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith, distorting the truth and hindering the Gospel message. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted Elymas directly, as detailed in Acts 13:9-10, before pronouncing this judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Power: Paul's declaration, "the hand of the Lord is upon thee," signifies that the judgment is not merely Paul's personal anger but a direct act of God through His apostle. This demonstrates the immense power God grants to those who carry His message, confirming their divine commission.
  • Consequences of Opposing God's Work: Elymas's immediate blindness serves as a stark warning against actively resisting the spread of the Gospel. His spiritual darkness, characterized by his attempts to pervert the right ways of the Lord, was made manifest in his physical inability to see.
  • Confirmation of the Message: The miraculous and immediate blindness of Elymas served as a powerful sign to Sergius Paulus, validating the authenticity of Paul's message and the power of the God he proclaimed. This dramatic display led to the proconsul's belief, as noted in Acts 13:12.
  • Temporary Judgment: The phrase "for a season" indicates that the blindness was not necessarily permanent. This temporary nature suggests a punitive measure intended to humble Elymas and perhaps offer a chance for repentance, rather than a final condemnation. It also echoes Paul's own experience of temporary blindness on the road to Damascus.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the hand of the Lord" (Greek: cheir Kyriou) is a common biblical idiom representing God's active power, intervention, or judgment. It emphasizes that this was not a random occurrence but a direct, purposeful act orchestrated by God Himself. The term "for a season" (Greek: achri kairou) precisely indicates a limited duration, underscoring the temporary nature of Elymas's affliction.

Practical Application

Acts 13:11 reminds us of the seriousness of hindering God's work and the consequences of spiritual opposition. While God's judgment today may not always be as immediate or outwardly dramatic, the principle remains: those who actively oppose the truth and seek to lead others astray face divine disapproval. Conversely, for believers, this verse is an encouragement that God powerfully defends His Gospel and those who proclaim it. It also highlights the importance of spiritual discernment in recognizing and confronting those who would distort the truth, trusting that God's power will ultimately prevail over darkness and deception.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 32:4

    For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

  • Exodus 9:3

    Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which [is] in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: [there shall be] a very grievous murrain.

  • Hebrews 10:31

    [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

  • 1 Samuel 5:11

    So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

  • John 9:39

    ¶ And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

  • 2 Peter 2:17

    These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

  • Job 19:21

    Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

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