Ministry in Cyprus and Elymas's Blinding
Acts 13:4-12
Acts.13.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- εκπεμφθεντες: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- υπο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- κατηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- Σελευκειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εκειθεν: ADV
- τε: CONJ
- απεπλευσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- Κυπρον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 13:2-3 (structural): Immediate context: the church at Antioch, under the Holy Spirit's direction, sets apart Barnabas and Saul and sends them out—13:4 narrates their subsequent departure to Seleucia and Cyprus.
- Acts 8:29 (verbal): The Holy Spirit speaks to Philip, 'Go up and join this chariot'—a direct example of the Spirit directing missionary movement, paralleling 'sent out by the Holy Spirit' in Acts 13:4.
- Acts 16:6-10 (thematic): The Spirit/vision guides Paul's travel plans (forbidding Asia, directing them to Macedonia), echoing the theme of Spirit-led missionary itineraries found in Acts 13:4.
- Luke 9:1-6 (thematic): Jesus' commissioning of the Twelve—sending them out to travel, preach, and rely on divine guidance—parallels the motif of apostles being sent on mission present in Acts 13:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- So, sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus.
- So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
Acts.13.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γενομενοι: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- Σαλαμινι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- κατηγγελλον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- συναγωγαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων·ειχον: NOUN,gen,pl,m+VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υπηρετην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 13:14 (structural): Same missionary journey: Paul and Barnabas again enter a synagogue (Antioch in Pisidia) to address Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, continuing the pattern begun in Salamis.
- Acts 17:2 (thematic): Paul's practice of preaching in the Jewish synagogues (Thessalonica) mirrors the proclamation of 'the word of God' in synagogue settings.
- Luke 4:16 (thematic): Jesus' regular ministry in the synagogue (Nazareth) provides an earlier model of public proclamation in synagogues that the apostles follow.
- Acts 12:25 (verbal): Earlier mention of 'John called Mark' as associated with Barnabas and Saul—identifies the same John/Mark who serves as attendant here.
- Acts 13:13 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within the chapter: John (Mark), first noted as attendant, is recorded shortly thereafter as leaving the missionary party and returning to Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they reached Salamis they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues; John served as their attendant.
- When they reached Salamis they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues; and John was with them as their attendant.
Acts.13.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ολην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- νησον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αχρι: PREP
- Παφου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ανδρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- μαγον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ψευδοπροφητην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Ιουδαιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- Βαριησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 13:8 (structural): Direct continuation of the same episode — identifies Elymas (Bar-Jesus) as the opponent of Paul and leads into Paul’s rebuke and judgment on the false prophet/sorcerer.
- Acts 8:9-11 (thematic): Simon the Magus is described as a sorcerer and a figure who exercised deceptive influence over people, providing an earlier narrative parallel in Acts of a Jewish/convert sorcerer opposing the gospel.
- Matthew 7:15 (thematic): Jesus’ warning to 'beware of false prophets' parallels the characterization of Bar-Jesus as a false prophet — both concern deceptive religious figures who lead people astray.
- 2 Peter 2:1 (thematic): Peter’s denunciation of false teachers who bring destructive heresies echoes the New Testament concern with false prophets/teachers exemplified by Elymas’s opposition to Paul and the gospel.
Alternative generated candidates
- They traveled across the island as far as Paphos, and there they encountered a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar‑Jesus.
- They traveled across the island as far as Paphos, where they met a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew named Bar‑Jesus.
Acts.13.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- συν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ανθυπατω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Σεργιω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Παυλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ανδρι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- συνετω: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- προσκαλεσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- Βαρναβαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Σαυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επεζητησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ακουσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 10:22-33 (thematic): Cornelius, a Gentile officer, summons Peter and seeks to hear God’s message — parallels a non-Jewish official inviting apostles to hear the word.
- Acts 24:24-25 (thematic): Governor Felix listens to Paul speak about faith and righteousness; another instance of a Roman official hearing apostolic preaching and responding with interest.
- Acts 26:28 (thematic): King Agrippa hears Paul's defense and responds (’Almost thou persuadest me’), paralleling the narrative motif of rulers hearing the gospel from Paul.
- Luke 8:21 (verbal): Uses the Lukan phrase ‘those who hear the word of God’ — a verbal/thematic parallel to Acts’ wording that Sergius Paulus ‘sought to hear the word of God.’
Alternative generated candidates
- He was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. The proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul and wished to hear the word of God.
- He was the companion of the proconsul of the country, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. The proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God.
Acts.13.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ανθιστατο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- Ελυμας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μαγος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουτως: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- μεθερμηνευεται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ζητων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- διαστρεψαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανθυπατον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 8:9-13 (thematic): Simon the magician in Samaria mirrors Elymas as a practitioner of magic who figures in an encounter with the spread of the gospel and apostolic confrontation.
- Acts 19:13-20 (thematic): The failed attempts of Jewish exorcists (the sons of Sceva) to wield Jesus' name and the resulting demonstration of divine power parallel the theme of magico-religious practitioners being exposed and overpowered by apostolic authority.
- Acts 13:9-11 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Paul (then called Saul) confronts Elymas and pronounces temporary blindness—direct consequence of Elymas' attempt to turn away the proconsul from the faith.
- Romans 16:18 (thematic): Paul's warning about people who 'by smooth talk and flattery' deceive and turn aside the minds of the simple parallels Elymas' attempt to seduce the proconsul away from the faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Elymas the magician (for that is how his name is translated) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
- But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is how his name is translated) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Acts.13.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Σαυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πλησθεις: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,m,sg
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- ατενισας: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,m,sg
- εις: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:17 (verbal): Ananias tells Saul he will be 'filled with the Holy Spirit'—same verbal phrase and the gift of the Spirit in connection with Saul/Paul's conversion and commissioning.
- Acts 4:8 (verbal): Peter is described as 'filled with the Holy Spirit' immediately before speaking boldly—parallel construction linking the Spirit's filling to authoritative action/speech.
- Luke 4:1 (thematic): Jesus is 'full of the Holy Spirit' at the outset of his ministry—thematic parallel of Spirit-empowerment for mission and confrontation.
- Acts 11:24 (thematic): Barnabas is described as 'a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith'—similar characterization showing the Spirit's presence as mark of effective ministry and discernment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him
- Then Saul—who is also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on him,
Acts.13.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν·Ω: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- πληρης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- παντος: ADJ,gen,sg,masc
- δολου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- ραδιουργιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υιε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- διαβολου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εχθρε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- παυση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- διαστρεφων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- οδους: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ευθειας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- John 8:44 (verbal): Jesus calls opponents 'children of the devil' and charges them with falsehood and murder; parallels the phrase 'son of the devil' and the characterization as utterly deceitful.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (thematic): Paul warns about deceitful workers and false apostles who are servants of Satan and disguise themselves as agents of righteousness—echoing the charge of being full of deceit and an enemy of righteousness.
- Titus 1:11 (thematic): Speaks of persons who 'subvert whole households' and teach for dishonest gain; thematically similar to accusing someone of perverting the straight ways of the Lord.
- Isaiah 59:14-15 (allusion): Describes justice turned back and righteousness kept at a distance—resonates with the rebuke for perverting the Lord's straight ways and opposing righteousness.
Alternative generated candidates
- and said, “O full of all deceit and villainy, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the straight ways of the Lord?
- and said, "You who are full of all deceit and every kind of mischief, child of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord?
Acts.13.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- νυν: ADV
- ιδου: PART
- χειρ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- εση: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,sg
- τυφλος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- μη: PART
- βλεπων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ηλιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αχρι: PREP
- καιρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παραχρημα: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- επεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- επ᾽αυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,3,m
- αχλυς: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- σκοτος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- περιαγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εζητει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- χειραγωγους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:8-9 (verbal): Saul (Paul) is temporarily struck blind on the Damascus road and led by the hand; closely parallels the motif of sudden, temporary physical blindness and being led.
- 2 Kings 6:18-20 (structural): The Syrian army is struck with blindness and then led by Elisha into Samaria where their eyes are opened—same sequence of divinely inflicted blindness and guided leading.
- Judges 16:21-22 (thematic): Samson's eyes are put out as a consequence of defeat—an Old Testament example of physical blinding as divine judgment or its result.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (allusion): God commands that people be made spiritually blind and unable to see or understand—a prophetic precedent for divinely imposed blindness as judgment.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 (thematic): Paul speaks of blinding of minds (the 'god of this age')—connects to the theme of divinely permitted or inflicted blindness affecting perception.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you: you shall be blind and will not see the sun for a time.”
- And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, unable to see the sun for a time." Immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and he groped about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Acts.13.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- ιδων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ανθυπατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- γεγονος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- επιστευσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εκπλησσομενος: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διδαχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 16:25-34 (thematic): A miraculous event (earthquake) precipitates astonishment and leads the Philippian jailer to believe after Paul’s teaching — parallel pattern of sign + amazement + faith following apostolic instruction.
- Acts 10:34-48 (thematic): Cornelius, a Gentile official, and his household come to faith while Peter proclaims the Lord — parallels a Roman proconsul (Sergius Paulus) believing as a result of apostolic teaching to a Gentile authority.
- Acts 8:35-39 (structural): The Ethiopian court official believes after Philip explains Scripture about Jesus — similar narrative structure: an official instructed about the Lord comes to faith through evangelistic teaching.
- Romans 10:17 (verbal): 'Faith comes from hearing' echoes the causal link in Acts 13:12 between the teaching ('τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ'/'τῇ διδαχῇ') about the Lord and the official’s belief.
- John 20:30-31 (thematic): The Gospel links signs/miracles with the purpose of bringing people to belief in Jesus as Lord — mirrors the role of the miracle and subsequent teaching in leading the proconsul to faith in Acts 13:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- Immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
- When the proconsul saw what had occurred, he believed—astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
So, sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus.
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues; John, who was also called Mark, accompanied them as their helper.
They traveled across the island until they came to Paphos. There they encountered a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar‑Jesus — in Hebrew he is called Elymas.
This man was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence; the proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul and wished to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician opposed them and sought to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him
and said, "O full of all deceit and every villainy, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the straight ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind and not see the sun for a time." Immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
When the proconsul saw what had occurred, he believed, being astonished at the teaching about the Lord.