13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

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

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

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.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Read full chapter

13 2 The holy Ghost commandeth that Paul and Barnabas be separated unto him. 6 At Paphos, 8 Elymas the sorcerer 11 is stricken blind: 14 From whence being come to Antioch, 17 They preach the Gospel, 45 the Jews vehemently withstanding them.

There [a]were also in the Church that was at Antioch, certain Prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen (which had been brought up with [b]Herod the Tetrarch) and Saul.

Now as they [c]ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have [d]called them.

[e]Then fasted they and prayed, and laid their hands on them, and let them go.

[f]And they after they were sent forth of the holy Ghost, came down unto [g]Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the Synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

So when they had gone throughout the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, being a Jew, named Bar-Jesus,

Which was with the Deputy Sergius Paulus, a prudent man. He called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

[h]But Elymas the sorcerer, (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, and sought to turn away the Deputy from the faith.

Then Saul (which also is called Paul) being full of the holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

10 [i]And said, O full of all subtlety and all [j]mischief, the child of the devil, and enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the straight ways of the Lord?

11 Now therefore behold, the [k]hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, and not see 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.

12 Then the Deputy when he saw what was done, believed, and was astonied at the doctrine of the Lord.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:1 Paul with Barnabas is again the second time appointed Apostle of the Gentiles, not of man, neither by man, but by an extraordinary commandment of the holy Ghost.
  2. Acts 13:1 The same was Antipas, which put John Baptist to death.
  3. Acts 13:2 While they were busy doing their office, that is, as Chrysostom expoundeth it, while they were preaching.
  4. Acts 13:2 The Lord is said to call (whereof this word (calling) cometh, which is usual in the Church) when he causeth that to be, which was not, whether you refer it to the matter itself or to any quality or thing about the matter: and it groweth of this, because when things begin to be, then they have some name: as God’s mighty power is also declared thereby, who spake the word, and things were made.
  5. Acts 13:3 Fast, and solemn prayers were used before the laying on of hands.
  6. Acts 13:4 Paul and his companions do at the first bring Cyprus to the subjection and obedience of Christ.
  7. Acts 13:4 Seleucia was a city of Cilicia, so called of Seleucus one of Alexander’s successors.
  8. Acts 13:8 The devil maketh the conquest of Christ more glorious, in that that he setteth himself against him.
  9. Acts 13:10 The sorcerer which was stricken of Paul with a corporal punishment (although extraordinarily) showeth an example to lawful magistrates, how they ought to punish them which wickedly and obstinately hinder the course of the Gospel.
  10. Acts 13:10 He noteth out such a fault, as whoso hath it, runneth headlong and with great desire to all kinds of wickedness with the least motion in the world.
  11. Acts 13:11 His power which he showeth in striking and beating down his enemies.

13 Now in the church at Antioch(A) there were prophets(B) and teachers:(C) Barnabas,(D) Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,(E) Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod(F) the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,(G) “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work(H) to which I have called them.”(I) So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them(J) and sent them off.(K)

On Cyprus

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,(L) went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.(M) When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God(N) in the Jewish synagogues.(O) John(P) was with them as their helper.

They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer(Q) and false prophet(R) named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul,(S) Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer(T) (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul(U) from the faith.(V) Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,(W) looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil(X) and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?(Y) 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you.(Z) You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”(AA)

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul(AB) saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Read full chapter