Acts 13:10
What does Acts 13:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:10 means
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul directly confronted Elymas, denouncing him as utterly corrupt and malicious. He labeled him a 'son of the devil' and an 'enemy of all righteousness,' exposing the spiritual source of his opposition. Paul accused Elymas of actively perverting the clear and truthful ways of the Lord, indicting his deliberate attempt to obstruct the gospel and deceive the proconsul. This powerful rebuke was not merely an outburst of anger but a prophetic declaration revealing the sorcerer's true nature and his alignment with spiritual evil.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O you, who are full of false tricks and evil ways, a son of the Evil One, hating all righteousness, will you for ever be turning people from the right ways of the Lord?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862said, `O full of all guile, and all profligacy, son of a devil, enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the right ways of the Lord?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Said: O full of all guile and of all deceit, child of the devil, enemy of all justice, thou ceases not to pervert the right ways of the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890said, O full of all deceit and all craft: son of [the] devil, enemy of all righteousness; wilt thou not cease perverting the right paths of [the] Lord?
Context
Immediately following his spiritual empowerment and direct gaze upon Elymas in verse 9, Paul delivers a strong prophetic condemnation in this verse. His words directly address the sorcerer's deceptive actions and spiritual allegiance. This verbal confrontation sets the stage for a tangible demonstration of God's power over evil, as Paul, empowered by the Spirit, proceeds to pronounce God's judgment upon Elymas, which is immediately fulfilled in verse 11. The severity of the denunciation underscores the gravity of Elymas's sin.
v.9But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,
v.10This passage
v.11And 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 3:8
he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
- Galatians 1:7
which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
- 2 Peter 2:15
forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;
- Hosea 14:9
Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein.
- Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
- Acts 20:30
and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
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