Acts 13:11
What does Acts 13:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:11 means
Paul declared God's immediate judgment upon Elymas: he would be struck blind for a period, unable to see the sun. This divine punishment was not arbitrary but directly mirrored Elymas's spiritual blindness and his attempts to obscure the truth from others. The instant fulfillment of Paul's words, as a mist and darkness enveloped the sorcerer, served as a tangible sign of God's power and a clear victory over the forces of deception. Elymas's helpless search for someone to lead him underscored his sudden and complete vulnerability. It was a visible sign to all.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now, see, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind and not able to see the sun for a time. And straight away a dark mist came down on him; and he went about looking for a guide.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now, lo, a hand of the Lord <FI>is<Fi> upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season;' and presently there fell upon him a mist and darkness, and he, going about, was seeking some to lead <FI>him<Fi> by the hand;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee: and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a time. And immediately there fell a mist and darkness upon him: and going about, he sought some one to lead him by the hand.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now behold, [the] Lord's hand [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell upon him a mist and darkness; and going about he sought persons who should lead him by the hand.
Context
Building upon Paul's strong condemnation of Elymas in verse 10, this verse describes the immediate and physical manifestation of divine judgment. The blinding of Elymas serves as a powerful, unambiguous sign, directly preceding the proconsul's conversion in verse 12. This dramatic display of God's power over spiritual darkness and deception is crucial for validating Paul and Barnabas's message and confirming the authenticity of the gospel in the eyes of the Roman official.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 38:2
For thine arrows stick fast in me, And thy hand presseth me sore.
- Acts 9:8
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
- 2 Kings 6:8
Now the king of Syria was warring against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.
- Romans 11:7
What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
- Psalms 39:10
Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thy hand.
- Exodus 9:3
behold, the hand of Jehovah is upon thy cattle which are in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the herds, and upon the flocks: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
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