Devine Scripture

Acts 13:6

What does Acts 13:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 13:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 13:6 means

As Barnabas and Saul traversed the island of Cyprus, they reached Paphos, the capital. There they encountered a Jewish sorcerer, Bar-Jesus, who was also a false prophet. This man’s profession as a sorcerer suggests he engaged in occult practices, while his claim to be a prophet indicates he led people astray with false spiritual guidance. His Jewish identity makes his deception particularly insidious, representing an internal spiritual threat to the truth of God’s word. This encounter establishes the spiritual opposition they would face in their mission field.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when they had gone through all the island to Paphos, they came across a certain wonder-worker and false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having gone through the island unto Paphos, they found a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name <FI>is<Fi> Bar-Jesus;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when they had gone through the whole island, as far as Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesu:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having passed through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain man a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus,

Context

After preaching in the synagogues of Salamis in verse 5, this verse details Barnabas and Saul's continued journey across Cyprus, bringing them to Paphos. This geographical shift introduces a significant spiritual antagonist, Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer and false prophet. This encounter, detailed in the following verses, immediately presents a challenge to their ministry and becomes a dramatic confrontation between divine truth and demonic deception, setting the stage for a powerful demonstration of God's authority later in the passage.

v.5And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant.

v.6This passage

v.7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 10:46

    And they come to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timæus, Bartimæus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the way side.

  • Revelation 19:20

    And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:

  • Matthew 24:24

    For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

  • Deuteronomy 13:1

    If there arise in the midst of thee a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give thee a sign or a wonder,

  • 1 Chronicles 10:13

    So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah, which he kept not; and also for that he asked counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire thereby,

  • 2 Peter 2:1

    But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

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