Acts 13:9
What does Acts 13:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:9 means
At this critical juncture, Saul, now also referred to as Paul—a significant name change indicating his growing prominence and perhaps his intentional shift towards a Gentile audience—was filled with the Holy Spirit. This divine empowerment enabled him to perceive the spiritual malice behind Elymas's opposition. Paul’s direct gaze upon the sorcerer was not merely human anger, but a Spirit-given discernment and authority. It prepared him to confront the forces of spiritual darkness head-on, in contrast to Elymas's deceptive practices, demonstrating the true source of divine power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Saul, whose other name is Paul, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking hard at him, said,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Saul--who also <FI>is<Fi> Paul--having been filled with the Holy Spirit, and having looked stedfastly on him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Saul, otherwise Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, looking upon him,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Saul, who also [is] Paul, filled with [the] Holy Spirit, fixing his eyes upon him,
Context
After Elymas the sorcerer actively tried to steer the proconsul away from faith in verse 8, this verse pivotaly marks Saul's transformation into 'Paul' and highlights his being filled with the Holy Spirit. This divine filling immediately precedes his bold confrontation with Elymas, detailed in verses 10-11, signaling that Paul's ensuing words and actions are not from himself but are divinely inspired and empowered. This moment dramatically escalates the spiritual conflict and prepares for God's clear demonstration of power.
v.8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.
v.9This passage
v.10and 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?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
- Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
- Acts 4:8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders,
- Mark 3:5
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored.
- Micah 3:8
But as for me, I am full of power by the Spirit of Jehovah, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
- Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
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