Act 13:4-13 | PNT | STEP | So they . . . departed unto Seleucia . This was the seaport of Antioch, at the mouth of the Orontes, about sixteen miles distant in a direct course. At that period it was crowded with shipping. The massive walls of its harbors are still seen, though the city is a ruin. They sailed to Cyprus . The large island which could be seen in clear air from the coast of Asia. It was chosen as the first field, probably because it was the old home of Barnabas ( ). It had a large Jewish population.

Acts 13:4-13

So they . . . departed unto Seleucia. This was the seaport of Antioch, at the mouth of the Orontes, about sixteen miles distant in a direct course. At that period it was crowded with shipping. The massive walls of its harbors are still seen, though the city is a ruin.

They sailed to Cyprus. The large island which could be seen in clear air from the coast of Asia. It was chosen as the first field, probably because it was the old home of Barnabas (Ac 4:36). It had a large Jewish population. Salamis. The eastern seaport. A day's run would carry them from Seleucia to Salamis. The distance is only about fifty miles.

Preached . . . in the synagogues. That there was more than one shows that the Jews were very numerous. In the reign of Trajan, a half century later, they were numerous enough in Cyprus to almost exterminate the Gentile population, and were only put down after the arrival of the Roman general, Hadrian, afterwards emperor, with a great army.

They had also John. Mark. He probably acted as baptist. He was related to Barnabas (Col 4:10). When they had gone through the isle. The island was about 130 miles long by fifty wide. Salamis being at the east and Paphos at the west extremity.

Paphos. This was at this time the capital. It was noted for the worship of Venus.

Found a certain sorcerer. A magician. Though the law forbade witchcraft and magic (De 18:9-22 Le 19:31), yet contemporaneous history shows that at this period the Jewish magicians had great influence. Marius, Pompey, Crassus, and Tiberius were all more or less under their sway.

A false prophet. Falsely professing inspiration. Was with the deputy. "Proconsul" in the Revised Version. The Roman provinces at this time were divided into senatorial and imperial. The senatorial were ruled by a proconsul. We learn from other sources that Cyprus at this time was a senatorial province ruled by a proconsul.

Sergius Paulus. Nothing more is known of him than is here related.

A prudent man. Hence he was anxious to hear Barnabas and Saul. But Elymas. Another name of Bar-Jesus, meaning, "the wise man". He had probably assumed it.

Withstood them. As a Jew he was opposed, and his interests, too, were opposed. He did not wish to lose his hold on the proconsul. Hence he sought to prevent his acceptance of the faith. But Saul, (who also [is called] Paul). From this date he is the chief figure of the Acts. Barnabas, who had hitherto been the leader, falls behind. The origin of the name Paul is unknown. It is a Roman name, that of a great Roman family, and it is likely that the great apostle had two names, one Jewish, the other Gentile, a common thing anciently. Peter (Mt 16:16), Daniel (Da 1:7), Esther (Es 2:7), and many others afford examples.

Filled with the Holy Ghost. Acting under the impulse of the Holy Spirit. Child of the devil. Under his influence.

The right ways of the Lord. God's plan of salvation in Christ. The hand of the Lord [is] upon thee. In judgment.

Thou shalt be blind. He was fighting against the light. Hence physical blindness for a season.

A mist and a darkness. As though a cloud had gathered about him. Then the deputy . . . believed. The language implies that he became a Christian. The "believers" were those who accepted Christ. Now when Paul and his company. Henceforth Paul is the leader. From Paphos they sailed northward to Perga on the Asiatic mainland, an important city of Pamphylia.

John departing. Why he left we do not know, but we know Paul did not approve of it. See Ac 15:39. Perhaps he feared the dangers before him.