Acts 13:8 Meaning and Explanation
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elymas the sorcerer opposes the missionaries, trying to keep the proconsul from believing.
What Does Acts 13:8 Mean?
The sorcerer, here called by his other name Elymas, sets himself against the messengers, striving to turn the proconsul away from the faith. He saw the gospel as a threat to his own influence and worked to keep this seeking man in darkness.
Opposition to the truth often springs from fear of losing power or position. Elymas could not bear to see another's heart turn toward God, for it would mean the loss of his hold. So it has always been when the kingdom advances: those who profit from deception resist the light. Yet such resistance only sets the stage for God to show, plainly and unmistakably, which power is real.
Acts 13:8 in the Original Language
anthistemi (ἀνθίστημι), 'withstood' -- to set oneself against, to actively resist and oppose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 13:8
What does Acts 13:8 mean?
Elymas the sorcerer opposes the missionaries, trying to keep the proconsul from believing.