Acts 13:12

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

American Standard Version (1901)

Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Bible in Basic English

Then the ruler, when he saw what was done, had faith, being full of wonder at the teaching of the Lord.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Then the proconsul, when he had seen what was done, believed, admiring at the doctrine of the Lord.

Free Bible Version

When the governor saw what happened he trusted in God, amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the Deputie when he sawe what was done, beleeued, and was astonied at the doctrine of the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Plain English Version

The Roman boss saw all that happen, and he heard everything Paul said about our leader Jesus. He thought, “Wow. This message is really good.” So he believed in Jesus.

Translation for Translators

When the governor saw what had happened to Elymas, he believed in the Lord Jesus. He was amazed by what Paul and Barnabas were teaching about the Lord Jesus.

Unlocked Literal Bible

After the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

Noah Webster Bible

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

World English Bible

Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation

then the proconsul having seen what hath come to pass, did believe, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Context

On Cyprus

¹¹Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.¹²When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

Summary

This verse describes the response of Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, to witnessing the miraculous blinding of Elymas the sorcerer by the Apostle Paul. Sergius Paulus was astounded by the power of God displayed through Paul and came to believe in the teachings of the Lord. His faith was a result of witnessing the divine authority and truth behind the Gospel message, leading him to embrace Christianity. The incident serves as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and the transformative impact of His Word on those who are open to receiving it.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

The deputy - believed - This was a proof that the doctrine was true; and that the power of God, from which nothing could be concealed, and which nothing could resist, was with these preachers. Being astonished - Εκπλησσομενος, Being struck with astonishment, as Elymas was struck with blindness. Thus the word of God is a two-edged sword: it smites the sinner with judgment or compunction; and the sincere inquirer after truth, with conviction of its own worth and excellence.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done,.... That Elymas was struck with blindness immediately, and that the hand of God was manifestly in it, and there was no juggle nor magic art in the case; it was a plain fact, which was certain and visible: he believed; in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom the apostle preached: being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord: both at what was contained in it: for there are many astonishing things in the doctrine of faith; as the birth of Christ of a virgin; the union of the two natures, divine and human, in his person; salvation through his crucifixion and death, and the resurrection of the dead, with others: and also at the miracles which attended this doctrine, and confirmed it; though the Alexandrian copy reads the words thus, "being astonished, he believed in the doctrine of the Lord"; which affords a very easy and natural sense, as that being filled with admiration at the striking of Elymas with blindness, he was induced to believe the doctrine of Christ, preached by Paul and Barnabas, and so the Ethiopic version renders it, "he wondered, and believed in our Lord": and Beza's ancient copy, and others read, "he wondered and believed in God". This deputy we hear no more of afterwards; there is no reason to believe that he quitted his government of this island; though some pretend to say that he did, and followed the Apostle Paul, and went with him into Spain; and that he was left by him at Narbonne in Languedoc in France, and became bishop of that place; which office he held till his death. And though we read of no more converted at this time in Paphos, yet it is highly probable there were others, and that a foundation of a Gospel church state was laid in this place, even though Heathenism still continued. The temple of Venus remained in this place in the "second" century; and in the "fourth" century Venus was worshipped here; yet in the beginning of the "fourth" century, in the council of Nice, Cyril, bishop of Paphos, was present; and in the "fifth" century, a bishop of this place was at the synod of Chalcedon: and in the "eighth" century, Michael, bishop of Taphos, was in the Nycene synod (w). Jerom (x) makes mention of Hilarion, an eminent servant of Christ, who was for some time at Paphos, in the fourth century, and of the many miraculous cures he wrought here; but of the church here, or of any number of believers in Christ, he takes no notice, only of one Hesychius, a disciple; though it is certain there must be a church at this time, as before observed. (w) Magdeburg. Hist. Eccles. cent. 2. c. 15. p. 193. cent. 4. c. 2. p. 5. c. 15. p. 865. cent. 5. c. 2. p. 6. cent. 8. c. 2. p. 6. (x) Vita Hilarion. fol. 86. C.

Acts 13:12

On Cyprus

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

American Standard Version (1901)

Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Bible in Basic English

Then the ruler, when he saw what was done, had faith, being full of wonder at the teaching of the Lord.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Then the proconsul, when he had seen what was done, believed, admiring at the doctrine of the Lord.

Free Bible Version

When the governor saw what happened he trusted in God, amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then the Deputie when he sawe what was done, beleeued, and was astonied at the doctrine of the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Plain English Version

The Roman boss saw all that happen, and he heard everything Paul said about our leader Jesus. He thought, “Wow. This message is really good.” So he believed in Jesus.

Translation for Translators

When the governor saw what had happened to Elymas, he believed in the Lord Jesus. He was amazed by what Paul and Barnabas were teaching about the Lord Jesus.

Unlocked Literal Bible

After the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

Noah Webster Bible

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

World English Bible

Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation

then the proconsul having seen what hath come to pass, did believe, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Acts 13:12

Verse

Context

On Cyprus

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Acts 13:12

On Cyprus

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes