The Way
The Sorcerer Blinded Before the Governor
The day Saul stepped forward as Paul
Story
Barnabas and Saul landed at Salamis on the island of Cyprus and preached the word in the synagogues. John, also called Mark, whom they had brought from Jerusalem, helped them. They crossed the island all the way to Paphos, the port city at its western end. The governor, Sergius Paulus, lived there. He was a wise man, and he sent for the two because he wanted to hear the word of God.
But beside the governor was a Jewish sorcerer named Bar-Jesus. He was also called Elymas, and he was a false prophet. Elymas opposed the two men and tried to keep the governor from believing. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas.
Paul said, “You are full of lies and evil. Will you never stop twisting the straight ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You will be blind, and for a time you will not see the sun.” At once mist and darkness came over Elymas, and he groped about, looking for someone to lead him by the hand. When the governor saw this, he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord, and he believed.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of the Lord and of Paul
You are full of lies and evil. Will you never stop twisting the straight ways of the Lord?
Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You will be blind, and for a time you will not see the sun.
When the governor saw what happened, he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord, and he believed.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Acts 13:4–12
Background
Paphos was the capital of Roman Cyprus and the seat of the governor. From this scene on, Acts calls Saul by his Roman name, Paul, and begins to write “Paul and his companions” instead of “Barnabas and Saul.” The governor Sergius Paulus is a different person from the apostle Paul.
Pause and Reflect
Am I listening to words that pull me away from God's word?