What is the meaning of Acts 13:6? They traveled through the whole island • Paul and Barnabas, already sent out by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4), refuse to stop halfway. Their complete circuit of Cyprus models wholehearted obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19; cf. Acts 9:15). • The phrase underscores endurance: every town and village hears the gospel, mirroring Jesus’ own pattern of preaching “in their synagogues throughout all Galilee” (Mark 1:39). • God’s Word presents missionary work as both proclamation and presence. By covering “the whole island,” these servants live out Romans 15:19, “fully proclaiming the gospel of Christ.” as far as Paphos • Paphos, the Roman administrative center, is steeped in paganism yet holds strategic influence. Reaching the seat of power anticipates Acts 1:8—witness “to the ends of the earth,” including political spheres (Acts 9:15). • The detail assures us God directs His messengers to receptive hearts in surprising places—here the proconsul Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7). Compare Cornelius in Caesarea (Acts 10:1–2). • Paphos’ idolatrous culture contrasts with gospel truth, echoing Paul’s later ministry in Athens (Acts 17:16–17). where they found • Nothing accidental occurs in kingdom work. The team “finds” what the Lord intends to expose (Ephesians 2:10; Proverbs 16:9). Divine appointments often appear as obstacles before they become opportunities (Acts 8:26–29). • The wording highlights God’s sovereignty over encounters, preparing both the missionary and the hearer. a Jewish sorcerer • Sorcery is explicitly forbidden to Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10–12; Exodus 22:18), so this man’s heritage intensifies his rebellion. • The clash pits supernatural counterfeit against Holy Spirit power, mirroring Moses versus Pharaoh’s magicians (Exodus 7:11–12) and Simon the magician versus Philip (Acts 8:9–11). • Galatians 5:20 lists sorcery among “works of the flesh,” underscoring that occult practice is incompatible with faith. and false prophet • Scripture repeatedly warns of those who claim divine authority yet speak lies (Deuteronomy 13:1–5; Jeremiah 23:16; 2 Peter 2:1). • By labeling him both sorcerer and false prophet, Luke exposes the depth of deception: he weaponizes religion for gain, opposing truth much like Balaam (Numbers 22–24). • Jesus predicted such figures who, if possible, “will mislead even the elect” (Matthew 24:24), making the apostles’ discernment vital. named Bar-Jesus • “Bar-Jesus” means “son of Jesus/Joshua,” a bitter irony since he stands against the true Son of God (Matthew 12:30). • A deceiver bearing a name linked to salvation illustrates 2 Corinthians 11:13-15: Satan “masquerades as an angel of light.” • Paul will soon expose the contradiction, proclaiming that “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). summary Acts 13:6 shows the missionaries’ thorough outreach, God’s orchestration of pivotal encounters, and the inevitable spiritual opposition that surfaces when light confronts darkness. The verse sets the stage for the gospel’s triumph over deceptive power, reminding believers to persevere, discern, and trust the Lord who turns every confrontation into an opportunity for truth. |
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