Acts 12:8
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄγγελος
the angel
G32
ἄγγελος
the angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
4 of 25
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 25
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Περίζῶσαι
Gird thyself
G4024
Περίζῶσαι
Gird thyself
Strong's:
G4024
Word #:
7 of 25
to gird all around, i.e., (middle voice or passive) to fasten on one's belt (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπόδησαι
bind on
G5265
ὑπόδησαι
bind on
Strong's:
G5265
Word #:
9 of 25
to bind under one's feet, i.e., put on shoes or sandals
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐποίησεν
he did
G4160
ἐποίησεν
he did
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
13 of 25
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
he saith
G3004
λέγει
he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
17 of 25
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Περιβαλοῦ
Cast
G4016
Περιβαλοῦ
Cast
Strong's:
G4016
Word #:
19 of 25
to throw all around, i.e., invest (with a palisade or with clothing)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Elymas (Arabic origin, meaning wise man or sorcerer) is Greek name for Barjesus. Withstood (Greek: anthistēmi) means actively resisted, not passive disagreement. False teachers profit from maintaining adherents' deception. Around 47-48 CE, this confrontation established pattern—gospel advance meets opposition from those benefiting from religious deception. Elymas's influence over proconsul gave him access and prestige he'd lose if Sergius Paulus converted.
Questions for Reflection
- What motivates false teachers to actively resist gospel truth?
- How do entrenched religious authorities feel threatened by gospel?
- In what ways does Satan use false religion to prevent conversion?
- Why does seeking influential convert provoke intense opposition?
- What does this confrontation teach about spiritual warfare in evangelism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. The sorcerer's active opposition—withstanding and attempting to turn Sergius Paulus away—demonstrates Satan's strategy to prevent influential converts through entrenched false teachers.