Acts 13:8

“But Elymas the sorcerer, for so is his name by interpretation, etc.] Not that Magus a sorcerer is by interpretation Elymas; as if Luke was interpreting the Persic word “Magus”, which is sometimes used in a good sense, for a wise man, as in (<400201>Matthew 2:1) by an Arabic word “Elim”, which signifies knowing; but “Elymas” is the interpretation of his name “Bar-jesus”; which as that signifies the son of salvation, or of healing, so this, as Deuteronomy Dieu observes, may be derived from µlj, “Chalam”, which signifies “to heal”, or to be sound and in health. Junius thinks the name comes from the Arabic word µala, which signifies “to mutter”, as wizards and sorcerers, and such sort of men…”

“But Elymas--or "the wise." for so is his name by interpretation--the word is from the Arabic. withstood them--perceiving, probably, how eagerly the proconsul was drinking in the word, and fearing a dismissal. (Compare Ti2 3:8).”

“}But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) - Elymas the magician. Elymas is the interpretation, not of the name Bar-jesus, but of the word rendered “the sorcerer.” It is an Arabic word, and means the same as Magus. It seems that he was better known by this foreign name than by his own. Withstood them - Resisted them. He was sensible that if the influence of Saul and Barnabas should be extended over the proconsul, that he would be seen to be an impostor, and his power be at an end. His interest, therefore, led him to oppose the gospel. His own popularity was at stake; and being governed by this, he opposed the gospel of God. The love of popularity and power, the desire of…”

“for: Act 13:6, Act 9:36; Joh 1:41 withstood: Exo 7:11-13; Kg1 22:24; Jer 28:1, Jer 28:10, Jer 28:11, Jer 29:24-32; Ti2 3:8, Ti2 4:14, Ti2 4:15 Acts 13:9”