Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to see Sergius's belief as just a reaction to a cool miracle, but the text highlights that he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. This suggests his amazement wasn't solely at the blinding of Elymas, but at how that judgment revealed the undeniable power and truth behind the message Paul proclaimed.
Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul and Barnabas are in Cyprus, confronting a sorcerer named Elymas who is trying to prevent the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, from hearing the gospel. After Paul strikes Elymas blind, the proconsul witnesses this dramatic event and is astonished, leading him to believe in the powerful teaching of the Lord.
Why did Sergius Paulus believe? It wasn't just the intellectual argument, but something far more dramatic that caught his attention.
Sergius Paulus's belief is directly linked to seeing what happened. Paul had just pronounced judgment on Elymas the sorcerer, who was struck blind. This wasn't a gentle nudge; it was a powerful, visible demonstration of God's power. The miracle served as a signpost, pointing Sergius towards the truth of Paul's message. It showed that this wasn't just human speaking, but divine intervention.
Think of it like this: imagine you're trying to convince someone of a scientific theory, and suddenly a physics-defying event occurs right before their eyes. It grabs their attention in a way that mere words can't. The miraculous event made the 'teaching of the Lord' undeniable and urgent.
What exactly was this 'doctrine of the Lord' that amazed a Roman proconsul?
The 'doctrine of the Lord' wasn't just a set of abstract rules. It was the core message about Jesus Christ – His life, death, resurrection, and authority. For Sergius Paulus, this message, now backed by a powerful miracle and the sudden blindness of his own advisor, Elymas, became incredibly compelling.
It's likely he was astonished by a few things:
Ask a follow-up
When the text says Sergius 'believed,' what does that really mean for a man in his position?
The word 'believed' here likely signifies more than just intellectual assent. It implies a profound conviction and a turning towards the truth. For Sergius Paulus, a man of authority and presumably a seeker of wisdom (as indicated by his desire to hear the word of God), this belief was a pivotal moment.
While the text doesn't explicitly state he was baptized, the language in Acts often implies a more comprehensive commitment when someone 'believes.' It meant he was convinced of the truth of Paul's message and likely recognized the power and validity of the God Paul served. It was a step from being merely 'astonished' to being genuinely persuaded and ready to follow.
Understand the original words
ekplēssomai · Greek Verb (participle)
A state of being intellectually or emotionally overwhelmed by a divine manifestation or powerful truth; it carries the sense of being struck with awe or amazement at God’s power.
didachē · Greek Noun
The authoritative communication of divine truth. In the New Testament, it refers specifically to the message of the gospel centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The conversion of Sergius Paulus highlights how divine power, displayed through miracles, could shatter resistance and awaken genuine faith in prominent Roman officials, even amidst opposition.
c. AD 46-48
First Missionary Journey Begins
Barnabas and Paul embark on their first major missionary journey, venturing into Cyprus and Asia Minor to spread the gospel to Gentiles.
c. AD 47
Arrival in Cyprus
Paul and Barnabas arrive on the island of Cyprus, beginning their ministry in the region where Barnabas was from.
c. AD 47— this verse
Encounter with Sergius Paulus
In Paphos, Sergius Paulus, the Roman governor, summons Paul and Barnabas to hear the word of God, encountering the sorcerer Elymas.
c. AD 47
Elymas Struck Blind
Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, denounces Elymas the sorcerer and strikes him blind, demonstrating God's power over false magic.
c. AD 47
Proconsul Sergius Paulus Believes
Astonished by the miracle and Paul's teaching, Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, becomes a believer.
c. AD 48
Departure from Cyprus
After their ministry in Cyprus, Paul and his companions depart for Perga in Pamphylia, continuing their journey.
This passage shows a similar reaction of astonishment at Jesus' teaching, highlighting how divine authority and power accompanying the message made a profound impact.
Acts 8:12This verse shows the spread of the gospel leading to belief and baptism among men and women, providing a parallel to Sergius Paulus's conversion as a significant outcome of apostolic preaching.
Acts 19:18Many who had believed in Ephesus confessed and disclosed their practices, indicating that genuine belief often leads to a turning away from former ways, a potential outcome for Sergius.
John 1:12This verse speaks to receiving Jesus as authority and believing in His name, which is the foundational concept behind Sergius's decision to believe upon witnessing Christ's power through Paul.
ellicottActs 13:12: "Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord."
(12) Being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. —The genitive is, probably, that of the object, the teaching which had the Lord, i.e., the Lord Jesus, as its main theme.
clarkeActs 13:12: "Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord."
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 compunct…
It's easy to see Sergius's belief as just a reaction to a cool miracle, but the text highlights that he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. This suggests his amazement wasn't solely at the blinding of Elymas, but at how that judgment revealed the undeniable power and truth behind the message Paul proclaimed.
Paul and Barnabas are in Cyprus, confronting a sorcerer named Elymas who is trying to prevent the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, from hearing the gospel. After Paul strikes Elymas blind, the proconsul witnesses this dramatic event and is astonished, leading him to believe in the powerful teaching of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas are in Cyprus, confronting a sorcerer named Elymas who is trying to prevent the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, from hearing the gospel. After Paul strikes Elymas blind, the proconsul witnesses this dramatic event and is astonished, leading him to believe in the powerful teaching of the Lord.
"Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord." — It's easy to see Sergius's belief as just a reaction to a cool miracle, but the text highlights that he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. This suggests his amazement wasn't solely at the…
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Last reviewed October 2026