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The miracles of the New Testament are generally distinguished from the Old by being worthy works of mercy. Two only of our Lord's were inflictions of severity, and those were attended with no harm to the bodies of men. The same law pervades the miracles of the apostles. One miracle of wrath was worked by Peter and Paul; and we can see sufficient reasons why liars and hypocrites like Ananias and Sapphira, and impostors like Elymas, should be publicly punished, and made examples of. A passage in the life of Peter presents a parallel which is closer in some respects with this interview of Paul with Bar-Jesus. As Simon Magus, "who had long time bewitched the Samaritans with his sorceries," was denounced by Peter "as still in the gall of bitterness," etc., and solemnly told that his heart was not right in the sight of God; so Paul, conscious of his apostolic power, and under the power of immediate inspiration, rebuked Elymas as a child of that devil who is "the father of lies," as a worker of deceit and mischief, etc. He proceeded to denounce an instantaneous judgment, and according to his prophetic word, the "hand of the Lord" struck the sorcerer, as it had once struck the apostle himself — the sight of the magician began to waver, and presently a darkness settled on it so thick that he ceased to behold the sun's light. This blindness of the false prophet opened the eyes of the deputy. That which had been intended as an opposition to the gospel proved the means of its extension. We are ignorant of the degree of this extension in Cyprus. But we cannot doubt that when the proconsul was converted, his influence would make Christianity reputable; and that from this moment the Gentiles of the island as well as the Jews had the news of salvation brought home to them.

(J. S. Howson, D. D.)

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KJV: Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

WEB: But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,