What does Acts 13:11 mean?
The Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6), who has hidden the truth of God's light from his mark, is now literally blinded. Paul and Barnabas are on the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:2–4), speaking to a Roman proconsul about Jesus (Acts 13:7–8). The government official, in a search for the true God, has come under the influence of a fraud who promises spiritual light and provides only darkness. Irritated by the magician's opposition and filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul declares Bar-Jesus will be blind.Blindness was a significant contributor to Paul's conversion. On the road to Damascus for the purpose of arresting Jewish Jesus-followers, Paul was confronted by Jesus in a bright light. Jesus told Paul to go into the city and wait for instruction. When Jesus left, Paul was blinded and "they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus" (Acts 9:8). Now, the magician that led Sergius Paulus into spiritual darkness is unable to see light.
"A time," also translated "season," is from the Greek root word kairos. It refers to a set amount of time during which a defined qualification is fulfilled. Paul was blind for only three days. Although Paul seems to say Bar-Jesus will be physically blind temporarily, it's not known if the false prophet opens his spiritual eyes and accepts the truth about Jesus.