Barjesus, also known as Elymas the sorcerer, is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. His account is found in Acts 13:6-12, where he is depicted as a false prophet and magician who opposed the early Christian missionaries Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey.

Biblical Account

The account of Barjesus is set on the island of Cyprus, where Paul and Barnabas were spreading the Gospel. Acts 13:6-7 states, "They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Barjesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God."

Barjesus, whose name means "son of Jesus" or "son of Joshua," was a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet. He was closely associated with Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul of Cyprus, serving as his attendant. Despite his Jewish heritage, Barjesus practiced sorcery, which was condemned by Jewish law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

Opposition to the Gospel

Barjesus, also referred to as Elymas, actively opposed Paul and Barnabas. Acts 13:8 records, "But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith." His opposition was likely motivated by a desire to maintain his influence over Sergius Paulus and to prevent the spread of the Christian faith, which threatened his position and authority.

Paul's Rebuke and Divine Judgment

In response to Barjesus' opposition, Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted him directly. Acts 13:9-11 narrates, "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas and said, 'You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right. You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.' Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand."

Paul's rebuke highlights Barjesus' spiritual blindness and deceit, labeling him a "child of the devil" and an "enemy of everything that is right." The divine judgment of temporary blindness served as a physical manifestation of his spiritual state and a sign of God's power and authority over falsehood.

Impact on Sergius Paulus

The miraculous blinding of Barjesus had a profound impact on Sergius Paulus. Acts 13:12 concludes, "When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord." The proconsul's conversion underscores the triumph of the Gospel over opposition and the power of God to transform hearts, even among the Gentile rulers of the Roman Empire.

Theological Significance

The account of Barjesus serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of false prophecy and the misuse of spiritual gifts for personal gain. It also illustrates the authority of the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to confront and overcome spiritual opposition. The account emphasizes the sovereignty of God in advancing His kingdom and the ultimate futility of resisting His will.Barjesus

son of Jesus or Joshua

Barjesus

(son of Jesus). [ELYMAS]

Son of Joshua, the patronymic of Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13:6), who met Paul and Barnabas at Paphos. Elymas is a word of Arabic origin meaning "wise." BAR-JESUS

bar-je'-zus (Bariesous): "A certain sorcerer (Greek magos), a false prophet, a Jew" whom Paul and Silas found at Paphos in Cyprus in the train of Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul (Acts 13:6). The proconsul was "a man of understanding" (literally, a prudent or sagacious man), of an inquiring mind, interested in the thought and magic of his times. This characteristic explains the presence of a magos among his staff and his desire to hear Barnabas and Saul. Bar-Jesus was the magician's Jewish name. Elymas is said to be the interpretation of his name (Acts 13:8). It is the Greek transliteration of an Aramaic or Arabic word equivalent to Greek magos. From Arabic `alama, "to know" is derived `alim, "a wise" or "learned man." In Koran, Sur note 106, Moses is called Sachir `alim, "wise magician." Elymas therefore means "sorcerer" (compare Simon "Magus").

The East was flooding the Roman Empire with its new and wonderful religious systems, which, culminating in neo-Platonism, were the great rivals of Christianity both in their cruder and in their more strictly religious forms. Superstition was extremely prevalent, and wonder-workers of all kinds, whether imposters or honest exponents of some new faith, found their task easy through the credulity of the public. Babylonia was the home of magic, for charms are found on the oldest tablets. "Magos" was originally applied to the priests of the Persians who overran Babylonia, but the title degenerated when it was assumed by baser persons for baser articles Juvenal (vi.562, etc.), Horace (Sat. i0.2.1) and other Latin authors mention Chaldean astrologers and impostors, probably Babylonian Jews. Many of the Magians, however, were the scientists of their day, the heirs of the science of Babylon and the lore of Persia, and not merely pretenders or conjurers (see MAGIC). It may have been as the representative of some oriental system, a compound of "science" and religion, that Bar-Jesus was attached to the train of Sergius Paulus.

Both Sergius and Elymas had heard about the teaching of the apostles, and this aroused the curiosity of Sergius and the fear of Elymas. When the apostles came, obedient to the command of the proconsul, their doctrine visibly produced on him a considerable impression. Fearing lest his position of influence and gain would be taken by the new teachers, Elymas "withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith" (Acts 13:8). Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, worked a wonder on the wonder-worker by striking him blind with his word, thus revealing to the proconsul that behind him was Divine power. Sergius Paulus believed, "being astonished at the teaching of the Lord" (Acts 13:12).

S. F. Hunter

919. Bariesous -- "son of Joshua," Bar-Jesus, a false prophet
... Bar-jesus. Of Chaldee origin (bar and Yhowshuwa'); son of Jesus (or Joshua);
Bar-jesus, an Israelite -- Barjesus. see HEBREW bar. see HEBREW Yhowshuwa'. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/919.htm - 6k

I am Told that He Also Carps at Me for the Translation I have ...
... meanings. It means Son, as in the words Barjona (son of a dove) Bartholomew
(son of Tholom??us), Bartim??us, Barjesus, Barabbas. ...
/.../19 i am told that.htm

The Acts of Barnabus.
... And we met a certain Jew, by name Barjesus, coming from Paphos, who also
recognised Barnabas, as having been formerly with Paul. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of barnabus/the acts of barnabus.htm

For if the Baptism which Pr??textatus and Felicianus Administered ...
... he could say, that "Christ is the centre of the Trinity." In the next place, he
has taken occasion of the names of the sorcerers Simon and Barjesus to vent ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 40 46 for.htm

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... It is not clear whether this relates to the two names, Barjesus and Elymas, (if
so we might, read egraphen, "since he wrote just before, (whose name was ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

Index of Subjects.
... 616. requires both the rite and the gospel, [1299]626. man not the justifier,
but God [1300]646. Barjesus, [1301]616. Basilica, [1302 ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects 2.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. . Life and
Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. Various. ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Barjesus (1 Occurrence)
... Sergius Paulus believed, "being astonished at the teaching of the Lord" (Acts
13:12). SF Hunter. Multi-Version Concordance Barjesus (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/barjesus.htm - 9k

Bar-jesus (1 Occurrence)
Bar-jesus. Barjesus, Bar-jesus. Barjona . Easton's Bible Dictionary Son of ...
RSV NIV). Barjesus, Bar-jesus. Barjona . Reference Bible.
/b/bar-jesus.htm - 9k

Isle (15 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain
sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: (KJV WBS). ...
/i/isle.htm - 15k

Bari'ah (1 Occurrence)
Bari'ah. Bariah, Bari'ah. Barjesus . Multi-Version Concordance Bari'ah (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Bariah, Bari'ah. Barjesus . Reference Bible.
/b/bari'ah.htm - 6k

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