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

Biblical Account

The account of Bar-Jesus 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 Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God."

Bar-Jesus, whose name means "son of Jesus" or "son of Joshua," was closely associated with Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul of Cyprus. Despite his Jewish heritage, Bar-Jesus practiced sorcery, which was strictly forbidden in Jewish law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). His role as a false prophet and sorcerer indicates his involvement in deceptive practices and spiritual opposition to the truth of the Gospel.

Confrontation with Paul

The narrative continues with Bar-Jesus actively opposing the missionaries. 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." The name Elymas is believed to be an Arabic or Aramaic term meaning "wise man" or "sorcerer," highlighting his role as a practitioner of magic arts.

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted Bar-Jesus directly. Acts 13:9-11 describes the encounter: "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 right 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 and the subsequent divine judgment upon Bar-Jesus serve as a powerful demonstration of the authority of the Gospel and the power of God over falsehood and deception. The temporary blindness inflicted upon Bar-Jesus symbolizes the spiritual blindness that accompanies those who oppose the truth of God.

Impact on Sergius Paulus

The miraculous event 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 conversion of Sergius Paulus underscores the triumph of the Gospel over opposition and the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.

Theological Significance

Bar-Jesus serves as a cautionary figure within the biblical narrative, representing the dangers of false prophecy and the spiritual blindness that results from opposing God's truth. His encounter with Paul highlights the early Church's struggle against spiritual deception and the unwavering commitment of the apostles to proclaim the Gospel with boldness and authority. The account of Bar-Jesus reminds believers of the importance of discernment and the need to stand firm against false teachings that seek to undermine the truth of God's Word.Acts 13:6
And when they had gone through the isle to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
Nave's Topical Index

919. Bariesous -- "son of Joshua," Bar-Jesus, a false prophet
... a false prophet NASB Word Usage Bar-Jesus (1). Bar-jesus. Of Chaldee origin (bar
and Yhowshuwa'); son of Jesus (or Joshua); Bar-jesus, an Israelite -- Barjesus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/919.htm - 6k

To the Regions Beyond
... minister.6. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain
sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: 7. Which was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/to the regions beyond.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer,
a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus: which was with the deputy ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

The Miracles
... Hananiah, the false prophet, dies in seven months. ... Jeremiah, Hananiah; Micaiah, the
false prophets; Jesus ... the Pharisees; Saint Paul, Bar-jesus; the Apostles ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xiii the miracles.htm

Acts XIII
... (6) "And having passed through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain
magician, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, (7) who was ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was
Bar-jesus: which was ... whether this relates to the two names, Barjesus and Elymas ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its ...
... 13:6. "And when they had gone through the isle (Cyprus) to Paphos, they found a
certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus, which was ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi one argument which.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... in what another man has written things he never wrote, to put in false words for ...
or by the other Gregory, of Nazianzus, and Didymus the seeing prophet, both of ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

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