NEW TESTAMENT

Bar-jesus. The sorcerer with the proconsul at Paphos who withstood Barnabas and Saul and was struck blind “for a season”.

SCRIPTURE SAYS

“A certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew” (Acts 13:6)

ERA

New Testament AD 1–60

IN THE DAYS OF

Sergius Paulus

BOOK

None bears the name

HOW HE SPOKE

Acts calls him “a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew” and “Elymas the sorcerer”, but records no prophecy or word of his.

THE CALL

How he spoke

  • From the textActs calls him “a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew” and “Elymas the sorcerer”, but records no prophecy or word of his. Acts 13:6–8
  • Acts says he “withstood” Barnabas and Saul. Acts 13:8

BEFORE THE RULERS

Before Sergius Paulus

PROCONSUL OF CYPRUS

Sergius Paulus

“Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man;”

Acts 13:7 (KJV) →

PLACES

Where his story happened

  • Salamis · Where Barnabas and Saul landed on Cyprus
  • Paphos · Where they found Bar-jesus with the proconsul
  • Cyprus · “They sailed to Cyprus”
  • Seleucia · Where the journey to Cyprus began

SIGNS

Signs and wonders

WONDER

Struck blind “for a season”

COMPANIONS AND OPPONENTS

Who stood with him, and against him

Paul (Saul)

Barnabas

Sergius Paulus

HOW THE STORY ENDS

Scripture says, tradition says

SCRIPTURE SAYS

  • From the textHe was struck blind “for a season”. Acts does not say whether his sight came back, or what became of him. Acts 13:11

TRADITION SAYS

No tradition is recorded here.

OPEN QUESTIONS

Where readers have differed

It translates “sorcerer”

Albert Barnes; H. A. W. Meyer (English 1877–1879); M. R. Vincent (1887); R. J. Knowling (1900)

Barnes: “Elymas is the interpretation, not of the name Bar-jesus, but of the word rendered ‘the sorcerer.’” Vincent: “An Arabic word, meaning the wise, and equivalent to Magus.” Acts 13:8 [63][64][65][66]

It translates “Bar-jesus”

John Gill (1746–1748), after De Dieu and Hiller; J. A. Bengel (1742)

Gill holds that “Elymas” is the interpretation of “Bar-jesus”; Bengel says the two names “are in some way synonymous”. Acts 13:6–8 [67][68]

A different reading, Etoimas

F. Blass (as reported by Knowling, 1900)

Knowling reports manuscript support for the form “Etoimas”, which Blass reads and renders “Son of the Ready”. Acts 13:8 [66]

IN SCRIPTURE

Every passage

CHAPTERS · 1

Acts 13

PASSAGES · 1

Acts 13:4–13

WHAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY

  • Acts records no word or prophecy of his own.
  • The page uses Acts’ own words for him: “a false prophet” (Acts 13:6).
  • Acts does not say whether he regained his sight.

SOURCES

Where this page comes from

  • A. Plummer, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to S. Luke (International Critical Commentary) (1896), on Luke 3:1, pp. 81-84.
  • W. M. Ramsay, Was Christ Born at Bethlehem? A Study on the Credibility of St. Luke (1898), ch. XI, pp. 227-245.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Notes on Luke 2:2 and 3:1 (about 1880), read on Bible Hub.
  • Origen, tr. Allan Menzies, Commentary on the Gospel of John, book 6 (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 9) (1896), 6.24.
  • Jerome, tr. W. H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W. G. Martley, Letter 108, to Eustochium (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 6) (1893), 108.13; the translators date the letter to AD 404.
  • Theodoret, tr. Blomfield Jackson, Ecclesiastical History, book 3 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 3) (1892), 3.3.
  • tr. Alexander Walker, The Protevangelium of James (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 8) (1886), chs. 22–24.
  • The Catholic Encyclopedia, "Apocrypha", vol. 1 (1907), section on the Protoevangelium Jacobi.
  • tr. J. H. MacMahon, "The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles", in the appendix of "dubious and spurious pieces" printed with the works of Hippolytus (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5) (1886), nos. 32 and 44 (New Advent titles its page "Pseudo-Hippolytus").
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 3:4 (about 1878), note on Matthew 3:4; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Matthew 3:4; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 11:3 (about 1878), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. B. Bruce, The Expositor's Greek Testament: Matthew (1897), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Carr, The Gospel according to St Matthew (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1878), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Matthew (1880–1897), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 17:11 (about 1878), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of Matthew (English translation) (1879), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Matthew (1880–1897), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Mark 1:2 (about 1878), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Mark (1880–1897), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Luke 2:25 (about 1878), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospels of Mark and Luke (English translation) (1880), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • F. W. Farrar, The Gospel according to St Luke (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • Joseph Benson, Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Luke 2:37 (about 1878), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. B. Bruce, The Expositor's Greek Testament: Luke (1897), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. W. Watkins, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on John 1:28 (about 1879), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St John (1880–1897), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 11:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Acts 13:1 (about 1880), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. C. Hervey, Acts (Pulpit Commentary) (1884), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Acts 15:22 (about 1880), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 15:34; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 15:34; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.

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