Bar-Jesus — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Jewish sorcerer, a “false prophet” who worked with the governor of Paphos on the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:6). When the governor, Sergius Paulus, took an interest in the message of Paul and Barnabas, Bar-Jesus tried to influence him against their teachings. Paul confronted Bar-Jesus, denounced him as a “son of the devil,” and predicted that a temporary blindness would come upon him as a punishment from God. Bar-Jesus was instantly blinded (Acts 13:7-12), and the governor apparently became a Christian.

Show passage in OET: ACT 13:6

OET-RV ACT 13:6

6 They travelled around the island and when they got to Pafos, they met a Jewish man named Bar-Yeshua (Grk. Bariesus). He was a sorcerer and false prophet

OET-LV ACT 13:6

6 And having _passed _through all the island until Pafos, they _found a_man, a_certain Youdaiōns false _prophet magician, to _whose name was Bariaʸsous,

Show passage in OET: ACT 13:7–12

OET-RV ACT 13:7

7 who was with Sergios Paulos the proconsul, an intelligent man. Sergios sent for Barnabas and Sha’ul (Saul; Grk. Saulos /Saul) because he wanted to hear God’s message from them,

OET-RV ACT 13:8

8 but the sorcerer opposed them and tried to prevent Sergios from believing.

OET-RV ACT 13:9

9 So then Sha’ul (the Roman/Latin form of his name was Paulos), filled with the holy spirit looked intently at Bar -Yeshua

OET-RV ACT 13:10

10 and said, “You’re full of all kinds of deceit and fraud you child of the devil. Will you never stop twisting the truth about following the master?

OET-RV ACT 13:11

11 Well, look here! Yahweh will extend his power against you and blind you—you’ll go a season without seeing the sun!”
¶ And immediately he could only see fog and darkness, and needed someone to guide him around by the hand.

OET-RV ACT 13:12

12 The proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, and was amazed as he learnt about the master.

OET-LV ACT 13:7

7 who was with the proconsul Sergios Paulos, a_ intelligent _man.
This man, having _called _to Barnabas and Saulos/(Shāʼūl), sought _after to _hear the message of_ the _god.

OET-LV ACT 13:8

8 But Elumas the magician (for thus is _being _translated the name of _him was _resisting against _them) seeking to _pervert the proconsul from the faith.

OET-LV ACT 13:9

9 But Saulos, the one also called Paulos, having _been _filled with_the_ holy _spirit, having _looked _intently at him

OET-LV ACT 13:10

10 said:
Oh son of_the_devil full of _all deceit and all fraud, enemy of _all righteousness, not ˓will˒_you _be _ceasing perverting the the straight ways of _the master?

OET-LV ACT 13:11

11 And now see, the_hand of_the_master on you, and you _will _be blind, not seeing the sun until a_season.
and immediately a_mist and darkness fell on him, and going _around he _was _seeking one _leading _by _hand.

OET-LV ACT 13:12

12 Then the proconsul having _seen what having _become, he _believed being _astonished at the teaching of _the master.

Jump to OET ACT 13:6 section.

Jump to OET ACT 13:7–12 section.

The many superstitious people of that day were easy prey for wonder-workers like Bar-Jesus (cf. Acts 8:9-11). The term “sorcerer” applied to him, however, connoted more than just a magician. It often referred to a wise man whose scientific understanding supposedly exceeded that of most others in that society.

Show passage in OET: ACT 8:9–11

OET-RV ACT 8:9

9 One man in the city had been practicing magic and amazing the people, and he claimed that he was someone great. His name was Shim’on (Simon)

OET-RV ACT 8:10

10 and the people there from the least to the most important said, “This power is from the great god.”

OET-RV ACT 8:11

11 They gave him a lot of attention because he’d been amazing them with magic for quite a long time.

OET-LV ACT 8:9

9 And a_man certain by_the_name Simōn, was _previously _starting in the city practicing _magic, and amazing the people of_ the _Samareia, saying himself to _be someone great.

OET-LV ACT 8:10

10 To _whom all from small to great were _giving _heed saying:
This is the Power of_ the _god, which being _called great.

OET-LV ACT 8:11

11 And they _were _giving _heed to _him, because _of that to _have _amazed them with _the magic for _much time.

Jump to OET ACT 8:9–11 section.

Bar-Jesus was also called Elymas, which was his Greek name (Acts 13:8). It was common practice for Jews with contacts in both cultures to adopt a Greek name. According to one view, Elymas is based on an Aramaic word for “strong” and an Arabic word for “wise,” which actually means “magician.”