Who is Elymas (Bar-Jesus) in this passage and what did he do?

Elymas, also called Bar-Jesus, is described as a sorcerer, a false prophet, and a Jew. He was close to Sergius Paulus, the Roman governor of the area. When Paul and Barnabas came preaching the word of God, Sergius Paulus wanted to hear their message. Elymas tried to stop this and worked to turn the governor away from the faith. Instead of helping him know God’s truth, he used deceit and spiritual tricks to keep him in darkness, so Paul openly opposed him.

Why did Paul call Elymas a child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness?

Paul spoke so sharply because Elymas was actively fighting against God’s truth. Instead of just being confused, he used trickery and lies to block Sergius Paulus from believing. By calling him “child of the devil” and “enemy of all righteousness,” Paul showed that Elymas was following the pattern of the devil, who twists truth and leads people away from God. This strong language fits the serious harm Elymas was doing by trying to turn someone away from faith in Christ.

Why was Elymas struck blind, and what does his blindness mean?

Paul said the hand of the Lord was upon Elymas and that he would be blind for a season. Right away a mist and darkness fell on him, and he had to be led by the hand. This was God’s judgment for his stubborn resistance to the gospel. His physical blindness pictures what was already true in his heart: he had shut his eyes to the light of God’s word. The blindness was also a sign to others that God’s power is real and that opposing the gospel is serious.

Who was Sergius Paulus, and why did he believe?

Sergius Paulus was the Roman governor, called the deputy of the country. He is described as a prudent man, which means he was thoughtful and wanted to know the truth. When he heard that Paul and Barnabas were preaching the word of God, he sent for them because he wanted to hear it. Even though Elymas tried to pull him away from faith, he saw God’s power in the judgment on Elymas and heard the teaching about the Lord. Because of this, he believed, being astonished at the Lord’s doctrine.

What does this passage teach about the Holy Spirit’s role in mission?

The passage begins by saying Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy Ghost. This shows their journey was not just their own idea. God himself directed and backed their work. The Holy Spirit led them where to go, opened doors for preaching in the synagogues, and filled Paul when he spoke to Elymas. The story shows that real mission work does not rest on human wisdom or power but on God’s leading and help, even when there is strong opposition.

Why did Paul and Barnabas preach first in the Jewish synagogues in Cyprus?

When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Salamis, they went into the synagogues of the Jews and preached the word of God there. This shows their pattern of bringing the message first to the Jewish people, who already knew the Scriptures and God’s promises. By starting with them, they honored God’s past work among Israel and gave those who knew the promises a clear chance to hear about Christ. After that, the message also reached Gentiles like Sergius Paulus.

What does this story show about God’s power over sorcery and false religion?

Elymas practiced sorcery and used his influence to keep Sergius Paulus from the gospel. When he resisted, God did not let his lies win. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul exposed him as a deceiver and pronounced God’s judgment. Elymas was made blind, and the governor believed. This shows that no magic, superstition, or false teaching can stand against God’s truth when God chooses to act. God is able both to stop deceivers and to bring honest seekers into the light.

How can this passage guide believers when they face opposition to the gospel today?

This passage shows that opposition to the gospel is real and often comes from people who twist truth. Believers can see that Paul did not back down or change the message to avoid conflict. He trusted the Holy Spirit, spoke plainly, and left the results to God. Today, when someone lies about Christ or tries to pull others away from faith, Christians should stay clear about the truth, pray for God’s help, and remember that God can both judge deceit and save those who truly want to hear.

Acts.13.4

Acts 13:4

KJV Holy Spirit

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

On Cyprus

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

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 of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.