Bible Figure
Elymas
Jewish magus depicted in the Acts of the Apostles
Elymas, also called Bar-Jesus, was a Jewish magician or false prophet on Cyprus who opposed Barnabas and Saul before the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus. Paul rebuked him for trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith, and Elymas was temporarily struck blind.
Biography
During the first missionary journey, Barnabas and Saul traveled across Cyprus to Paphos. There they encountered a Jewish magician and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, whom Luke also calls Elymas. He was associated with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man who summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. Elymas opposed them and attempted to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Saul, now also identified as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit and sharply rebuked Elymas for deceit and opposition to the Lord's ways. Paul announced that the hand of the Lord was against him and that he would be blind for a time. Darkness fell upon Elymas, and he sought someone to lead him by the hand. The proconsul then believed, astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Biblical Significance
Elymas' opposition marks an important moment in Acts as the Gospel advances into the Gentile world. His temporary blindness mirrors the spiritual blindness involved in resisting the message, while the episode emphasizes the authority of the apostolic Gospel over occult or deceptive spiritual claims.