BAR-JESUS bär je’ zəs (Βαριησοῦς, G979, Aram. בַּר יְשׁוּעָ son of Jesus [Joshua]. Douay VS form Bar-jesu). An opponent of Christianity at Paphos on Cyprus who became temporarily blind when Paul denounced him (Acts 13:6-11).

Luke gives a threefold identification before recording the man’s name: “a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew” (v. 6 ASV). He opposed the preaching of the Gospel for fear of losing his influential position with the governor. Paul’s empowered denunciation, exposing his character and deeds (vv. 10, 11), defeated the opposition. His announcement of divine punishment on Bar-Jesus was immediately fulfilled.

Luke’s added words, “But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name)...” (v. 8), are obscure. Some refer the explanation to the term “magician” (μάγος, G3407), while others apply the parenthesis to “Bar-Jesus.” Possibly the simple meaning is that Bar-Jesus was his Jewish patronymic while Elymas was his personal Gr. name. No satisfactory solution is yet available. See Elymas.

Bibliography R. J. Knowling, EGT, II (1917), 885-887; K. Lake and H. J. Cadbury, BC, IV (1933), 143-145; A. D. Nock, BC, V (1933), 164-188; L. Yaure, “Elymas—Nehelamite—Pethor,” JBL, LXXIX (1960), 297-314.