New International VersionThey traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
New Living TranslationAfterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus.
English Standard VersionWhen they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.
Berean Standard BibleThey traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
Berean Literal BibleNow having passed through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,
King James BibleAnd when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
New King James VersionNow when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,
New American Standard BibleWhen they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,
NASB 1995When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,
NASB 1977And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,
Legacy Standard BibleAnd when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,
Amplified BibleWhen they had traveled through the entire island [of Cyprus] as far as Paphos, they found a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
Christian Standard BibleWhen they had traveled the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.
American Standard VersionAnd when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus;
Contemporary English VersionBarnabas and Saul went all the way to the city of Paphos on the other end of the island, where they met a Jewish man named Bar-Jesus. He practiced witchcraft and was a false prophet.
English Revised VersionAnd when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThey went through the whole island as far as the city of Paphos. In Paphos they met a Jewish man named Barjesus. He was an astrologer who claimed to be a prophet.
Good News TranslationThey went all the way across the island to Paphos, where they met a certain magician named Bar-Jesus, a Jew who claimed to be a prophet.
International Standard VersionThey went through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish occult practitioner and false prophet named Bar-jesus.
NET BibleWhen they had crossed over the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
New Heart English BibleWhen they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd when they had gone through the isle to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
Weymouth New TestamentWhen they had gone through the whole length of the island as far as Paphos, they there met with a Jewish magician and false prophet, Bar-Jesus by name, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey traveled through the island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
World English BibleWhen they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar Jesus, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand having gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain magus, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name [is] Bar-Jesus;
Berean Literal BibleNow having passed through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,
Young's Literal Translation and having gone through the island unto Paphos, they found a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name is Bar-Jesus;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd having passed through the island to Paphos, they found a certain magician, a false prophet, a Jew, the name to him Barjesus: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when they had gone through the whole island, as far as Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesu:
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd when they had traveled throughout the entire island, even to Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesu.
New American BibleWhen they had traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a magician named Bar-Jesus who was a Jewish false prophet.
New Revised Standard VersionWhen they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when they had traveled the whole island as far as the city of Pa’phos, they found a Jewish sorcerer, who was a false prophet and whose name was Bar-Shu’ma:
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd as they traveled the whole island to the city of Paphos, they found a Jewish man, a Sorcerer who was a false Prophet, whose name was Bar Shuma. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd having gone through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar-jesus;
Godbey New TestamentAnd having gone through the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a Jewish false prophet, to whom was the name of Bar-Jesus:
Haweis New TestamentNow as they travelled through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain person who professed magic, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:
Mace New TestamentHaving travers'd the isle as far as to Paphos, they found a Jew there nam'd Barjesus, who was a false prophet and magician:
Weymouth New TestamentWhen they had gone through the whole length of the island as far as Paphos, they there met with a Jewish magician and false prophet, Bar-Jesus by name,
Worrell New TestamentAnd, having gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus,
Worsley New TestamentAnd going quite through the island even to Paphos, they found there a certain magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context On Cyprus… 5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper. 6They traveled throughthewholeislandas far asPaphos,where they foundaJewishsorcererand false prophetnamedBar-Jesus,7an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.…
Cross References Acts 8:9-11Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.
2 Timothy 3:8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.
Exodus 7:11-12But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
Matthew 24:24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
Revelation 13:13-14And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people. / Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.
1 Kings 22:22And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’
Deuteronomy 18:10-12Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.
2 Kings 17:17They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
Isaiah 47:12-13So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! / You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.
Jeremiah 27:9-10But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ / For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish.
Ezekiel 13:6-9They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. ...
Micah 3:7Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”
Nahum 3:4because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft.
Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Treasury of Scripture And when they had gone through the isle to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: certain. Acts 8:9-11 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: … Acts 19:18,19 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds… Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. a false. Deuteronomy 13:1-3 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, … 1 Kings 22:22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuadehim, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Jeremiah 23:14,15 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah… whose. Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealedit unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. John 21:15-17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon,son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs… Jump to Previous BarFalse.FarFoundIslandIsleJesusJewJewishLengthMagianMagicianMetPaphosProphetSorcererTraveledWholeWonder-WorkerJump to Next BarFalse.FarFoundIslandIsleJesusJewJewishLengthMagianMagicianMetPaphosProphetSorcererTraveledWholeWonder-WorkerActs 13 1.Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles.6.Of Sergius Paulus, and Elymas the sorcerer.13.Paul preaches at Antioch that Jesus is Christ.42.The Gentiles believe;44.but the Jews talked abusively against Paul,46.whereupon they turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe.50.The Jews raise a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium.They traveled through the whole island as far as PaphosThis phrase indicates the missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas on the island of Cyprus. Cyprus was a significant location in the early church, being the home of Barnabas. The journey from Salamis to Paphos would have taken them across the entire island, suggesting a thorough evangelistic effort. Paphos was the capital of Cyprus and a center of Roman administration and pagan worship, particularly of the goddess Aphrodite. This setting highlights the spiritual confrontation between the gospel and pagan practices. where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus The presence of a Jewish sorcerer is significant, as sorcery was condemned in Jewish law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The term "false prophet" suggests that Bar-Jesus claimed to have divine insight or authority, yet his practices were contrary to the truth of God. The name "Bar-Jesus" means "son of Jesus" or "son of Joshua," which could imply an attempt to associate himself with a revered figure. This encounter sets the stage for a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit over deceit and falsehood, as seen in the subsequent verses. The confrontation with Bar-Jesus also echoes the broader theme of spiritual warfare present throughout the book of Acts. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul and BarnabasEarly Christian missionaries sent by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel. They are traveling through Cyprus on their first missionary journey. 2. PaphosA city on the island of Cyprus, known for its worship of Venus and a center of Roman administration. It is significant as the place where Paul and Barnabas encounter Bar-Jesus. 3. Bar-Jesus (Elymas)A Jewish sorcerer and false prophet. His name means "son of Jesus" or "son of Joshua," and he is known for opposing the Gospel. 4. Sergius PaulusThe proconsul of Cyprus, a man of intelligence who seeks to hear the word of God from Paul and Barnabas. 5. The Holy SpiritThe divine guide and empowerer of Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey, leading them to confront falsehood with truth. Teaching Points Discernment in MinistryBelievers must be vigilant and discerning, recognizing false teachings and influences that oppose the Gospel. The Power of the GospelThe Gospel confronts and overcomes falsehood and deception, as demonstrated by Paul and Barnabas's encounter with Bar-Jesus. The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit guides and empowers believers to boldly proclaim the truth, even in the face of opposition. The Importance of Seeking TruthLike Sergius Paulus, individuals should seek the truth of God's word, being open to the transformative power of the Gospel. Spiritual WarfareThe encounter with Bar-Jesus illustrates the reality of spiritual warfare, where the forces of darkness attempt to hinder the spread of the Gospel. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 13:6?
2.How does Acts 13:6 illustrate the importance of discernment in spiritual encounters?
3.What can we learn from Paul's response to false prophets in Acts 13:6?
4.How does Acts 13:6 connect with warnings against false prophets in Matthew 7:15?
5.How should Christians today respond to deceitful influences, as seen in Acts 13:6?
6.What role does spiritual vigilance play in our daily walk, according to Acts 13:6?
7.What is the significance of Bar-Jesus being a false prophet in Acts 13:6?
8.How does Acts 13:6 challenge our understanding of spiritual deception?
9.Why is the encounter with Bar-Jesus important for understanding early Christian missions?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 13?
11.Who was Bar-Jesus in the Bible?
12.What role did Cyprus play in biblical events?
13.What does the Bible say about magic and illusion?
14.Where in documented history is there solid evidence that God “foils the signs of false prophets” (Isaiah 44:25) in the direct, miraculous manner described?What Does Acts 13:6 Mean They traveled through the whole island• Paul and Barnabas, already sent out by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4), refuse to stop halfway. Their complete circuit of Cyprus models wholehearted obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19; cf.Acts 9:15). • The phrase underscores endurance: every town and village hears the gospel, mirroring Jesus’ own pattern of preaching “in their synagogues throughout all Galilee” (Mark 1:39). • God’s Word presents missionary work as both proclamation and presence. By covering “the whole island,” these servants live outRomans 15:19, “fully proclaiming the gospel of Christ.” as far as Paphos• Paphos, the Roman administrative center, is steeped in paganism yet holds strategic influence. Reaching the seat of power anticipatesActs 1:8—witness “to the ends of the earth,” including political spheres (Acts 9:15). • The detail assures us God directs His messengers to receptive hearts in surprising places—here the proconsul Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7). Compare Cornelius in Caesarea (Acts 10:1–2). • Paphos’ idolatrous culture contrasts with gospel truth, echoing Paul’s later ministry in Athens (Acts 17:16–17). where they found• Nothing accidental occurs in kingdom work. The team “finds” what the Lord intends to expose (Ephesians 2:10;Proverbs 16:9). Divine appointments often appear as obstacles before they become opportunities (Acts 8:26–29). • The wording highlights God’s sovereignty over encounters, preparing both the missionary and the hearer. a Jewish sorcerer• Sorcery is explicitly forbidden to Israel (Deuteronomy 18:10–12;Exodus 22:18), so this man’s heritage intensifies his rebellion. • The clash pits supernatural counterfeit against Holy Spirit power, mirroring Moses versus Pharaoh’s magicians (Exodus 7:11–12) and Simon the magician versus Philip (Acts 8:9–11). •Galatians 5:20 lists sorcery among “works of the flesh,” underscoring that occult practice is incompatible with faith. and false prophet• Scripture repeatedly warns of those who claim divine authority yet speak lies (Deuteronomy 13:1–5;Jeremiah 23:16;2 Peter 2:1). • By labeling him both sorcerer and false prophet, Luke exposes the depth of deception: he weaponizes religion for gain, opposing truth much like Balaam (Numbers 22–24). • Jesus predicted such figures who, if possible, “will mislead even the elect” (Matthew 24:24), making the apostles’ discernment vital. named Bar-Jesus• “Bar-Jesus” means “son of Jesus/Joshua,” a bitter irony since he stands against the true Son of God (Matthew 12:30). • A deceiver bearing a name linked to salvation illustrates2 Corinthians 11:13-15: Satan “masquerades as an angel of light.” • Paul will soon expose the contradiction, proclaiming that “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). summaryActs 13:6 shows the missionaries’ thorough outreach, God’s orchestration of pivotal encounters, and the inevitable spiritual opposition that surfaces when light confronts darkness. The verse sets the stage for the gospel’s triumph over deceptive power, reminding believers to persevere, discern, and trust the Lord who turns every confrontation into an opportunity for truth. (6) When they had gone through the isle.--The better MSS. give, through the whole island. Paphos lay at its western extremity, and appears to have been the head-quarters of the Roman governor. A local tradition, reported by M. de Cesnola ( Cyprus,pp. 29, 223), points out a marble column to which St. Paul was bound and scourged by the citizens of Paphos, who are represented as having been among the most wicked of mankind. They found a certain sorcerer.--The word so rendered,Magos,is the same as that used for the "wise men" ofMatthew 2:1 (where see Note), but it is obviously used here in the bad sense which had begun to attach to it even in the days of Sophocles, who makes ?dipus revile Tiresias under this name, as practisingmagic arts (?d.Rex. 387), and which we have found in the case of Simon the sorcerer. (See Note onActs 8:9.) The man bore two names, one, Bar-jesus, in its form a patronymic, the other Elymas (an Aramaic word, probably connected with the ArabicUlema,or sage), a title describing his claims to wisdom and supernatural powers. We have already met with a character of this type in the sorcerer of Samaria. (See Note onActs 8:9.) The lower class of Jews here, as inActs 19:14, seem to have been specially addicted to such practices. They traded on the religious prestige of their race, and boasted, in addition to their sacred books, of spells and charms that had come down to them from Solomon. Verse 6. - The whole island for the isle, A.V. and T.R. Paphos; on the south coast at the further extremity of the island, now Baffa. It had once a convenient harbor, which is now choked up from neglect. The chief temple of the Cyprian Venus was here. A certain sorcerer. The Greek word μάγος, whence magic and magician, is the same as in Matthew 2:1 is rendered "wise men." But here, as in Acts 8:9, it has a bad sense. It is a Persian word, and in its original use designated a Persian religious caste, famous for their knowledge, wisdom, and purity of religious faith. They were attached to the court of the Babylonian monarchs, and were deemed to have great skill in astrology, in interpretation of dreams, and the like (see Daniel 1:20; Daniel 4:7; Daniel 4 in the LXX.). In Jeremiah 39:3, 13, the name Rab-mag seems to mean "the chief of the magi." But in process of time the word "magus" came to mean a sorcerer, a magician, a practicer of dark arts, as e.g. Simon Magus (see the chapter on magic in Pliny, 'Nat. Hist.,'lib. 30. cap. 1.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek They traveled throughΔιελθόντες(Dielthontes)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1330:To pass through, spread (as a report). From dia and erchomai; to traverse.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.wholeὅλην(holēn)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3650:All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.islandνῆσον(nēson)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3520:An island. Probably from the base of naus; an island.as far asἄχρι(achri)Preposition Strong's 891:As far as, up to, until, during. Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron; until or up to.Paphos,Πάφου(Paphou)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3974:Paphos, a city at the western end of Cyprus. Of uncertain derivation; Paphus, a place in Cyprus.[where] they foundεὗρον(heuron)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2147:A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.aτινὰ(tina)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.JewishἸουδαῖον(Ioudaion)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2453:Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.sorcererμάγον(magon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3097:A sorcerer, a magician, a wizard. Of foreign origin; a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication, a magician.[and] false prophetψευδοπροφήτην(pseudoprophētēn)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 5578:From pseudes and prophetes; a spurious prophet, i.e. Pretended foreteller or religious impostor.namedὄνομα(onoma)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3686:Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.Bar-Jesus,Βαριησοῦ(Bariēsou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 919:Of Chaldee origin; son of Jesus; Bar-jesus, an Israelite.
Links Acts 13:6 NIVActs 13:6 NLTActs 13:6 ESVActs 13:6 NASBActs 13:6 KJV
Acts 13:6 BibleApps.comActs 13:6 Biblia ParalelaActs 13:6 Chinese BibleActs 13:6 French BibleActs 13:6 Catholic Bible
NT Apostles: Acts 13:6 When they had gone through the island (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |