Acts 13:6

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name [was] Barjesus:

And {G1161} when they had gone through {G1330} the isle {G3520} unto {G891} Paphos {G3974}, they found {G2147} a certain {G5100} sorcerer {G3097}, a false prophet {G5578}, a Jew {G2453}, whose {G3739} name {G3686} was Barjesus {G919}:

and thus they made their way throughout the whole island.

They ended up in Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and pseudo-prophet named Bar-Yeshua.

They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,

And 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;

Commentary

Acts 13:6 introduces a significant encounter during the Apostle Paul’s (then Saul's) first missionary journey, highlighting the spiritual opposition faced by the early church as it spread the Gospel.

Context

This verse finds Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark on the island of Cyprus, the first major stop on their mission trip commissioned by the Holy Spirit (see Acts 13:2). Having traversed the island from east to west, they arrive in Paphos, the Roman capital of Cyprus. Paphos was a hub of Roman administration and pagan worship, making it a strategic yet challenging place for evangelism. It is here that they encounter a specific individual who embodies the spiritual darkness prevalent in the region.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Opposition: The immediate appearance of a "sorcerer" and "false prophet" underscores the reality of spiritual warfare that accompanies the proclamation of God's truth. This individual, Barjesus, actively sought to hinder the spread of the Gospel, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation.
  • Deception and Falsehood: Barjesus is explicitly called a "false prophet," indicating he claimed divine inspiration but was a purveyor of lies and and occult practices. His Jewish background makes this even more striking, demonstrating that spiritual deception can infiltrate even those with a heritage of truth.
  • The Nature of Falsehood: The Greek word for sorcerer, magos (μάγος), refers to a magician or practitioner of occult arts. In this context, it denotes someone engaged in practices contrary to God's will, often for personal gain or influence. His name, Barjesus (meaning "son of Jesus" or "son of Joshua"), stands in stark irony to his true character and work, which was to lead people away from the true Son of God.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sorcerer" is translated from the Greek word magos (μάγος). While it could sometimes refer to wise men (like those who visited Jesus in Matthew 2:1), in Acts, especially when paired with "false prophet," it consistently denotes someone practicing magic or occult arts with deceptive intent. This highlights the contrast between divine power and human manipulation.

Practical Application

Acts 13:6 serves as a reminder that the spread of the Gospel often meets direct opposition from forces of spiritual darkness. Believers today can expect to encounter various forms of "sorcery" or "false prophecy" – whether through overt occult practices, deceptive ideologies, or misleading spiritual teachings. This verse encourages believers to discern truth from error (1 John 4:1) and to stand firm in the power of God, knowing that Christ has delivered us from the power of darkness. The confrontation with Barjesus, detailed in subsequent verses, demonstrates God's victory over such opposition.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 7:15 (7 votes)

    Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

  • 1 John 4:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:13 (4 votes)

    For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

  • Deuteronomy 13:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

  • Deuteronomy 13:3 (3 votes)

    Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

  • 2 Peter 2:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

  • 2 Peter 2:3 (3 votes)

    ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.