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 Bar-jesus:
Original Language Analysis
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μάγον
sorcerer
G3097
μάγον
sorcerer
Strong's:
G3097
Word #:
9 of 14
a magian (magi), i.e., oriental scientist; by implication, a magician
ψευδοπροφήτην
a false prophet
G5578
ψευδοπροφήτην
a false prophet
Strong's:
G5578
Word #:
10 of 14
a spurious prophet, i.e., pretended foreteller or religious impostor
ᾧ
whose
G3739
ᾧ
whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 14
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.1 John 4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.Mark 10:46And 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.Exodus 22:18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.Zechariah 13:3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.Matthew 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Matthew 16:17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.2 Corinthians 11:13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
Historical Context
First-century Cyprus was dominated by the cult of Aphrodite centered in Paphos. Jewish magicians were common throughout the Roman Empire, blending Torah knowledge with Hellenistic occultism. Sergius Paulus (v. 7) as proconsul represented Roman governance of the senatorial province.
Questions for Reflection
- How does religious pedigree (being Jewish) fail to protect against deception when divorced from genuine faith?
- What modern equivalents of Bar-jesus—religious practitioners using spiritual language for personal power—threaten gospel witness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus (μάγον ψευδοπροφήτην Ἰουδαῖον ᾧ ὄνομα Βαριησοῦ, magon pseudoprophētēn Ioudaion hō onoma Bariēsou)—Bar-jesus ('son of Jesus/Joshua') ironically bears a messianic name while opposing the true Jesus. Luke's triple description (μάγον, sorcerer; ψευδοπροφήτην, false prophet; Ἰουδαῖον, Jew) emphasizes the tragedy: a covenant member trading divine revelation for occult power. Paphos, Cyprus's western capital, was notorious for immorality and superstition.
The conjunction of Jewish identity with sorcery recalls Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-24) and anticipates the sons of Sceva (19:13-16). Satan's strategy consistently infiltrates religious leadership to block gospel advance.