Jannes was one of the Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron at Pharaoh's court when they performed signs and wonders to convince Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go. He is mentioned by name in the New Testament by the apostle Paul as an example of resistance against the truth. Together with Jambres, he became a symbol of false wisdom and opposition to God's will.
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Opposition to Moses at Pharaoh's court
Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses and Aaron when they performed signs before Pharaoh. The Egyptian magicians tried to imitate God's miracles with their magic arts.
22But the Egyptian magicians did the same thing by their secret arts, and Pharaoh's heart grew hard. He would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
When Aaron threw his staff before Pharaoh and it turned into a snake, the Egyptian magicians, including Jannes, imitated this sign with their secret arts, but Aaron's staff swallowed theirs.
10So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent.
When Moses and Aaron struck the water of the Nile and it turned to blood, the Egyptian magicians managed to do the same with their arts, which hardened Pharaoh's heart.
20Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water in the river turned to blood.
22But the Egyptian magicians did the same thing by their secret arts, and Pharaoh's heart grew hard. He would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
When Moses and Aaron brought forth gnats from the dust of the earth, the magicians could not imitate this sign and had to admit that this was "the finger of God".
18But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.
The apostle Paul mentions Jannes and Jambres by name in his second letter to Timothy as examples of people who resisted the truth, with corrupted minds and counterfeit faith. He warns that such people will arise in the last days.