Barjesus, also known as Elymas, was a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet who was staying with the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus on Cyprus. He tried to prevent the proconsul from believing, but he was struck blind by the apostle Paul through the power of the Holy Spirit. This event led Sergius Paulus to believe in the Lord.
Key events
Barjesus at the court of Proconsul Sergius Paulus
Barjesus, a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, was in the retinue of the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus on Cyprus when Paul and Barnabas arrived on the island during their first missionary journey.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul turned to Elymas and called him a son of the devil, full of all kinds of deceit and wickedness, an enemy of all righteousness who did not stop twisting the Lord's straight paths.
10and said, "You are full of every kind of deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all that is right! Will you never stop twisting the straight paths of the Lord?
Paul declared that the Lord's hand was upon Elymas, and that he would be blind and unable to see the sun for a time. Immediately darkness and gloom fell over him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
11Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you. You will be blind, unable to see the sun, for a time." Immediately a mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, looking for someone to lead him by the hand.