Les Feldick Bible Study

What was the name of the sorcerer at Paphos and who was the Roman governor he was with?

The sorcerer at Paphos was named Bar-Jesus. He was a false prophet and a Jew. He was with the Roman governor or deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus. Scripture presents this encounter as Paul began his missionary journey among the Gentiles.

Les explains that Acts 13:6 provides a brief preview related to Israel. Paul was beginning his missionary journey out among the Gentiles, and the church in Antioch was going to send him and Barnabas out. When they came to the island of Paphos, they ran across a sorcerer, a false prophet, but he was a Jew. Paphos was primarily Gentile and no doubt under Roman dominion. This sorcerer's name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the deputy or the governor of the country, who was a Roman, Sergius Paulus.

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:

Acts 13:7

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

More Questions

Why did the Roman deputy Sergius Paulus send for Paul and Barnabas?

The Roman deputy Sergius Paulus was a prudent man, no dummy, who summoned Paul and Barnabas because he had a spiritual interest and questions and wanted to hear the Word of God.