Elymas (; ;Acts 13 ), also known as Bar-Jesus (, , ), is a figure described in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 13, where he is referred to as a mágos (μάγος), which the King James Bible translates as "sorcerer" and false prophet (ψευδοπροφήτης).
In the Bible In Acts 13, Paul the Apostle and Barnabas travel to the city of Paphos in Cyprus, where the Roman Proconsul, Sergius Paulus, wishes to hear them speak about Jesus. Elymas, described as a false prophet and a sorcerer, opposes them, whereupon Paul (who is referred to for the first time by his Roman name) announces that God intends to make Elymas temporarily blind. A cloud of darkness immediately begins blocking his sight;"Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand"; after this, Sergius Paulus is converted to Christianity."When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord";
According to The Golden Legend, Elymas later stirred up a riot of Jews and pagans in Salamina (Salamis) against Barnabas, resulting in his death.
Name Acts 13:8 says, "Elymas the mágos (for so his name is translated) opposed them". "Elymas" is possibly derived from the Arabic ‘alīm "learned" or "wise", and may be used to translate mágos.Ernest Haenchen, The Acts of the Apostles: A Commentary, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1971, pg. 398; Bar-Jesus means "Son of Joshua" or "Son of Jesus" in Aramaic.
Cultural influence "Elymas the Sorcerer Struck with Blindness" is the title of a famous cartoon by Raphael, which served as the inspiration for woven tapestries in the Vatican.
See also Apollonius of Tyana John the Baptist Simon Magus
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