St Paul in Cyprus

On the island of Cyprus, in the town of Paphos, Paul encountered a magician with the unlikely name of Bar-Jesus. Acts 13:6 labels the man Jewish false prophet. He was employed by the Roman official who governed the island, Sergius Paulus,

whom Luke describes as man of intelligence. Sergius invited Paul and Barnabas to explain why they had come to Cyprus and what they were teaching

in the local synagogue. Bar-Jesus, as house philosopher and personal chaplain to the proconsul, opposed the two missionaries, apparently fearful that Sergius might be persuaded by the gospel and he (Bar-Jesus) might lose his job. Paul confronted Bar-Jesus, called him "son of the devil, enemy of all that is right," and cursed him with blindness. Seeing what had happened to his magician, Sergius Paulus was moved to accept Paul teaching and he became a believer.