“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.”
He was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence — the proconsul (anthypatos) represents Roman administrative authority and legitimate power. Sergius Paulus's intelligence (sunetos) suggests he seeks genuine understanding, making him spiritually sensitive despite his pagan station. Bar-Jesus's proximity to the proconsul indicates how sorcery positioned itself as a counselor to the powerful, offering mystical authority to political rulers.
Church Fathers on Acts 13:7
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: 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. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Acts 13:6-8 Again a Jew sorcerer, as was Simon. And observe this man, how,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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