Paul Confronts Bar-Jesus on Cyprus

Paul and Barnabas (and John Mark) sail to Cyprus as the first stop of the first missionary journey, landing at Salamis and crossing the island to Paphos. The Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus calls them in to hear the message. A Jewish sorcerer named Bar-Jesus (also called Elymas) — embedded in Paulus's court — tries to block the conversation. Paul looks straight at him, calls him 'son of the devil,' and declares God will strike him blind for a season. He instantly loses his sight. The proconsul, watching this go down, believes — the first Roman official converted on a missionary journey. This is also the moment Saul starts going by 'Paul' in Luke's narrative.

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