Acts 13:7

"Who was with" This false prophet had attached himself to. local Roman official. Since Bar-Jesus was Jewish, the proconsul may have assumed that he was. true prophet of Jehovah. Like many false prophets, Bar-Jesus coveted positions of influence and power. "The proconsul" "The island of Cyprus swung back and forth between government by proconsul and government by. governor" (Reese p. 462). Coins have been discovered dated from this time period which confirm that Luke is accurate. At this date, Cyprus was ruled by. proconsul. "Sergis Paulus" Luke will describe him as. man of intelligence. His intelligence and honesty will be revealed by wanting to hear the gospel and by immediately believing when he is given clear evidence. Yes, men of intelligence may have around them swindlers like Bar-Jesus, but eventually such men see through them when the truth is presented. "Paulus showed some sense in trusting. so-called prophet of that nation (the Jewish nation), rather than of some pagan nation" (McGarvey p. 8). "Summon Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of the Lord" The verb "sought" means in the classical Greek, "to put questions to" someone. This man wanted to hear God's word!