top of page
LogoMarkBlueTransparent.png
BiblePassages-FULL_LOGO.png

Tombs, Magicians, and Preachers (Cyprus): BP Podcast S1E7

Cyprus was the first stop on Paul's First Missionary Journey — and home turf for Barnabas. Explore the island's strategic importance, the confrontation with Bar-Jesus, Sergius Paulus the proconsul, and what the Tombs of the Kings and Paul's Pillar at Paphos reveal about Acts 13.

Episode Summary

Brian and John explore the island of Cyprus — its geography, modern political division, its key role in Paul's First Missionary Journey (Acts 13), and what visitors can see at Paphos today.


Topics Covered

  • Cyprus: third-largest island in the Mediterranean; northeastern corner (south of Turkey, west of Israel)

  • Modern political division: 1974 Turkish military action; Republic of Cyprus (south, Greek-influenced) vs. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognized only by Turkey); UN buffer zone

  • Strategic military importance — US military presence in Cyprus; comparison to Guam, Taiwan, Crimea

  • Ancient trade value: mining (ore), pottery (Cypriote ware — key to dating Jericho's destruction; Kathleen Kenyon connection)

  • Connection to Barnabas: Acts 4 — Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus; home turf for the First Missionary Journey; Barnabas returned with John Mark after splitting from Paul; tradition (Acts of Barnabas, non-canonical) that Barnabas was martyred at Salamis

  • Paul's First Missionary Journey: Antioch of Syria → Seleucia → Salamis → Paphos (125 miles walk, ~4–5 days)

  • Sailing from Seleucia to Salamis — 130 miles, 3–4 days by ancient boat; hugging the coastline vs. open ocean

  • Acts 13 in Paphos: Sergius Paulus (proconsul, "a man of intelligence"), Bar-Jesus/Elymas (Jewish magician/false prophet), Paul strikes Elymas blind, Sergius Paulus believes

  • The Magi — Bar-Jesus called a magician; the word connected to Magi (wise men from the East); Jewish mysticism / Kabbalah

  • Why Sergius Paulus and Bar-Jesus were connected: speculations on money, influence, political Savvy

  • Cyprus as birthplace of Aphrodite (mythological) — pagan context of the island

  • Sergius Paulus inscriptions: multiple inscriptions with parts of the name found; proconsul title confirmed; John references a scholarly article connecting the dots

  • John Mark leaving the journey at Acts 13:13 — possible reasons: culture shock, danger, youth; Barnabas later mentoring him; Paul eventually reconciling ("he is profitable to me")

  • Sites at Paphos:

    • Tombs of the Kings — elaborate rock-cut tombs, likely wealthy families not kings; Greek columns; interconnected underground chambers; very physical to explore

    • Paul's Pillar — Roman archaeological site; tradition of Paul being beaten/scourged there; 2 Corinthians 11 recited at site; little to no archaeological evidence linking it to Paul specifically

    • House of Theseus (Governor's Palace) — 2nd century AD structure built on older administrative foundations; connection to Sergius Paulus's residence; Acts 13 may have occurred nearby

    • House of Dionysus — hundreds of feet of Roman mosaics; Dionysus depicted

    • Asklepion — ancient health spa/hospital; votive offerings in shapes of healed body parts

    • Odeon — small amphitheater

  • Bonhoeffer film recommendation — connections to speaking up under oppressive government


Scripture References

  • Acts 4:36–37 (Barnabas from Cyprus)

  • Acts 11:19–20 (Christians scattered to Cyprus)

  • Acts 13:1–13 (First Missionary Journey — Cyprus)

  • 2 Corinthians 11 (Paul's sufferings — recited at Paul's Pillar)

  • 2 Timothy 4:11 (John Mark is profitable to me)

bottom of page