Note 1 at Acts 13:6: Paphos was opposite Salamis on the southwest coast of Cyprus, with a distance of approximately 100 miles between them. This city was the capital of the Roman province of Cyprus and the residence of Sergius Paulus, the Roman procouncil.

Note 2 at Acts 13:6: This Barjesus (meaning the son of Jesus or Joshua), who was also called Elymas (v. 8), was a sorcerer. This passage does not expound on exactly how he used sorcery, but it can be assumed that his practices were similar to those of Simon, in Acts 8:9-24.

Special mention is made of Elymas being with Sergius Paulus, which would imply that he used his sorcery to influence the Roman proconsul. This would explain why he tried to withstand Barnabas and Saul and turn Sergius Paulus away from the faith. He didn't want to loose his influential follower.