Acts 19:13-20 Evil spirits, exorcism, and book burnings
Verse 13: These unusual “goings-on” encouraged certain Jews to try to take up the business of exorcism in “the name of the Lord Jesus.” The men are described as (1) vagabond Jews, and (2) exorcists. They were already “exorcists” practicing their incantations. Now, seeing the power of God wrought through Paul, they imagine they can tap in to that power. “Adjure” means to command, especially under oath. They adjured or commanded the evil spirits to depart in the name of Jesus, adding “whom Paul preacheth.” They act presumptuously, without authority. They were willing to try any possible method to ply their trade.
- vagabond, traveling from place to place, περιερχομενων
- exorcists, those who expel or pretend to expel
devils, εξορκιστων
Verse 14: “And there were seven sons of one Sceva…which did so” – as placed in these two sentences, suggests that these may not have been the only ones who acted in this rash manner. Acts records one representative incident of what can happen to those who illicitly undertake to redelegate the power of God.
Sceva, the
father, was not only a Jew, but also a priest. “chief of the priests” does not mean
he was the high priest, but most likely that he was or had been head of one of
the twenty-four divisions of priests. See I Chronicles 24:7-19.[i]
Verses
15-16: Seven stupid scoundrels are in for the surprise of their lives. Not only
did the evil spirit not depart from the man they possessed; he spoke boldly to
them, challenging their authority. He knew Jesus, and he knew Paul (indicating
he recognized Paul’s authority to speak for Jesus) – “but who are ye?” Now the evil
spirit has their attention! And men possessed of devils are also possessed of ferocity
and great physical strength. See Mark 5:3-4; Luke 8:29. The one possessed man
leaped on the seven quack exorcists, leaving them bruised and bloody (“wounded”).
They bolted the house, leaving behind their profession, their dignity, and
their clothes!
Verse 17:
The event, as well as the contrast between the authority of Paul and these
exorcists became known to the Jews and Greeks dwelling at Ephesus. The effect
was a fear that “fell on them all” – a reverential fear of the power and authority
of God, in general and over evil spirits in particular. Because of all this “the
name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.” Contrast “name” here with “name” in
verse 13.
Verses 18-19:
When the name of Jesus was magnified people believed and were saved. “shewed
their deeds” at least in the case of those who embraced magical and superstitious
practices, probably includes revealing the secrets of their “curious arts” (περιεργα
πραξαντων). The removal of secrecy destroys the secret’s hold.
- A Christian response. “many that believed
came, and confessed” They did not reform and then become Christians. They
became Christians and then reformed, under the power of the word and the
Spirit.
- A voluntary undertaking. “brought their
books” The Christians openly confessed, then brought their books; they
were not seized by church authorities.
- A settled conviction. “burned them” They
are convinced of what is truth and what is false, and make a distinct and
final separation between the two.
- A public statement. “before all men” In a public
manner and open testimony, they signal to all men their determined change
of faith and practice.
- A sincere renunciation. “the price of them”
Sincerity is seen in what it cost them. The worth of these books added up
to fifty thousand pieces of silver.[ii] The counted as
financial loss what had been a gain to them.
The Ephesian example instructs us to “be ye separate,” for there is no fellowship of righteousness with unrighteousness and no communion of light with darkness. William J. Larkin warns:
“Today the temptation is still present to
syncretize a newfound faith with pre-Christian ways of using ‘power’ to cope
with life…those who live under Jesus’ lordship must sooner or later come to
terms with any compromise in these matters and follow the Ephesian Christians’
example of making a clean break with their ‘power’ past.”[iii]
[ii] Various guesses of today’s worth, however accurate, range from an estimated 100,000 thousand to several million dollars (in modern U.S. currency). Regardless, it was a lot of money. The books were a valuable commodity, whose loss was a financial sacrifice for the cause of truth.
[iii] William J. Larkin, Jr., Acts, InterVarsity Press, 1995, p. 278.
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