Renouncing curious arts

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.[1]

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. They made no provision for a return to them.
• 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.[2] They 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.”[3]

Verse 20: A summary statement; compare Acts 12:24. This mighty Christian commitment was followed mighty growth of the word of God. “So” in this manner, by salvation and sanctification, “grew the word of God,” the cycle repeating, and “prevailed” (ισχυεν cf. v. 16). The church at Ephesus was “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone,” and “all the building fitly framed together [grew] unto an holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

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[1] Additionally, this far from Jerusalem, perhaps he operated in some unauthorized priestly fashion.
[2] 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.
[3] William J. Larkin, Jr., Acts, InterVarsity Press, 1995, p. 278.