Acts 19:18-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 19:13-20

The preachers of the gospel were sent forth to carry on a war against Satan, and therein Christ went forth conquering and to conquer. The casting of evil spirits out of those that were possessed was one instance of Christ's victory over Satan; but, to show in how many ways Christ triumphed over that great enemy, we have here in these verses two remarkable instances of the conquest of Satan, not only in those that were violently possessed by him, but in those that were voluntarily devoted to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 19:13-20

19:13-20 Some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists tried naming the name of Jesus over those who had evil spirits. They said, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." There were seven sons of a certain Scaeva, a Jewish chief priest. who did this. The evil spirit answered them. "Jesus I know and Paul I understand, but who are you?" And the man, in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them and mastered them all and overpowered them so that they fled naked and battered from that house. This... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:18

And many that believed ,.... In Jesus Christ, whose name was spoken of with great respect, and which spread fear in every person: came ; to the apostle: and confessed ; their sins; and acknowledged what a wicked life they had led: and showed their deeds ; their former evil deeds, which they had been guilty of; one copy reads, "their sins"; see Matthew 3:6 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:19

Many also of them which used curious arts ..... Magic arts, soothsaying, necromancy, conjuration, and the like, being convinced of the folly and wickedness of them: brought their books together ; by which they had learned these arts; Ephesus was famous for this sort of learning; here Apollonius Tyaneus, in the beginning of Nero's reign, opened a school and taught magic, and such like things: frequent mention is made of the Ephesian letters, which were no other than enchantments; and even... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:20

So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed. Over conjuring books, conjurers themselves, yea, even the devils; the power of God going along with it, many were converted; which is meant by the increase of it, and were delivered from the power of darkness, out of the hands of Satan, and translated into the kingdom of Christ. Beza's ancient copy reads, the "faith" of God; and the Syriac version, "faith in God". read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:19

Which used curious arts - Τα περιεργα . From the use of this word in the Greek writers, we know that it signified magical arts, sorceries, incantations, etc. Ephesus abounded with these. Dio Cassius, speaking of the Emperor Adrian, says, Ὁ Αδριανος περιεργοτατος ην και μαντειαις και μαγγανειαις παντοδαπαις εχρητο . "Adrian was exceedingly addicted to curious arts, and practised divination and magic." These practices prevailed in all nations of the earth. Brought their books together... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:20

So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed - The Codex Bezae reads this verse thus: "So mightily grew the word of the Lord, and prevailed; and the faith of God increased and multiplied." It is probable that it was about this time that St. Paul had that conflict which he mentions, 1 Corinthians 15:32 ; : If I after the manner of men, have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, etc. See the note there. It means some severe trials not here mentioned, unless we may suppose him to refer to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:18

Verse 18− 18.Many which believed. Luke bringeth forth one token of that fear whereof he spake. For they did indeed declare that they were thoroughly touched and moved with the fear of God, who, of their own accord, did confess the faults and offenses of their former life, lest, through their dissimulation, they should nourish the wrath of God within. We know what a hard matter it is to wring true confession out of those who have offended, for seeing men count nothing more precious than their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:19

Verse 19− 19.Who used curious crafts. Luke doth not only speak of magical jugglings, but of frivolous and vain studies, whereof the more part of men is for the most part too desirous. For he useth the word, περιεργα, under which the Grecians comprehend whatsoever things have in themselves no sound commodity, but lead men’s minds and studies through diverse crooks unprofitably. Such is judicial astrology, as they call it, and whatsoever divinations men − (378) invent to themselves against the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:20

Verse 20− 20.Grew mightily [ lions. ] The word κατα κρατος doth signify that the word increased not a little, (or that these proceedings were not common) as if he should say, that in those increasings appeared rare efficacy, and such as was greater than it used commonly to be. The word grew do I refer unto the number of men, as if he should have said, that the Church was increased, new disciples being gathered together dally, because doctrine is spread abroad. And I interpret that, that the... read more

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