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Matthew Henry

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 19:20

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 19:20

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 19:20

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:1-20

The advance. The founding of a Church at Ephesus, the capital city of Proconsular Asia—a great center of Greek and Asiatic life, civil, religious, and commercial, the seat of the famous temple of Artemis, the place of concourse of all Ionia for its celebrated games—is one of those great epochs in the history of Christianity which arrest the attention and demand the consideration of the Christian reader. Not above two years (if so much) had elapsed since the Holy Ghost had expressly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:8-20

Work of Paul at Ephesus. Here we have the victory of the Divine Word over the power of falsehood and evil in the minds of men. Such episodes show on a small scale what the effect of the evangelical leaven is in the world on a large scale. I. THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL SEEN IN THE ACTIVITY OF PAUL . It becomes a two-edged sword in his hand against all the powers of darkness. Three months' continuous preaching of great evangelical truths may lay the foundation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:8-20

(or Acts 19:20 ) . Triumphs of the gospel at Ephesus. Asiatic character of the superstitions prevalent Dark. degraded mysterious Amulets and charms. Magical words. Exorcism. Not merely among the lower classes, but throughout the city. A dead man said to have spoken from the funeral pile. A wrestler with magic scroll round his body always victorious. Magic an elaborate, abstruse, difficult science, contained in learned books, studied for many years. Notice, therefore— I. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:18-20

The sign of sincerity. We are reminded by the text— I. THAT WHEN WE ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST WE YIELD OURSELVES TO HIM . To exercise a living faith in him is to take everything from him and to give everything to him; therefore to give ourselves to him and to his service. It is to recognize and respond to his supreme claims on heart and life. II. THAT TO GIVE OURSELVES TO CHRIST MEANS TO ABANDON ALL THAT IS HATEFUL TO HIM . HOW can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:18-20

Practical evidence of genuine repentance. The evidence which" many of them that believed" now came and gave, of the vitality of their faith and the reality of their repentance, was conclusive. And the very thought of it is refreshing as we read it. Here follow four grand evidences of a genuine "faith in Jesus" and "repentance from dead works." I. TO COME VOLUNTARILY AND CONFESS . II. TO DISCLOSE , AND TO DISCLOSE VOLUNTARILY , UNDER NO PRESSURE OF ... read more

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