Acts 19:15
Eventually, one of the evil spirits answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"
Eventually, one of the evil spirits answered them
The phrase "Eventually, one of the evil spirits answered them" sets the stage for a dramatic encounter. The Greek word for "evil spirits" is "pneumata ponēra," which refers to malevolent spiritual beings opposed to God. In the historical context of Acts, Ephesus was a city steeped in magic and the occult, making it a fertile ground for spiritual warfare. The evil spirit's ability to speak indicates a recognition of authority and power in the spiritual realm, underscoring the reality of spiritual battles faced by early Christians.

Jesus I know
The evil spirit's declaration, "Jesus I know," uses the Greek word "ginōskō," which implies a deep, experiential knowledge. This acknowledgment of Jesus' authority by the spirit world is significant, as it affirms the supremacy of Christ even among His adversaries. Historically, Jesus' ministry was marked by numerous encounters with demonic forces, all of which He overcame, demonstrating His divine authority and power.

and I know about Paul
The phrase "and I know about Paul" uses the Greek word "epistamai," suggesting an awareness or understanding of Paul's influence and authority. This recognition by the evil spirit highlights Paul's reputation as a formidable servant of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the broader scriptural context, Paul's missionary journeys and his role in spreading the Gospel were well-known, even in the spiritual realm, illustrating the impact of a life dedicated to Christ.

but who are you?
The question "but who are you?" is a stark challenge to the sons of Sceva, who attempted to invoke the name of Jesus without a genuine relationship with Him. This phrase underscores the importance of authentic faith and authority in Christ. The evil spirit's question reveals the futility of using Jesus' name as a mere formula or incantation without true belief and submission to His lordship. It serves as a cautionary reminder that spiritual authority is not derived from ritualistic practices but from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Evil Spirit
A demonic entity that recognizes the authority of Jesus and Paul but questions the authority of the sons of Sceva.

2. Jesus
The Son of God, whose name holds power and authority over evil spirits.

3. Paul
An apostle of Jesus Christ, known for his missionary journeys and powerful ministry, recognized by the evil spirit.

4. Sons of Sceva
Jewish exorcists attempting to invoke the name of Jesus without a personal relationship or authority, leading to their failure.

5. Ephesus
A significant city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple to Artemis and a center for magical practices.
Teaching Points
Authority in Christ
True spiritual authority comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Without this relationship, invoking His name is ineffective.

Recognizing Spiritual Realities
The spiritual realm recognizes genuine authority. Believers must be aware of the reality of spiritual warfare and the power of Jesus' name.

The Danger of Presumption
Presuming authority without a relationship with Christ can lead to spiritual defeat and danger, as seen with the sons of Sceva.

The Power of Jesus' Name
The name of Jesus is powerful and effective when used by those who are His true followers, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience.

Witnessing to the World
The incident in Ephesus led to the spread of the Gospel and the fear of the Lord, showing how God can use even failures to advance His kingdom.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the response of the evil spirit in Acts 19:15 reveal about the spiritual authority of Jesus and Paul?

2. How can believers ensure they are exercising true spiritual authority in their lives today?

3. In what ways does the account of the sons of Sceva serve as a warning against using Jesus' name without a genuine relationship with Him?

4. How does the recognition of Jesus' authority by evil spirits in other parts of the Bible reinforce the message of Acts 19:15?

5. What practical steps can we take to deepen our relationship with Christ and ensure we are living under His authority?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Mark 1:24
Demonstrates the recognition of Jesus' authority by evil spirits, similar to the acknowledgment in Acts 19:15.

James 2:19
Highlights that even demons believe in God and shudder, emphasizing the need for genuine faith and authority.

Matthew 7:22-23
Warns against using Jesus' name without a true relationship, paralleling the sons of Sceva's experience.

Luke 10:17-20
Jesus gives His disciples authority over demons, contrasting with the sons of Sceva's lack of authority.

Acts 16:16-18
Paul casts out a spirit in Philippi, showing the effective use of Jesus' name by someone with true authority.
A Devil's ConfessionJ. W. Burn.Acts 19:15
A Devil's Estimate of CharacterJ. A. Macdonald.Acts 19:15
Would-Be ExorcistsAlexander MaclarenActs 19:15
Apollos Completed by PaulJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 19:1-23
Paul At EphesusJ. Bennett, D. D.Acts 19:1-23
Paul At EphesusA. Barnes, D. D.Acts 19:1-23
Paul At EphesusDean Vaughan.Acts 19:1-23
Paul At EphesusR. A. Bertram.Acts 19:1-23
Paul At EphesusW. M. Taylor, D. D.Acts 19:1-23
Paul's Mission Divinely DirectedW. Arnot, D. D.Acts 19:1-23
The Best Method of Evangelising a CityD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 19:1-23
The Word and the WorldF. W. Robertson, M. A.Acts 19:1-23
The Spiritual, the Supernatural, and the NaturalW. Clarkson Acts 19:8-17
Triumphs of the Gospel At EphesusR.A. Redford Acts 19:8-20
Work of Paul At EphesusE. Johnson Acts 19:8-20
Paul's Ministry At EphesusActs 19:8-22
Paul's Ministry At EphesusA. F. Schauffler.Acts 19:8-22
Paul's Preaching At EphesusProf. Eadie.Acts 19:8-22
Demoniacal PossessionR. W. Hamilton, D. D.Acts 19:13-16
Evil Spirits in the HeartBp. S. Wilberforce.Acts 19:13-16
Religion Used by Those Who Do not Believe in ItH. Osborne.Acts 19:13-16
Seven Sons of ScevaJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 19:13-16
The Seven Sons of Sceva -- Spurious ChristianityD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 19:13-16
Unreal ReligionBp. S. Wilberforce.Acts 19:13-16
The Prompt Exposure and Punishment of Human Iniquity by an Evil SpiritP.C. Barker Acts 19:13-17
People
Alexander, Apollos, Aristarchus, Demetrius, Diana, Ephesians, Erastus, Gaius, John, Jupiter, Macedonians, Paul, Sceva, Timotheus, Timothy, Tyrannus
Places
Achaia, Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Macedonia, Rome
Topics
Acquainted, Answering, Evil, Paul, Recognize, Spirit, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 19:12-16

     4135   demons, Christ's authority over

Acts 19:13-16

     4133   demons, possession by
     8786   opposition, to sin and evil
     8831   syncretism

Acts 19:13-17

     8444   honouring God

Library
Would-Be Exorcists
'...Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?' --ACTS xix. 15. These exorcists had no personal union with Jesus. To them He was only 'Jesus whom Paul preached.' They spoke His name tentatively, as an experiment, and imitatively. To command 'in the name of Jesus' was an appeal to Jesus to glorify His name and exert His power, and so when the speaker had no real faith in the name or the power, there was no answer, because there was really no appeal. I. The only power which can cast out the evil
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Two Fruitful Years
'And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples. 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Fight with Wild Beasts at Ephesus
'After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Whitsunday.
Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? It appears, by what follows these words, that the question here related especially to those gifts of the Holy Ghost which were given, in the first age of the church, as a sign of God's power, and a witness that the work of the gospel was from God. Yet although this be so, and therefore the words, in this particular sense, cannot to any good purpose be asked now; yet there is another sense, and that not a lower but a far higher one, in which we
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity.
THE investigation of that important and extensive subject which includes what have been usually designated as The Evidences of Revelation,' has prescriptively occupied a considerable space in the field of theological literature, especially as cultivated in England. There is scarcely one, perhaps, of our more eminent divines who has not in a greater or less degree distinguished himself in this department, and scarcely an aspirant for theological distinction who has not thought it one of the surest
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
On this third journey he was already planning to go to Rome (Acts 19:21) and wrote an epistle to the Romans announcing his coming (Rom. 1:7, 15). +The Chief City+, in which Paul spent most of his time (Acts 19:1, 8, 10), between two and three years upon this journey, was Ephesus in Asia Minor. This city situated midway between the extreme points of his former missionary journeys was a place where Ephesus has been thus described: "It had been one of the early Greek colonies, later the capital
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Pastoral Epistles.
Comp. § 33, pp. 327-329. Contents. The three Pastoral Epistles, two to Timothy and one to Titus, form a group by themselves, and represent the last stage of the apostle's life and labors, with his parting counsels to his beloved disciples and fellow-workers. They show us the transition of the apostolic church from primitive simplicity to a more definite system of doctrine and form of government. This is just what we might expect from the probable time of their composition after the first Roman
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Whether Baptism May be Reiterated?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism may be reiterated. For Baptism was instituted, seemingly, in order to wash away sins. But sins are reiterated. Therefore much more should Baptism be reiterated: because Christ's mercy surpasses man's guilt. Objection 2: Further, John the Baptist received special commendation from Christ, Who said of him (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women, a greater than John the Baptist." But those whom John had baptized were baptized again, according
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
Work on in hope; the plough, the sickle wield; Thy Master is the harvest's Master too; He gives the golden seed, He owns the field, And does Himself what His true servants do. I take up again the all-important subject of Pastoral Visitation, for the same sort of informal and fragmentary treatment as that attempted in the last chapter, and with the same feeling that the subject is practically inexhaustible. LET THE VISITOR BE A TEACHER, WATCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES. One object which the visitor will
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christ's Exaltation
'Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, &c.' Phil 2:2. We have before spoken of Christ's humiliation; we shall now speak of his exaltation. Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse, and shining in its full glory. Wherefore God has highly exalted him;' super exaltavit, Ambrose. Above all exaltation.' Q-28: WHEREIN CONSISTS CHRIST'S EXALTATION? A: In his rising from the dead, his ascending into
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Old Faiths and the New
SECOND GROUP OF EPISTLES GALATIANS. FIRST AND SECOND CORINTHIANS. ROMANS. PROBLEMS OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY The new faith in Christ made large claims for itself. It marked an advance upon Judaism and maintained that in Christ was fulfilled all the promises made by the prophets of the coming of the Jewish Messiah. It radically antagonized the heathen religions. It had a double task to win men out of Judaism and heathenism. Only by a careful study of these great doctrinal Epistles, and the
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Supremacy of Christ
THIRD GROUP OF EPISTLES COLOSSIANS. PHILEMON. EPHESIANS. PHILIPPIANS. THE QUESTION AT ISSUE +The Supremacy of Christ.+--These Epistles mark a new stage in the writings of Paul. The great question discussed in the second group of Epistles was in regard to the terms of salvation. The question now at issue (in Colossians, Ephesians, Philippian+The Reason for the Raising of this Question+ was the development of certain false religious beliefs among which were, "asceticism, the worship of angels,
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
(LUKE I. 17.) "Oh, may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence: live In pulses stirred to generosity; In deeds of daring rectitude; in scorn For miserable aims that end with self; In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge man's search To vaster issues." The Old Covenant and the New--Elijah and the Baptist--A Parallel--The Servant inferior to the Lord--The Baptism of the Holy Ghost--The
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Baptism unto Repentance
(MARK I. 4.) "The last and greatest herald of heaven's King, Girt with rough skins, hies to the desert wild; Among that savage brood the woods doth bring, Which he more harmless found than man, and mild. "His food was locusts and what there doth spring, With honey that from virgin hives distill'd, Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing Made him appear, long since from earth exiled." W. DRUMMOND, of Hawthornden. Repentance: its Nature--Repentance: how Produced--Repentance: its Evidences--Repentance:
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Elucidation.
The argument (p. 673, note 6,) is conclusive, but not clear. The disciples of John must have been baptized by him, (Luke vii. 29-30) and "all the people," must have included those whom Jesus called. But, this was not Christ's baptism: See Acts xix. 2, 5. Compare note 8, p. 673. And see the American Editor's "Apollos."
Tertullian—On Baptism

Whether those who had Been Baptized with John's Baptism had to be Baptized with the Baptism of Christ?
Objection 1: It would seem that those who had been baptized with John's baptism had not to be baptized with the baptism of Christ. For John was not less than the apostles, since of him is it written (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist." But those who were baptized by the apostles were not baptized again, but only received the imposition of hands; for it is written (Acts 8:16,17) that some were "only baptized" by Philip "in the name
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Wicked Can Work Miracles?
Objection 1: It would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. For miracles are wrought through prayer, as stated above (A[1], ad 1). Now the prayer of a sinner is not granted, according to Jn. 9:31, "We know that God doth not hear sinners," and Prov. 28:9, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination." Therefore it would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. Objection 2: Further, miracles are ascribed to faith, according to Mat. 17:19, "If you have
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

How Long Between?
It is often asked what time must elapse between the regenerating by the Spirit and the filling with the Spirit? for be it remembered the Filling is as real and distinct and definite a blessing as the regenerating. Many people know the moment of their new birth; they were conscious of the change; so also many know when they were "filled with the Holy Ghost;" it was a blessed, bright, conscious experience, and it is as impossible to argue them out of the one experience as out of the other. On the other
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
1. OLD TESTAMENT. 2. NEW TESTAMENT. 3. THE CHURCH; CHRISTENDOM; KINGDOM. II. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH. 1. IN PROPHECY AND PROMISE. 2. HISTORICALLY FOUNDED. III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. Conditions of Entrance; Characteristics. 1. REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM. 2. FAITH IN THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. REGENERATION. 4. PUBLIC CONFESSION OF CHRIST--BAPTISM. 5. ADHERENCE TO THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE. 6. CHARACTERISTICS. IV. FIGURES UNDER WHICH THE CHURCH IS PRESENTED. 1. THE BODY OF CHRIST. 2. THE TEMPLE OF
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
"In this rejoice not, that the Spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your Names are written in Heaven." Abundant notice of Christ's coming preceded that interesting' event. "To him gave all the prophets witness." Neither was his entrance here unattended. It was announced by an angelic choir; by a miraculous star; and by a band of eastern magi. The manger which contained him, was particularly pointed out to the shepherds, and his person designated by inspired Simon and Anna. Again,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Preventive against Backsliding.
It is most instructive to note how exceedingly anxious the early Christians were, that, as soon as a man was converted, he should be "filled with the Holy Ghost." They knew no reason why weary wastes of disappointing years should stretch between Bethel and Peniel, between the Cross and Pentecost. They knew it was not God's will that forty years of wilderness wanderings should lie between Egypt and the Promised Land (Deut. i. 2). When Peter and John came to the Samaritans, and found that they were
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

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