Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
These exorcists weren't actually calling on Jesus from a place of faith; they were treating His name like a magic word, a formula they'd heard Paul use, hoping it would work for them too. They’re essentially saying, "We'll try this 'Jesus' thing Paul talks about and see if it’s potent enough to force these spirits out."
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul and his companions had been powerfully ministering in Ephesus for some time, leading many to faith and demonstrating God's power through miraculous signs. This success caught the attention of some traveling Jewish exorcists, who made a living by performing what they claimed were spiritual healings and expulsions of demons. Seeing the effectiveness of Paul's ministry, they decided to try using the name of Jesus themselves as a formula to command evil spirits, hoping to replicate his results for their own gain.
Imagine hearing about a powerful new name that could supposedly control unseen forces. Would you try it, even if you didn't fully understand it?
These Jewish exorcists were part of a group who practiced their craft as a profession, wandering from town to town. They were like spiritual entrepreneurs, always looking for an edge.
They saw Paul's success and heard about the power behind the name of Jesus. For them, Jesus' name wasn't a confession of faith or a plea for divine intervention; it was another formula, another spell to add to their repertoire. They believed that just saying the name, like a magical incantation, would force the evil spirits to obey. It was a dangerous assumption, treating a sacred name as a mere tool for personal gain.
Have you ever tried to copy someone's success without understanding their methods or principles? It usually doesn't end well.
These men weren't just dabbling; they were actively trying to replicate Paul's ministry, but they were missing the essential ingredient: faith. They were 'vagabond' or 'strolling' Jews, meaning they were rootless, moving from place to place, making a living by their alleged supernatural abilities.
Their attempt was a shallow imitation. They heard about Jesus, they saw the results, and they thought, 'We can do that too!' But they lacked a genuine connection to Jesus and a reliance on the Holy Spirit. It was like trying to start a car by just turning the key without understanding the engine or having fuel. Their actions were ultimately a mockery of the divine power they were trying to exploit.
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Understand the original words
exorkistēs · Greek Noun
Refers to the act of casting out demonic powers through a higher spiritual authority. In a biblical context, true exorcism is grounded in the authority of the name of Jesus.
eponomazō/horkizō · Greek Verb
To call upon, appeal to, or demand by the authority of someone else. In a religious context, it implies summoning power through a specific name or title.
onoma tou Kyriou Iēsou · Greek Noun
The name of Jesus represents His entire person, authority, and saving power. To act in His name is to act under His delegated mandate and divine power.
These Jewish exorcists, accustomed to using traditional names and formulas for their craft, saw Jesus' name as just another potent spell. Their attempt to leverage Jesus' power without genuine faith highlights the stark contrast between true spiritual authority and superstitious imitation.
c. 40s AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys Begin
The Apostle Paul embarks on his extensive missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, spreading the Christian message and performing miracles in Jesus' name.
c. 50-52 AD
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
Paul spends over two years in Ephesus, a major Roman city and center of pagan worship, where his ministry is highly successful, including numerous healings and exorcisms.
c. 52 AD— this verse
Jewish Exorcists Observe Paul's Power
Certain Jewish exorcists, who traveled from place to place practicing their craft, witness the powerful effects of Paul's ministry and his use of the name of Jesus.
c. 52 AD
Sceva's Sons Attempt to Exorcise
Seven sons of a Jewish chief priest named Sceva attempt to cast out an evil spirit using the formula 'Jesus whom Paul proclaims,' but are violently attacked by the demon.
c. 52 AD
Ephesian Believers Burn Occult Books
Following the dramatic events, many Ephesians who had practiced magic confess their faith, and the value of their occult books, estimated at 50,000 pieces of silver, is burned publicly.
This passage shows Jesus addressing the accusation that he casts out demons by Beelzebul, by asking who his accusers' sons cast them out through. This highlights the existing practice of exorcism, even among those who opposed Jesus.
Luke 9:49John's report of someone casting out demons in Jesus' name, whom they tried to stop because he wasn't one of their group, shows a similar instance of individuals attempting to use Jesus' name for exorcism without being fully part of the disciples' inner circle.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12This passage warns against practices like sorcery and divination, which these Jewish exorcists were engaging in. It establishes the biblical prohibition against the very kind of 'magic' they were attempting to wield, even when using a holy name.
1 Samuel 28:7-14The story of Saul consulting the witch of Endor demonstrates the dangerous and illicit nature of seeking supernatural power through forbidden means, paralleling the exorcists' attempt to manipulate spiritual forces without true authority.
ellicottActs 19:13: "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth."
(13) Certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists. —The men belonged to a lower section of the class of which we have already seen representatives in Simon of Samaria or Elymas of Cyprus. (See Notes on Acts 8:9 ; Acts 13:6 .) They practised exorcisms as a profession, and went from city to city, pretending w…
pooleActs 19:13: "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth."
Vagabond Jews; who wandered up and down, making it their trade and livelihood; as jugglers amongst us. Exorcists; so called from their obtesting the evil spirits in the name of God. Of these Josephus tells strange stories, Antiq. lib. 8, and thinks that the way of their exorcising was derived unto them…
These exorcists weren't actually calling on Jesus from a place of faith; they were treating His name like a magic word, a formula they'd heard Paul use, hoping it would work for them too. They’re essentially saying, "We'll try this 'Jesus' thing Paul talks about and see if it’s potent enough to force these spirits out."
Paul and his companions had been powerfully ministering in Ephesus for some time, leading many to faith and demonstrating God's power through miraculous signs. This success caught the attention of some traveling Jewish exorcists, who made a living by performing what they claimed were spiritual healings and expulsions of demons. Seeing the effectiveness of Paul's ministry, they decided to try using the name of Jesus themselves as a formula to command evil spirits, hoping to replicate his results for their own gain.
Paul and his companions had been powerfully ministering in Ephesus for some time, leading many to faith and demonstrating God's power through miraculous signs. This success caught the attention of some traveling Jewish exorcists, who made a living by performing what they claimed were spiritual healings and expulsions of demons. Seeing the effectiveness of Paul's ministry, they decided to try using the name of Jesus themselves as a formula to command evil spirits, hoping to replicate his results for their own gain.
"Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”" — These exorcists weren't actually calling on Jesus from a place of faith; they were treating His name like a magic word, a formula they'd heard Paul use, hoping it would work for them too. They’re ess…
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Last reviewed October 2026