Acts 19:16

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

And {G2532} the man {G444} in {G1722} whom {G3739} the evil {G4190} spirit {G4151} was {G2258} leaped {G2177} on {G1909} them {G846}, and {G2532} overcame {G2634} them {G846}, and prevailed {G2480} against {G2596} them {G846}, so {G5620} that they fled {G1628} out of {G1537} that {G1565} house {G3624} naked {G1131} and {G2532} wounded {G5135}.

Then the man with the evil spirit fell upon them, overpowered them and gave them such a beating that they ran from the house, naked and bleeding.

Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. The attack was so violent that they ran out of the house naked and wounded.

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Commentary

Context of Acts 19:16

This verse is a dramatic culmination of an incident in Ephesus, a city renowned for its pagan worship, especially the cult of Artemis (Diana), and various magical practices. Paul's ministry in Ephesus was marked by extraordinary miracles and the authentic demonstration of God's power. Against this backdrop, certain itinerant Jewish exorcists, including the seven sons of Sceva, a chief priest, attempted to mimic Paul's success by invoking the name of "Jesus whom Paul preacheth." They lacked genuine faith or a personal relationship with Christ, seeking to use the name as a magical incantation rather than a source of divine authority.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Authentic vs. Unauthorized Authority: Acts 19:16 vividly illustrates the peril of dabbling in spiritual matters without true divine authority. The evil spirit recognized Jesus and Paul, but not these unauthorized exorcists (Acts 19:15). This highlights that spiritual power is not a formula or a name to be casually invoked, but flows from a genuine relationship with God.
  • The Reality and Power of Evil Spirits: The passage underscores the tangible reality and malevolent power of demonic forces. The man possessed by the evil spirit demonstrated physical strength far beyond human capability, completely overpowering his assailants.
  • Consequences of Presumption: The severe outcome for the sons of Sceva – being overcome, wounded, and shamed – serves as a stark warning against spiritual presumption and the misuse of God's name. It emphasizes that attempting to wield spiritual power without a true foundation in Christ can lead to disastrous consequences.
  • Validation of Paul's Ministry: Ironically, this humiliating defeat for the sons of Sceva served to further validate the authenticity and power of Paul's ministry and the name of Jesus Christ in Ephesus. The incident spread fear and respect for the Lord's name (Acts 19:17).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "evil spirit" is pneuma poneron (πνεῦμα πονηρὸν), emphasizing the inherently wicked and malevolent nature of the spiritual entity. The description of the man "leaping on them" (ἐφαλόμενος ἐπ’ αὐτούς - ephalomenos ep' autous) conveys a sudden, aggressive, and overwhelming assault, highlighting the demonic power. The verbs "overcame them" (κατεκυρίευσεν αὐτῶν - katekuriyeusen autōn, meaning 'mastered them' or 'gained dominion over them') and "prevailed against them" (ἴσχυσεν κατ’ αὐτῶν - ischusen kat' autōn, meaning 'had strength against them') powerfully depict the complete defeat and humiliation of the exorcists.

Practical Application

Acts 19:16 teaches us the crucial importance of authentic faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We are reminded that spiritual authority is not a magical formula or a set of words, but stems from being truly "in Christ." This account encourages believers to rely on God's power through genuine submission to Him, rather than attempting to manipulate spiritual forces. It also emphasizes the critical difference between true spiritual authority and mere imitation, a theme echoed in Paul's later teaching on spiritual warfare, where he stresses the need for the full armor of God, not just a borrowed name.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 8:29

    (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

  • Mark 5:3

    Who had [his] dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

  • Mark 5:4

    Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any [man] tame him.

  • Mark 5:15

    And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

  • Luke 8:35

    Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
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