Acts 19:17

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

And {G1161} this {G5124} was {G1096} known {G1110} to all {G3956} the Jews {G2453} and {G5037} Greeks {G1672} also {G2532} dwelling {G2730} at Ephesus {G2181}; and {G2532} fear {G5401} fell {G1968} on {G1909} them {G846} all {G3956}, and {G2532} the name {G3686} of the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424} was magnified {G3170}.

When all this became known to the residents of Ephesus, fear fell on all of them, Jews and Greeks alike; and the name of the Lord Yeshua came to be held in high regard.

This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Acts 19:17 (KJV) describes the profound impact of a supernatural event that occurred during the apostle Paul's powerful ministry in Ephesus. This verse highlights the immediate and widespread reaction to the failed exorcism attempt by the sons of Sceva, a group of Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of Jesus without genuine faith or authority.

Context

Leading up to this verse, Paul had been performing extraordinary miracles in Ephesus, including healing the sick and casting out evil spirits. Inspired by Paul's success, but lacking true spiritual authority, seven sons of the Jewish chief priest Sceva attempted to cast out a demon by saying, "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." The demon-possessed man, however, recognized their lack of genuine connection to Jesus, overpowered them, and exposed their impotence (Acts 19:16). The incident, publicly humiliating for the exorcists, quickly became widely known throughout the diverse city of Ephesus, among both its Jewish and Greek inhabitants.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Authenticity: The event served as a stark demonstration of the true power of God versus mere imitation or superstition. It underscored that the power of Jesus' name is not a magical formula to be manipulated, but flows from genuine faith and submission to His authority.
  • Reverence and Awe: The immediate consequence was that "fear fell on them all." This was not merely terror, but a profound sense of awe and reverence for the divine power that had been so clearly displayed. It was a recognition of God's holiness and the serious nature of spiritual warfare, promoting a healthy fear of the Lord.
  • Magnification of Jesus' Name: The ultimate outcome was that "the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." This means Jesus' reputation, authority, and glory were elevated and acknowledged as supreme. Far from discrediting Christianity, the incident authenticated the message Paul preached, demonstrating that Jesus' power was real and unmatched by any other spiritual force or human attempt at control. This aligns with the truth that God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him a name above every name.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "magnified" is megaluno (μεγαλύνω), which means to make great, to extol, or to glorify. It implies that Jesus' name was not just recognized, but actively honored and declared great by the people. The word for "fear" is phobos (φόβος), which can indeed mean dread, but in a religious context, it often refers to reverence or awe, a proper respect for divine power and holiness.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. It emphasizes that:

  • True spiritual power comes from a genuine relationship with God and submission to His will, not from rituals or mere recitation of sacred words.
  • God often uses unexpected or even negative events to reveal His power and advance His kingdom.
  • Our aim should always be to see the name of Jesus glorified and magnified in our lives and through our actions, demonstrating His authentic power to a watching world.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:12

    That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Acts 5:5

    And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

  • Acts 5:11

    And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1

    ¶ Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:

  • Philippians 2:9

    Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

  • Philippians 2:11

    And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  • Philippians 1:20

    According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.

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