Acts 19:19

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [men]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver.

Many {G2425} of them also {G1161} which used {G4238} curious arts {G4021} brought {G4851} their books {G976} together {G4851}, and burned them {G2618} before {G1799} all {G3956} men: and {G2532} they counted {G4860} the price {G5092} of them {G846}, and {G2532} found {G2147} it fifty {G4002} thousand {G3461} pieces of silver {G694}.

and a considerable number of those who had engaged in occult practices threw their scrolls in a pile and burned them in public. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, it came to fifty thousand drachmas.

And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.

And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Context

Acts 19:19 occurs during the apostle Paul's extended and impactful ministry in Ephesus, a prominent city in Asia Minor known for its magnificent Temple of Artemis and its deep entanglement with magic, sorcery, and various occult practices. The preceding verses (Acts 19:11-17) describe how God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul, leading to widespread awe. This divine power was starkly contrasted by the failed exorcism attempts of the seven sons of Sceva, who tried to invoke the name of Jesus without true faith. This incident instilled fear and reverence for the name of the Lord Jesus throughout the city, prompting many to confess their deeds and turn to Christ.

Key Themes

  • Radical Repentance and Renunciation: This verse vividly portrays a profound act of repentance. Those who had engaged in "curious arts" publicly and decisively renounced their past by destroying their valuable magical books. This was not a private decision but a public declaration of their new allegiance to Christ, demonstrating genuine sorrow for sin and a commitment to a new way of life.
  • The Power of the Gospel Over Darkness: The burning of these books symbolizes the triumph of the Gospel over spiritual darkness, idolatry, and occult practices. It underscores the supremacy of Jesus Christ's authority over all other spiritual forces and the futility of relying on "curious arts" for power or insight.
  • Cost of Discipleship: The immense value of the burned books—fifty thousand pieces of silver—highlights the significant personal sacrifice these new believers were willing to make. This act illustrates that true discipleship often involves a tangible cost, requiring believers to abandon anything that conflicts with their commitment to Christ, regardless of its monetary or personal value.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "curious arts" translates the Greek word perierga (περίεργα). This term literally means "over-busy" or "meddlesome," but in this context, it specifically refers to magical arts, sorcery, divination, and forbidden knowledge. It encapsulates practices that were considered illicit or superstitious, often involving spells, charms, and attempts to manipulate spiritual forces outside of God's will. The immense "fifty thousand pieces of silver" likely refers to denarii, each representing a day's wage. This staggering sum, equivalent to over 137 years of labor for a single person, underscores the pervasive nature and financial investment in these occult practices in Ephesus, and thus the magnitude of their renunciation.

Practical Application

Acts 19:19 serves as a powerful model for believers today. It challenges us to examine our own lives for any "curious arts" or practices that are contrary to God's Word, whether they be overt occult involvement, or more subtle forms of idolatry, reliance on superstition, or entertainment that glorifies evil. True conversion and ongoing spiritual growth often necessitate a clear, decisive break from past sinful habits and influences. This may involve sacrificing things of value, whether possessions, relationships, or habits, if they hinder our walk with God. The public nature of the Ephesians' repentance also highlights the importance of accountability and transparent commitment in the Christian community, demonstrating a genuine fruit of repentance.

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.

  • Isaiah 2:20

    In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made [each one] for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

  • Isaiah 2:21

    To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

  • Genesis 35:4

    And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which [were] in their hand, and [all their] earrings which [were] in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which [was] by Shechem.

  • Acts 13:8

    But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

  • Deuteronomy 7:25

    The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold [that is] on them, nor take [it] unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it [is] an abomination to the LORD thy God.

  • Deuteronomy 7:26

    Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: [but] thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it [is] a cursed thing.

  • Exodus 32:20

    And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt [it] in the fire, and ground [it] to powder, and strawed [it] upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink [of it].

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