Acts 19:13
New International Version
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”

New Living Translation
A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I bind you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”

Berean Literal Bible
Now some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, also attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those having evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

New American Standard Bible
But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, “I order you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches!”

NASB 1995
But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

NASB 1977
But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I implore you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

Amplified Bible
Then some of the traveling Jewish exorcists also attempted to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I implore you and solemnly command you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches!”

Christian Standard Bible
Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!”

American Standard Version
But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Contemporary English Version
Some Jewish men started going around trying to force out evil spirits by using the name of the Lord Jesus. They said to the spirits, "Come out in the name of that same Jesus that Paul preaches about!"

English Revised Version
But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them which had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some Jews used to travel from place to place and force evil spirits out of people. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to force evil spirits out of those who were possessed. These Jews would say, "I order you [to come out] in the name of Jesus, whom Paul talks about."

Good News Translation
Some Jews who traveled around and drove out evil spirits also tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to do this. They said to the evil spirits, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches."

International Standard Version
Then some Jews who went around trying to drive out demons attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus on those who had evil spirits, saying, "I command you by that Jesus whom Paul preaches!"

Majority Standard Bible
Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I bind you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”

NET Bible
But some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were possessed by evil spirits, saying, "I sternly warn you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."

New Heart English Bible
But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them who had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Weymouth New Testament
But there were also some wandering Jewish exorcists who undertook to invoke the name of Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, "I command you by that Jesus whom Paul preaches."

World English Bible
But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And certain of the wandering exorcist Jews, took on [them] to name over those having the evil spirits the Name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches”;

Berean Literal Bible
Now some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, also attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those having evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims."

Young's Literal Translation
And certain of the wandering exorcist Jews, took upon them to name over those having the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, 'We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul doth preach;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And certain of the wandering Jews, exorcists, undertook to call over them having evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul proclaims.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now some also of the Jewish exorcists who went about, attempted to invoke over them that had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying: I conjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, even some of the traveling Jewish exorcists had attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I bind you by oath through Jesus, whom Paul preaches.”

New American Bible
Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now certain Jews, who went about exorcising evil spirits, invoked the name of our LORD Jesus over those who were possessed, saying, We adjure you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But there were also some Jewish men who were going around and were exorcists of demons, exorcising in the name of our Lord Yeshua over those who had a foul spirit in them, while saying, “We exorcise you in the name of Yeshua whom Paulus preaches.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And some of the roving Jews, who were exorcists, under took to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying: I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.

Godbey New Testament
And certain ones of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus, over those having evil spirits saying, I adjure you in the name of Jesus whom Paul is preaching.

Haweis New Testament
Then certain of the Jews, who went about as exorcists, attempted to make mention of the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Mace New Testament
Upon this, certain vagabond Jews, who were exorcists, pretended to cure demoniacs by pronouncing the name of the Lord Jesus: their form being this, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."

Weymouth New Testament
But there were also some wandering Jewish exorcists who undertook to invoke the name of Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, "I command you by that Jesus whom Paul preaches."

Worrell New Testament
But some also of the wandering Jews, exorcists, attempted to name over those having evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches."

Worsley New Testament
Then some of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those that had evil spirits, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth."

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sons of Sceva
12so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them. 13Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I bind you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.…

Cross References
Matthew 7:22-23
Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Mark 9:38-39
John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” / “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me.

Luke 9:49-50
“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” / “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Matthew 12:27
And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.

Luke 11:19
And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.

Acts 16:16-18
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.

Acts 8:18-24
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. / “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” / But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! ...

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Matthew 10:1
And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.

Mark 3:14-15
He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, / and to have authority to drive out demons.

Luke 10:17-20
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” / So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. / Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. ...

Acts 4:7-10
They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” / Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! / If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, ...

Acts 3:6
But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

Acts 5:12-16
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade. / Although the people regarded them highly, no one else dared to join them. / Yet more and more believers were brought to the Lord—large numbers of both men and women. ...

Acts 13:6-12
They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took on them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.

vagabond.

Genesis 4:12,14
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth…

Psalm 109:10
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

exorcists.

Matthew 12:27
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

Luke 11:19
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

took.

Acts 8:18,19
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, …

Mark 9:38
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

Luke 9:49
And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

adjure.

Joshua 6:26
And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

1 Samuel 14:24
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

1 Kings 22:16
And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?

Jump to Previous
Adjure Attempted Command Driving Evil Invoke Jesus Jewish Jews Paul Preaches Preacheth Pronounce Spirits Themselves Undertook Vagabond Wandering
Jump to Next
Adjure Attempted Command Driving Evil Invoke Jesus Jewish Jews Paul Preaches Preacheth Pronounce Spirits Themselves Undertook Vagabond Wandering
Acts 19
1. The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands.
8. The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.
13. The Jewish exorcists,
16. are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit.
19. Conjuring books are burnt.
21. Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35. which is appeased by the town clerk.














itinerant Jewish exorcists
The term "itinerant" refers to individuals who travel from place to place. In the context of the ancient world, these Jewish exorcists were likely part of a broader tradition of traveling healers and miracle workers. The Jewish background of these exorcists is significant, as it highlights the diverse religious landscape of the time, where Jewish traditions intersected with emerging Christian beliefs. Historically, Jewish exorcism practices were well-documented, often involving rituals and the invocation of divine names. These exorcists, however, were not followers of Jesus but were attempting to use His name as a tool for their own purposes.

invoke the name of the Lord Jesus
The act of invoking a name in ancient times was believed to carry power and authority. In Jewish tradition, the name of God was considered sacred and powerful. Here, the exorcists attempt to use the name of Jesus, recognizing the authority and power associated with Him, as demonstrated through the ministry of Paul. This highlights the growing recognition of Jesus' name as a source of divine power, even among those who did not fully understand or follow His teachings.

over those with evil spirits
The presence of evil spirits in the biblical narrative reflects the spiritual warfare that is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In the ancient world, belief in spirits and their influence on human affairs was widespread. The New Testament frequently addresses the reality of spiritual forces and the authority of Jesus over them. This phrase underscores the ongoing battle between good and evil and the need for divine intervention through Jesus Christ.

They would say, 'I bind you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.'
The phrase "I bind you" indicates an attempt to exert control or authority over the evil spirits. The exorcists' use of "Jesus, whom Paul proclaims" reveals their secondhand knowledge of Jesus, relying on Paul's reputation and ministry rather than a personal relationship with Christ. This highlights a key theme in the Book of Acts: the importance of genuine faith and personal connection to Jesus, rather than merely using His name as a formula or incantation. The exorcists' approach contrasts with the authentic power demonstrated by Paul, who operated under the authority of the Holy Spirit and a personal commitment to Christ.

(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 with charms and spells to cure those who were looked on as possessed with demons. Many of these were said to have come down from Solomon. In Layard's Nineveh and Babylon (c. 22) there is an interesting account of several bronze bowls containing such formulae. To them "the name of the Lord Jesus," which was so often in St. Paul's lips, was just another formula, mightier than the name of the Most High God, or that of the archangels Raphael or Michael, which were used by others.

Verse 13. - But certain also for then certain, A.V.; strolling for vagabond, A.V.; name for call, A.V.; the evil for evil, A.V.; I for we, A.V. and T.R. Strolling (περιερχομένων); going their rounds from place to place, like strolling players or like peddlers. The words should be construed together, "strolling Jewish exorcists." That certain Jews in our Savior's time exorcised evil spirits appears from Matthew 12:27; Luke 9:49. We learn also from Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 8:2, 5, that forms of exorcism, said to have been invented by King Solomon, so efficacious that the devils cast out by them could never come back, were used with great effect in his days. He adds that he himself knew of an instance in which one of his own countrymen, Eleazar by name, had cast out devils in the presence of Vespasian and his sons and officers and a number of his soldiers. The method used was this: The exorcist applied to the nose of the possessed the bezil of a ring, under which was a certain root prescribed by Solomon, and so drew out the evil spirit through the man's nostrils. The possessed then fell to the ground, and the exorcist commanded the evil spirit in the name of Solomon never to return, and then recited one of Solomon's incantations. To give full assurance to the bystanders that the evil spirit had really left the man, the exorcist placed a vessel full of water at some distance off, and then commanded the ejected spirit to overturn it, which he did. Thus far Josephus. Lightfoot, on Acts 13. (vol. 3:215), quotes the book Juchasin as speaking of certain Jews as "skilled in miracles," and the Jerusalem Talmud as speaking of their enchantments and magical tricks and charms" in the name of Jesus" (see, further, Alford on Matthew 12:27).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

[there were] some
τινες (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

itinerant
περιερχομένων (perierchomenōn)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4022: From peri and erchomai; to come all around, i.e. Stroll, vacillate, veer.

Jewish
Ἰουδαίων (Ioudaiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

exorcists
ἐξορκιστῶν (exorkistōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1845: From exorkizo; one that binds by an oath, i.e. an 'exorcist'.

who tried
Ἐπεχείρησαν (Epecheirēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2021: To take in hand, attempt. From epi and cheir; to put the hand upon, i.e. Undertake.

to invoke
ὀνομάζειν (onomazein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3687: From onoma; to name, i.e. Assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

name
ὄνομα (onoma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

over
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

those
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

with
ἔχοντας (echontas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

evil
πονηρὰ (ponēra)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

spirits.
πνεύματα (pneumata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

They would say,
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“I bind
Ὁρκίζω (Horkizō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3726: To adjure by, charge solemnly by. From horkos; to put on oath, i.e. Make swear; by analogy, to solemnly enjoin.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[by]
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Jesus,
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

whom
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

Paul
Παῦλος (Paulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

proclaims.”
κηρύσσει (kēryssei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2784: To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.


Links
Acts 19:13 NIV
Acts 19:13 NLT
Acts 19:13 ESV
Acts 19:13 NASB
Acts 19:13 KJV

Acts 19:13 BibleApps.com
Acts 19:13 Biblia Paralela
Acts 19:13 Chinese Bible
Acts 19:13 French Bible
Acts 19:13 Catholic Bible

NT Apostles: Acts 19:13 But some of the itinerant Jews exorcists (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 19:12
Top of Page
Top of Page