Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 19:15

"And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?" — Acts 19:15 (ASV)

Jesus I know, and Paul I know . . .—Better, Jesus I acknowledge. The two verbs are different in the Greek; the one implies recognition of authority, and the latter (colloquially used, though it originally had a stronger meaning) implies a more familiar acquaintance. The possessed man, identifying himself with the demon (as the Gadarene did), stood in awe of the Name of Jesus when uttered by a man like St. Paul; but who were these seven pretenders, that they should usurp authority over him?