Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 19:14

"And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this." — Acts 19:14 (ASV)

The use of magical names in incantations to exorcise evil spirits was common in the ancient world, and it seems to have been especially prominent at Ephesus. In addition, Jewish practitioners of magic were highly esteemed in antiquity, for they were believed to have command of particularly effective spells. The great reluctance of the Jews to pronounce the divine name was known among the ancients and often misinterpreted according to magical principles. Moreover, those connected with the Jewish priesthood would have enjoyed great prestige in magical circles since they were the most likely ones to know the true pronunciation of the Ineffable Name.

Some Jewish exorcists, on coming into contact with Paul and his preaching about Jesus, attempted to make magical use of this new name. Luke identifies them as “seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest.” Perhaps they did belong to one of the high priestly families of Jerusalem, though the title “Jewish chief priest” was more likely a self-designation manufactured to impress their clients and is reported by Luke without evaluation. Perhaps they even professed to accept Paul’s message and to be committed to Jesus personally themselves, much as Simon of Samaria did (cf. 8:9–24). But their main goal was for the benefits they could derive for their magical arts from the power of the name of Jesus, and so they simply continued in their old ways with a new twist.

When, however, they tried to use this more powerful name in their exorcisms, Sceva’s sons found they were dealing with realities far beyond their ability to cope. The demon they were trying to exorcise turned violently on them, and they fled from the house naked and bleeding. The name of Jesus, like an unfamiliar weapon misused, exploded in their hands; and they were taught a lesson about the danger of using the name of Jesus in their dabbling in the supernatural.