Acts 19:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
4 of 30
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περιερχομένων
the vagabond
G4022
περιερχομένων
the vagabond
Strong's:
G4022
Word #:
6 of 30
to come all around, i.e., stroll, vacillate, veer
ἐξορκιστῶν
exorcists
G1845
ἐξορκιστῶν
exorcists
Strong's:
G1845
Word #:
8 of 30
one that binds by an oath (or spell), i.e., (by implication) an "exorcist" (conjurer)
ὀνομάζειν
to call
G3687
ὀνομάζειν
to call
Strong's:
G3687
Word #:
9 of 30
to name, i.e., assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 30
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχοντας
them which had
G2192
ἔχοντας
them which had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
12 of 30
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματα
spirits
G4151
πνεύματα
spirits
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
14 of 30
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πονηρὰ
evil
G4190
πονηρὰ
evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
16 of 30
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομα
the name
G3686
ὄνομα
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
18 of 30
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
20 of 30
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
21 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
22 of 30
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὁρκίζομεν
We adjure
G3726
Ὁρκίζομεν
We adjure
Strong's:
G3726
Word #:
23 of 30
to put on oath, i.e., make swear; by analogy, to solemnly enjoin
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
26 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
27 of 30
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 12:27And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.Mark 9:38And 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 11:19And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.Mark 5:7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.Luke 9:49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.Matthew 26:63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.1 Kings 22:16And 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?
Historical Context
Jewish exorcists were common in the ancient world (cf. Matthew 12:27). They used elaborate incantations and divine names to expel demons. These practitioners tried to add Jesus' name to their arsenal without genuine faith.
Questions for Reflection
- What's the difference between invoking Jesus' name and knowing Jesus personally?
- How do people today use Christianity as a technique rather than a relationship?
- Why doesn't magical use of Jesus' name carry spiritual authority?
Analysis & Commentary
'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.' These Jewish exorcists treated Jesus' name as a magical formula, not submitting to Him as Lord. Their attempt shows religion without relationship, invoking Christ's name without knowing Christ personally.