Acts Chapter 19 · Verse 14
And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Original Language Analysis
υἱοὶ
sons
G5207
υἱοὶ
sons
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
4 of 11
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Σκευᾶ
of one Sceva
G4630
Σκευᾶ
of one Sceva
Strong's:
G4630
Word #:
5 of 11
left-handed; scevas (i.e., scaevus), an israelite
ἀρχιερέως
and chief of the priests
G749
ἀρχιερέως
and chief of the priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
7 of 11
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
Historical Context
Sceva's identity as 'chief priest' (Greek 'archiereus') is uncertain - he may have claimed this title without legitimate authority, or represented one of Judaism's prominent priestly families. His sons' occupation shows religious commerce exploitation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does religious pedigree fail to produce spiritual authority?
- What happens when people commercialize spiritual ministry?
- How can we avoid treating Christianity as a business or technique?
Analysis & Commentary
'There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.' Luke's specific naming shows this wasn't anonymous folklore but documented history. That a chief priest's sons practiced exorcism reveals Judaism's syncretism with paganism. Even religious privilege doesn't guarantee spiritual authority.