Acts 19:15
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Original Language Analysis
ἀποκριθὲν
answered
G611
ἀποκριθὲν
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 18
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
4 of 18
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πονηρὸν
the evil
G4190
πονηρὸν
the evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
6 of 18
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
Τὸν
G3588
Τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
γινώσκω
I know
G1097
γινώσκω
I know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
10 of 18
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
13 of 18
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ἐπίσταμαι
I know
G1987
ἐπίσταμαι
I know
Strong's:
G1987
Word #:
14 of 18
to put the mind upon, i.e., comprehend, or be acquainted with
Cross References
Mark 1:34And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.Mark 1:24Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Historical Context
Demons' testimony to Jesus appears throughout the Gospels (Mark 1:24, 5:7). Their recognition of Paul shows apostolic authority was spiritually discernible. The exorcists' failure exposed their fraudulence.
Questions for Reflection
- What does demonic recognition of Jesus teach about spiritual reality?
- How is genuine spiritual authority distinguished from religious pretense?
- Why do demons sometimes speak theological truth?
Analysis & Commentary
'The evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?' This demonic testimony is startling - demons recognize genuine spiritual authority while rejecting pretenders. The demon 'knew' (Greek 'ginōskō') Jesus intimately and 'understood' (Greek 'epistamai') Paul's authority, but dismissed these charlatans. Spiritual authority comes from union with Christ, not techniques or formulas.