Acts 19:16
And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπ'
on
G1909
ἐπ'
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
3 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτῶν,
them
G846
αὐτῶν,
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ᾧ
whom
G3739
ᾧ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
11 of 28
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 #:
12 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πονηρὸν
the evil
G4190
πονηρὸν
the evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
13 of 28
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν,
them
G846
αὐτῶν,
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἴσχυσεν
and prevailed
G2480
ἴσχυσεν
and prevailed
Strong's:
G2480
Word #:
17 of 28
to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)
κατ'
against
G2596
κατ'
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
18 of 28
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
αὐτῶν,
them
G846
αὐτῶν,
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὥστε
so
G5620
ὥστε
so
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
20 of 28
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
25 of 28
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
This incident became widely known in Ephesus (Acts 19:17), serving as warning against magical manipulation and encouraging genuine faith in Christ. The physical beating illustrated spiritual defeat.
Questions for Reflection
- What dangers face those who attempt spiritual ministry without Christ's authority?
- How does this incident warn against treating Christianity as magic or technique?
- What does genuine spiritual authority require?
Analysis & Commentary
'The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.' This violent response demonstrated the danger of spiritual warfare without spiritual authority. Their humiliation - fleeing naked and wounded - publicly exposed their powerlessness. Attempting spiritual ministry without Christ's authority invites disaster.