Acts 19:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐφαλλόμενος

G2177

leaped

to spring upon

ἐπ'

G1909

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,

G846

them

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

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνθρωπος

G444

the man

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐν

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ᾧ

G3739

whom

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἦν

G2258

was

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

#10

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#11

πνεῦμα

G4151

spirit

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

#12

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#13

πονηρὸν

G4190

the evil

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

#14

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#15

κατακυριεύσας

G2634

overcame

to lord against, i.e., control, subjugate

#16

αὐτῶν,

G846

them

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

#17

ἴσχυσεν

G2480

and prevailed

to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)

#18

κατ'

G2596

against

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

#19

αὐτῶν,

G846

them

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

#20

ὥστε

G5620

so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)

#21

γυμνοὺς

G1131

naked

nude (absolute or relative, literal or figurative)

#22

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#23

τετραυματισμένους

G5135

wounded

to inflict a wound

#24

ἐκφυγεῖν

G1628

that they fled

to flee out

#25

ἐκ

G1537

out of

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

#26

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#27

οἴκου

G3624

house

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

#28

ἐκείνου

G1565

that

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Acts chapter 19 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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