Acts 19:17
And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Original Language Analysis
ἐγένετο
was
G1096
ἐγένετο
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 26
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἕλλησιν
Greeks
G1672
Ἕλλησιν
Greeks
Strong's:
G1672
Word #:
9 of 26
a hellen (grecian) or inhabitant of hellas; by extension a greek-speaking person, especially a non-jew
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατοικοῦσιν
dwelling
G2730
κατοικοῦσιν
dwelling
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
11 of 26
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπέπεσεν
fell
G1968
ἐπέπεσεν
fell
Strong's:
G1968
Word #:
15 of 26
to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 26
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
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐμεγαλύνετο
was magnified
G3170
ἐμεγαλύνετο
was magnified
Strong's:
G3170
Word #:
21 of 26
to make (or declare) great, i.e., increase or (figuratively) extol
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομα
the name
G3686
ὄνομα
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
23 of 26
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 5:5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.Acts 5:11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.2 Thessalonians 1:12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
Ephesus was notorious for magical practices—'Ephesian letters' (magical formulas) were famous throughout the ancient world. The sons of Sceva attempted to use Jesus' name as a magical incantation, but the demon's violent response exposed their fraudulence, shocking the syncretistic religious culture.
Questions for Reflection
- How might attempts to use Jesus' name without genuine relationship to Him appear in contemporary Christianity?
- What does the 'fear' that fell on Ephesus teach about healthy reverence for God's power versus casual familiarity?
Analysis & Commentary
This was known to all... and fear fell on them all—The exorcism failure of Sceva's sons (vv. 13-16) created holy fear (φόβος) throughout Ephesus, Greek and Jewish populations alike. The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified (ἐμεγαλύνετο τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ)—the verb suggests Jesus' name was exalted, honored, treated as supremely powerful. This event demonstrated that Jesus' authority cannot be counterfeited or manipulated; His name works only through genuine relationship. The failed exorcism paradoxically advanced the gospel more than successful miracles might have, proving Christ's uniqueness against magical pretension.