ACTS 19:11–20
EXTRAORDINARY MIRACLES, THE POWER OF THE NAME OF JESUS, AND TRUE CONVERSION
Text – Acts 19:11–20
11 So extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul
12 that when face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and evil spirits came out of them.
13 Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those possessed by evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14 When seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this,
15 the evil spirit said to them in reply, “Jesus I recognize, Paul I know, but who are you?”
16 The man possessed by the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered them all, and overpowered them, so that they fled from that house naked and wounded.
17 When this became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus came to be held in honor.
18 Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices.
19 Moreover, a large number of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in public. They calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand silver coins.
20 Thus did the word of the Lord continue to spread with influence and grow in power.
Historical and Jewish Context
Ephesus was widely known for magical practices, incantations, and amulets, often connected with the worship of Artemis. Jewish exorcists were respected in the ancient world and frequently used sacred names in ritual formulas. The misuse of the name of Jesus reflects a belief that divine power could be manipulated mechanically. Public book burning symbolized a decisive break from former life patterns. Fear, in biblical thought, often signals reverence and recognition of God’s holiness.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage emphasizes that the power of Jesus’ name is not magical but relational and sacramental. Authority over evil comes from communion with Christ, not verbal formulas. The failed exorcism exposes the danger of attempting to use religion for power without conversion. True faith leads to repentance, renunciation of sin, and concrete change of life. The public destruction of magic books shows that conversion affects personal, social, and economic dimensions. The growth of the Word confirms that holiness authenticates evangelization.
Parallels in Scripture
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 – Condemnation of magic
Mark 9:38–39 – Authority in Jesus’ name
Acts 8:9–24 – Simon the magician
Philippians 2:9–11 – Power of the name of Jesus
James 5:16 – Confession and healing
Key Terms
Extraordinary miracles – God’s sovereign action
Name of Jesus – Authority rooted in relationship
Evil spirits – Spiritual opposition to God
Fear fell upon them – Reverent awe before God
Confessed their practices – Repentance and transparency
Burned their books – Radical conversion
Catholic Liturgical Significance
Acts 19:11–20 is proclaimed during the Easter Season, highlighting Christ’s victory over evil and the call to authentic conversion rooted in the power of the Resurrection.
Conclusion
Acts 19:11–20 teaches that the Gospel is not compatible with spiritual compromise. The power of Jesus Christ brings liberation, demands repentance, and leads to visible transformation of life, allowing the Word of God to grow in power and influence.
Reflection
Do I rely on a true relationship with Christ rather than external religious forms?
What practices or attachments might hinder my full conversion?
Am I willing to renounce what is incompatible with the Gospel?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your name is holy and powerful. Purify my heart, free me from every attachment that opposes Your truth, and lead me to a sincere conversion that honors You in every aspect of my life. Amen.