“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 19:13 Mean?
This is one of the more darkly humorous scenes in Acts. Itinerant Jewish exorcists — who are not followers of Jesus — try to use His name as a magic formula. "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." They're not invoking a relationship; they're borrowing a brand name. They've seen Paul cast out demons using Jesus' name and figured it was a technique they could replicate.
The result (verse 15-16) is both terrifying and almost comedic: the evil spirit responds, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" and the possessed man attacks them so violently they flee the house naked and wounded.
This episode reveals something crucial about spiritual authority: it's relational, not mechanical. The name of Jesus isn't an incantation. It carries authority when spoken by people who are in relationship with Him. These exorcists had the right words but no connection to the person behind them. The demons knew the difference, even if the exorcists didn't.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Have you ever caught yourself using 'Christian language' without the relationship behind it — going through motions that aren't connected to genuine faith?
- 2.What's the difference between knowing Jesus and knowing about Jesus — and how do you cultivate the former?
- 3.Why do you think the evil spirit distinguished between people who genuinely knew Jesus and those who were just using His name?
- 4.Is there an area of your spiritual life where you've been relying on technique rather than relationship?
Devotional
"Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" That line from the evil spirit is one of the most revealing sentences in the New Testament. It means the spiritual realm recognizes relationship. Demons could identify Jesus' authority and Paul's connection to it. But these exorcists were strangers using a name they had no right to invoke.
There's a version of this that applies beyond exorcism. You can use all the right Christian vocabulary, reference all the right Scripture, perform all the right spiritual practices — and still be operating without genuine connection to the one whose name you're using. The words are correct. The relationship is absent.
This isn't meant to make you doubt your faith — it's meant to make you examine it. Are you living from a genuine relationship with Jesus, or are you borrowing spiritual language and techniques because you've seen them work for other people?
Paul could cast out demons because he knew Jesus. Not knew about Him — knew Him. The power wasn't in the formula. It was in the friendship. And that's available to you — not secondhand through Paul or your pastor or anyone else, but directly.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And the evil spirit answered and said,.... The Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, add,…
The vagabond Jews - Greek: Jews going about - περιερχομένων perierchomenōn. The word “vagabond” with us is now…
Certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists - Τινες απο των περιερχομενων Ιουδαιων εξορκιϚων; Certain of the Jews who went…
The preachers of the gospel were sent forth to carry on a war against Satan, and therein Christ went forth conquering…
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists The best MSS. have " And certain also, &c." In addition to the real, though…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture