The Sons of Sceva
The seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were traveling exorcists in Ephesus who tried to borrow power they did not possess. Watching Paul cast out evil spirits in Jesus's name, they adopted the formula as an incantation: 'We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.' The evil spirit's reply has echoed ever since: 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?' The possessed man then leaped on them, overpowered all seven, 'so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.' Fear fell on all Ephesus, the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, and the episode triggered one of the New Testament's great public turnings: new believers confessed their occult practices and burned their magic books - fifty thousand pieces of silver worth - in an open bonfire. The brothers stand as Scripture's permanent warning that the name of Jesus is not a formula but a relationship.
Biography
- Occupation
- Itinerant exorcists
- Father
- Sceva, a Jewish chief priest
- Era
- New Testament
- Nationality
- Jewish
Family
Did You Know?
No Jewish high priest named Sceva appears in any historical record - he may have invented the title as marketing for the family exorcism business.
The magic books burned at Ephesus after this episode were worth fifty thousand pieces of silver - roughly 135 years of a laborer's wages.
Ancient magical papyri have been found that invoke 'Jesus, god of the Hebrews' in spell formulas - exactly the borrowed-name magic the seven brothers attempted.
Key Chapters
Key Passages
"Jesus I Know, and Paul I Know; But Who Are Ye?"
Acts 19:13-17
Secondhand faith meets a firsthand enemy - the name of Jesus wielded without knowing Jesus proves worse than useless.
13hen 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.
Ephesus Burns Its Magic Books
Acts 19:18-20
The humiliation of the counterfeit exorcists leads a city steeped in magic to a costly, public break with its past - 'so mightily grew the word of God.'
18nd many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.