Acts 19:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,

NIV: God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,

NASB: God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,

CSB: God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands,

NLT: God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles.

KJV: And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

NKJV: Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,

In a place dominated by that which is fake and harmful, people hunger for what is real. Cities in the Roman Empire were typically filled with pagan gods; Ephesus was also saturated with demonic magic. Demonic possession was so prevalent, exorcists could make a living by expelling them—or attempting to. Witchcraft was so endemic that "Ephesian writings" is an idiom referring to written spells. It's no wonder Paul writes so much about spiritual warfare in his book to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:12).

"Miracles" is from the Greek root word dynamis which is also translated "power." Paul's miracles are directly identified as acts of power of the Holy Spirit who is working through him. "Extraordinary" is from the Greek root word tynchanō and has the idea of "accurate," "effective," or "hitting the target." "Hands" is from the Greek root word cheir. It means the miracles came through Paul, not necessarily only from his hands as Acts 19:12 shows.

It's possible the work of John the Baptist has softened the hearts of Gentiles as well as Jews. At least twelve men in Ephesus are devoted followers of John's message of repentance (Acts 19:1–4). The combination of seeing the harm demons can cause (Acts 19:16) and the message of repentance from sin may have prepared the Gentiles. Combined with Paul's real healing of others from sickness and evil spirits, the people of Ephesus enthusiastically accept Paul's message of forgiveness from Jesus.

Acts 19:11–20 gives the account of the Sons of Sceva in Ephesus. Witchcraft was endemic in Ephesus, and itinerant Jewish exorcists took advantage of the corresponding demonic activity. Paul has been healing and expelling demons in Jesus' name. But when the sons of Sceva attempt to use his faith in Christ as a formula, the demon beats them up. The people see how Paul has access to real power that can free them, and they abandon their magic and follow Jesus—much to the dismay of the guild that makes and sells idols of Artemis (Acts 19:23–27).

Acts 19 recounts Paul's three-year visit in Ephesus. He starts by revealing how Jesus of Nazareth has brought to life the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit validates Paul's message by healing those struck with physical ailments and demon possession. Amazed by Paul's authority over evil spirits, so many magicians turn to Christ that the craftsmen who make idols fear for their livelihoods. They nearly incite a riot before the town clerk settles them down. Paul realizes his time in Ephesus has ended, and he travels to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

Acts 19 is the meat of Paul's third missionary voyage. He has already revisited the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now he returns to Ephesus for a three-year stay. After firmly establishing the church there, rescuing many from pagan magic and the worship of Artemis, he returns to Macedonia and Greece. A threat on his life sends him back up to Macedonia and across to Troas. He meets briefly with the Ephesian elders to tell them they will not meet again (Acts 20). When he returns to Jerusalem, he is arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.