Acts 19:11
What does Acts 19:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:11 means
God works special miracles through Paul’s hands. Luke directs credit to God, not the messenger, and calls these works “special,” signaling unusual manifestations suited to Ephesus’s context. In a city boasting magic and idol power, the Lord displays superior authority. Miracles in Acts consistently serve to confirm the word and to show mercy, not to entertain. Paul is an instrument; God is the actor. This prepares readers to understand the remarkable healings that follow as sovereign gifts, not techniques to be replicated. The point is that the living God is at work, validating the gospel of His Son in a place saturated with counterfeit spiritual claims.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And God did special works of power by the hands of Paul:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862mighty works also--not common--was God working through the hands of Paul,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And God wrought by the hand of Paul more than common miracles.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890AndGod wrought no ordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
Context
After two years of daily teaching that spreads the word widely, Luke turns to divine confirmations of the message. The following verse describes healings and deliverances occurring through contact with items associated with Paul. This will set up a sharp contrast with strolling Jewish exorcists who try to wield Jesus’ name without faith, revealing that the power lies not in objects or formulas but in the Lord Himself.
v.10And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
v.11This passage
v.12insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 14:12
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.
- Mark 16:17
And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
- Acts 15:12
And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
- Acts 14:3
Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
- Acts 5:12
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people: and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
- Romans 15:18
For I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
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