Acts 19:13
What does Acts 19:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:13 means
Certain itinerant Jewish exorcists attempt to name the Lord Jesus over the demon-possessed, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” They treat Jesus’ name as a formula to harness power, absent living faith. This exposes a common error: confusing knowledge about Jesus with union to Him. The scene contrasts with Paul’s ministry where God acts through authentic trust and commission. The exorcists’ approach fits Ephesus’s magical mindset—strings of names and incantations—yet the gospel insists that authority over evil rests in the person of Jesus, not in syllables. Their words betray distance: it is the Jesus “whom Paul preaches,” not the Lord they themselves confess.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But some of the Jews who went from place to place driving out evil spirits, took it on themselves to make use of the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I give you orders, by Jesus, whom Paul is preaching.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And certain of the wandering exorcist Jews, took upon <FI>them<Fi> to name over those having the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, `We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul doth preach;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now some also of the Jewish exorcists, who went about, attempted to invoke over them that had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying: I conjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And certain of the Jewish exorcists also, who went about, took in hand to call upon those who had wicked spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches.
Context
This follows the report of unusual healings through Paul, and it intentionally contrasts true divine power with human attempts to imitate it. The next verse identifies a prominent group—the seven sons of Sceva—who practice this method. Their failure will become a public lesson, leading the city to fear and to magnify the name of the Lord Jesus, preparing hearts for genuine repentance and renunciation of occult practices.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 4:12
when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.
- Mark 9:38
John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us.
- Joshua 6:26
And Joshua charged them with an oath at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before Jehovah, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: with the loss of his first-born shall he lay the foundation thereof, and with the loss of his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.
- Acts 8:18
Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
- Genesis 4:14
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the ground; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth; and it will come to pass, that whosoever findeth me will slay me.
- Luke 11:19
And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 19
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 19.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Confession of Sin
Confession of sin is an essential step in drawing near to God and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing.
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
What the Bible says about…