Acts 19:15
What does Acts 19:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:15 means
The evil spirit answers, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” The demonic realm recognizes the supreme authority of Jesus and the authenticity of Paul’s commission under Him, but rejects pretenders. Knowledge here is experiential recognition of authority. The taunt exposes the emptiness of using Jesus’ name apart from allegiance to Him. This moment reveals a sobering truth: evil is not impressed by religious formulas; it yields only to the Lord it must obey. The scene exalts Christ’s name even through rebuke, making it clear that effective ministry flows from relationship and obedience, not borrowed words. The stage is set for a painful lesson.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the evil spirit, answering, said to them, I have knowledge of Jesus, and of Paul, but who are you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the evil spirit, answering, said, `Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; and ye--who are ye?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the wicked spirit, answering, said to them: Jesus I know: and Paul I know. But who are you?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the wicked spirit answering said to them, Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; but ye, who are ye?
Context
This sharp reply follows the sons of Sceva’s attempt to invoke Jesus as a technique and immediately precedes their violent humiliation. The narrative’s purpose is not to glorify darkness but to display the difference between true and false authority. The outcome will spread through Ephesus, leading many to fear, magnify Jesus’ name, and confess their deeds. It prepares the way for the mass renunciation of magical practices that follows.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 8:28
And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not.
- Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?
- 1 Kings 22:21
And there came forth a spirit, and stood before Jehovah, and said, I will entice him.
- Mark 1:24
saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus thou Nazarene? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
- Acts 16:17
The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.
- Mark 5:9
And he asked him, What is thy name? And he saith unto him, My name is Legion; for we are many.
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