Acts 19:17
What does Acts 19:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:17 means
The event becomes known to all in Ephesus, Jews and Greeks alike, and fear falls on them. The name of the Lord Jesus is magnified. Public awareness and holy fear replace curiosity and presumption. Rather than discrediting the gospel, the exposure of impostors prunes away confusion and clarifies that Jesus’ authority is not for sale. The magnifying of Jesus’ name means His reputation and worth are exalted in the city’s mind. This fear is not mere dread but reverent recognition of the Lord’s reality and supremacy. In a place dominated by Diana’s cult and occult arts, the true God asserts His honor, preparing hearts for deep repentance and costly obedience.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And this came to the ears of all those, Jews and Greeks, who were living at Ephesus; and fear came on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was made great.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who are dwelling at Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And this became known to all the Jews and the Gentiles that dwelt a Ephesus. And fear fell on them all: and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who inhabited Ephesus, and fear fell upon all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Context
This follows the humiliating defeat of the sons of Sceva and functions as a turning point. The crowd’s fear leads directly to confession and repentance among many who had believed. The next verses describe believers openly declaring their deeds and burning valuable magic books, signaling a decisive break with old practices. The momentum culminates in a summary that the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 6:20
And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before Jehovah, this holy God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
- Luke 7:16
And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people.
- Psalms 64:9
And all men shall fear; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:12
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 2:9
Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name;
- Philippians 1:20
according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
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