Acts 19:13-16 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists Dr. Whitby, and several other critics, have produced many passages from Irenæus, Origen, Epiphanius, and Josephus, to prove that several of the Jews, about this time, pretended to a power of casting out devils, particularly by some arts or charms derived from Solomon. These men are called vagabond Jews, and exorcists, because they strolled through the countries of the Lesser Asia, practising that magic which was in such vogue among the heathen. But when they came to Ephesus, hearing of the wonderful things which Paul performed in the name of Jesus, and, perhaps, seeing some of them, they took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus Vain undertaking! Satan laughs at all those who attempt to expel him, either out of the bodies or souls of men, except by divine faith. Saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth They do not say whom we believe in, or depend upon, or have authority from; but whom Paul preacheth As if they had said, We will try what that name will do. The exorcists in the Roman Church, who pretend to cast the devil out of melancholy people, by spells and charms which they understand not, and for which they have not any divine warrant, and, therefore, cannot use them in faith, are the followers of these vagabond Jews. There were seven sons of one Sceva A Jewish chief priest, who did this, desirous of the honour or profit which they thought would redound from such cures, and imagining there was some secret charm in the name of Jesus, to which these infernal agents would submit. But the evil spirit Contemning their adjuration; answered, Jesus I know, and Paul I know I know the authority and power of Jesus and Paul, and am ready to obey them; but who are ye? What power have you to command us in his name? Or, who gave you any such power? And the man, in whom the evil spirit was, leaped, or sprung, on them, and overcame them To such a degree, as to tear off their clothes from their backs, and beat them with great violence; so that they fled out of the house In which they had attempted the cure; naked and wounded And became public spectacles of scorn and derision, in a city where these things were peculiarly regarded. This is written for a warning to all those who name the name of Christ, but do not depart from iniquity. The same enemy, that overcomes them with his temptations, will overcome them with his terrors, and their adjuring him in Christ's name to let them alone, will be no security to them. If we resist the devil by a true and lively faith in Christ, he will flee from us; but if we think to resist him by the bare using of Christ's name, or any part of his word, as a spell or charm, or by merely professing his religion, he will prevail against us.