Following the events of the last lesson, Paul spends the next three months disputing with the Jews in the synagogue in Ephesus, but with limited success. Evidently these meetings became so contentious that Paul thought it best to remove himself and his disciples from the situation and began meeting with them in the school of Tyrannus for the next two years (Acts 19:8-10). There seems to be some difference of opinion about just who Tyrannus was. The name is Greek (it means, prince) and it is thought he perhaps had a school of philosophy. However, others think he may have been a Jew and his school was actually a private synagogue. In either case, it is probable that Paul may have paid for the use of this room to provide a safer place to hold his meetings.
The description Luke gives in verse 9 of those who opposed Paul is noteworthy. He says they “were hardened”. This is from skleruno in the imperfect tense, indicating continuous action in the past. Skleruno is used figuratively several times to describe a hard heart, that is, one that is stubborn or unyielding. The idea here is that they vigorously and continuously resisted this new message that would require them to forsake their traditions and rituals and embrace a spiritual reality they did not (or, could not) understand. Then they “believed not” from apeitheo, to not be persuaded, again, in the same imperfect tense. This is the negative form of peitheo, to comply, be obedient or trust and illustrates their continued determination to resist the truth and accuracy of Paul’s reasoning regarding the Christ.
And finally, they “spoke evil of that way before the multitude”. The key here is “evil”, translated from kakos, and in this context it means, they maligned or said things that were not true (they lied) about the “way” (hodos, the pathway to God, Jesus called Himself the “Way” in John 14:6). I only point this out to illustrate the fact that human nature has not changed. When truth is inconvenient, popular ideas are challenged or selfish motives are threatened, it could be related to spiritual principles, it could be about moral, social or even political issues; some people will always follow this path. They will reject anything they perceive to be a threat to their own desires or beliefs, they will resist clear reason and truth and resort to lies, name calling and even violence against any who oppose them.
This brings us to Acts 19:11-12, “And God performed special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs and aprons that he had touched were taken to the sick and their diseases were cured and evil spirits came out of them.” The word “special” (found in the KJV, “extraordinary” in many other translations) is from tuchon, and means, not common. In other words, when Luke was writing this account, this was something neither he nor any of his companions had ever encountered before. These were, in fact, extraordinary or uncommon miracles.
And before we go any further with this, let me add at this point that it is obvious Paul was working to support his ministry. The handkerchiefs (soudarian, a cloth for wiping sweat from the face) and aprons (simikinthion, a linen covering for the lower body) would have been a necessary part of the tent making trade.
But let’s get back to this idea of special or uncommon miracles. There are no similar occurrences in scripture where God used miracles of this sort to put His stamp of authority or approval on any of His servants. The closest example would be Luke 8:43-48 where the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years was healed when she touched the edge of Jesus’ coat. So, let me put some historical perspective on this, if I may. In religion there have always been imitators of the true – those who claim the ability to duplicate the miraculous they see in scripture at their own timing and discretion.
And in the next 4 verses (13-16) Luke gives us the perfect example of that kind of imitation. Here, Luke tells us about a group of “vagabond” (this is perierchomai, traveling or itinerant) Jews who were “exorcists” (from exorkistes, one who employs a formula, reciting certain names believed to summon or expel spirits) and who took it upon themselves to begin using the name of Paul and Jesus in their attempts to cast out evil spirits. From this we can only assume they had heard of what was taking place in Ephesus, that somehow the name of Jesus and Paul was associated with the casting out of evil spirits and decided to take advantage of this for their own gain (verse 13).
Then, in addition to the vagabond exorcists, these uncommon miracles must have captured the imagination of the seven sons of Sceva, the chief priest in Ephesus, and seizing on what they thought was an opportunity for fame and fortune, they began to do the same (verse 14). And I love what happens next. One day they were doing this and the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (Verse 15) “Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them both and beat them so severely they ran out of that house naked and bleeding.” (Verse 16) And for the sake of clarification, I underlined “both” because that is what is found in the best texts. It is more reasonable that there were two brothers here, not all seven of them, as some translations indicate.
Now, before I end this lesson, I have to make a few observations. First is the issue of exorcists casting out evil spirits. Jesus exposes this in Matthew 12 when He casts out the evil spirit of a man who was blind and dumb and the man began to both see and speak (verse 22). The jealous Pharisees then accused Him of driving out demons only with the help of Beelzebub, the prince of demons (verse 24, Beelzebub is a derisive reference to Satan, meaning, the lord of the dunghill). Then Jesus, knowing what they were thinking, told them any kingdom divided against itself could not last (verse 25). Then He tells us why, “And if Satan drives out Satan, then how can his kingdom stand?” (Verse 26)
Without getting into a long, drawn out explanation of the grammatical structure here, I’ll just say the above phrase “And if Satan drives out Satan” is an example of what is called the first class or simple condition “if”. When ei (if) is followed by a verb in the indicative mood (always an assertion of fact), the statement is assumed to be true. In other words, what Jesus is saying in verse 26 is, “If Satan drives out Satan, and he certainly does, then how can his kingdom stand?”
One of Satan’s favorite deceptions is to cause the super-natural to happen, especially when the name of God is invoked. Think about it, what better way to deceive? People ask God for something, they get it, so they naturally think God was involved. Several years ago there was a movement that was known for their supposed ability to exorcise demons. They didn’t heed Jesus warning in Matthew 12:43-45 when He explained how this deadly game with Satan ends. After just a few short years of rapid growth, they experienced a similarly rapid decline with many of the more visible leaders leaving the movement and churches troubled by serious doctrinal error and immorality.
There are many religious types today who believe they can take authority over Satan and demons when and how they decide. They don’t understand Satan is the prince (ruler) and god of this world (John 12:31, 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4) and is not under their authority, but under God’s alone. And if they ever really have any authority over Satan or demons, it will be because God enables them, not because they decide to imitate what they see in scripture at their own discretion. The decline of the movement mentioned in the preceding paragraph is nothing more than God’s judgment in time on those who try to manipulate the ignorant and unsuspecting through their trafficking with demons.
At this juncture I must point out the reason those in religion have always tried to imitate what they see in scripture is the fact that God, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, has not performed legitimate miracles through them. So, in their fleshly attempt to gain a following and the worldly benefits that may bring, they attempt to do what the seven sons of Sceva did. You cannot, at your own choosing, duplicate what only God can do. Unscrupulous men will sell you their anointing oil or blessed handkerchiefs; as long as you’re willing to send them money. They’ll tell you God has given them an anointing to make you rich and all you have to do is send them your money – but who is really getting rich?