King James Version

What Does Acts 19:16 Mean?

Acts 19:16 in the King James Version says “And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

Acts 19:16 · King James Version


Context

14

And there were seven sons of one Sceva , a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17

And 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.

18

And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
'The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.' This violent response demonstrated the danger of spiritual warfare without spiritual authority. Their humiliation - fleeing naked and wounded - publicly exposed their powerlessness. Attempting spiritual ministry without Christ's authority invites disaster.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This incident became widely known in Ephesus (Acts 19:17), serving as warning against magical manipulation and encouraging genuine faith in Christ. The physical beating illustrated spiritual defeat.

Reflection Questions

  1. What dangers face those who attempt spiritual ministry without Christ's authority?
  2. How does this incident warn against treating Christianity as magic or technique?
  3. What does genuine spiritual authority require?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
καὶ1 of 28

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐφαλλόμενος2 of 28

“leaped”

G2177

to spring upon

ἐπ'3 of 28

“on”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτῶν,4 of 28

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ5 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνθρωπος6 of 28

“the man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐν7 of 28

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ᾧ8 of 28

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἦν9 of 28

“was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

τὸ10 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμα11 of 28

“spirit”

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

τὸ12 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πονηρὸν13 of 28

“the evil”

G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455

καὶ14 of 28

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κατακυριεύσας15 of 28

“overcame”

G2634

to lord against, i.e., control, subjugate

αὐτῶν,16 of 28

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἴσχυσεν17 of 28

“and prevailed”

G2480

to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)

κατ'18 of 28

“against”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

αὐτῶν,19 of 28

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὥστε20 of 28

“so”

G5620

so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)

γυμνοὺς21 of 28

“naked”

G1131

nude (absolute or relative, literal or figurative)

καὶ22 of 28

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τετραυματισμένους23 of 28

“wounded”

G5135

to inflict a wound

ἐκφυγεῖν24 of 28

“that they fled”

G1628

to flee out

ἐκ25 of 28

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ26 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἴκου27 of 28

“house”

G3624

a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)

ἐκείνου28 of 28

“that”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 19:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 19:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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