Surprise! Surprise! Acts 19:11-20
I. Special Miracles (v.11-12)
We can’t accomplish what we are called to do on our own power. Literally it means "sweat cloth." These miracles are described as "special miracles." They were unique. The word used shows these "special" miracles were no ordinary or chance happenings. They were intended, no doubt, to emulate the healing power of the Lord's own garments (Mark 5:27; 6:56) and to enhance the authority of Paul's evangelistic efforts at Ephesus.
A. Power Over Disease (v.12b) ... the diseases departed from them... No need to go to a doctor, no need to enter the hospital. Sicknesses of all kinds were simply healed. The medical science of the day could neither diagnose nor name most of the sicknesses. Luke the physician says: "The diseases departed," and the word means to be delivered or set free.
B. Power Over Demons (v.12c) ... and the evil spirits went out of them.
The same thing happened to those who were in bondage to evil spirits. His talk to the Ephesian elders reflects the high tone of Paul's spiritual life (Acts 20:17-38).
II. Shameful Men (v.13-14)
A. They were deceivers (v.13)
Our skeptical age denies the existence of demons; yet there is increasing evidence that we are on the threshold of an occult invasion. Demons can be exorcised by those who know how. Some Jewish exorcists tried to enhance their reputation by invoking that all-glorious name.
That is what these wandering Jews sought to do. They were actually taking that name in vain. Probably Sceva was a member of the local Ephesian Jewish Sanhedrin. His sons laid claim to the special knowledge deemed necessary to cast out demons using the name of Jesus.
B. They were demoralized (v.15-17)
1. A testimony from the spirit world (v.15)Jesus I know and Paul I know; but who are you The evil spirits knew Jesus all right. They knew Him and trembled at His name. Time and again He had defeated Satan, their master. They knew Jesus. When the demon said, "Jesus I know," he used ginōskō, meaning to know by experience or knowledge.
The vast experience demons had acquired of the human race was of no use to them when confronted with Jesus. He was man as God always intended man to be. He was holy and harmless and separate from sinners. He did not give in to temptation, because he was encased in an impenetrable armor of personal holiness. They learned by experience they were no match for Him.
They knew Paul, too. They had known him for some time. The word used when the demon said "Paul I know" is epistamai, meaning to know by reason of proximity or as the result of prolonged attention.
This evil spirit had been hanging around Paul, watching and studying him. He was not going to tamper with Paul. He was almost as much afraid of Paul as he was of Paul's Master. 2. A tragedy with consequences (v.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.
The spirit that possessed the wretched demoniac and that the sons of Sceva sought to oppose was a terrible one. It gave the man the strength of seven men. The demon, enraged at the clumsy attempt to exorcise him attacked. Wounded and scared to death, they ran naked out of the house and fled for their very lives.
3. A triumph of the Gospel (v.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.
This was the climate in which Paul preached the gospel at Ephesus. People were awed at what was happening. There was power—soul-saving, demon-conquering, life-transforming power—in the name of Jesus. Churches also have a name or reputation.