Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 19]
(2Ki 2:13). Some even sought help from Peter's shadow (Ac
5:15).
19:13 {Of the strolling Jews, exorcists} (\t•n perierchomen•n
Ioudai•n exorkist•n\). These exorcists travelled around (\peri\)
from place to place like modern Gypsy fortune-tellers. The Jews
were especially addicted to such practices with spells of sorcery
connected with the name of Solomon (Josephus, _Ant_. VIII. 2.5).
See also Tobit 8:1-3. Jesus alludes to those in Palestine (Mt
12:27; Lu 11:19). The exorcists were originally those who
administered an oath (from \exorkiz•\, to exact an oath), then to
use an oath as a spell or charm. Only instance here in the N.T.
These men regarded Paul as one of their own number just as Simon
Magus treated Simon Peter. Only here these exorcists paid Paul
the compliment of imitation instead of offering money as Magus
did. {To name over} (\onomazein epi\). They heard what Paul said
and treated his words as a magic charm or spell to drive the evil
spirits out. {I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth}
(\Horkiz• humas ton I•soun hon Paulos k•russei\). Note two
accusatives with the verb of swearing (cf. Mr 5:7) as a
causative verb (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 483). The papyri furnish
numerous instances of \horkiz•\ in such constructions (Deissmann,
_Bible Studies_, p. 281). Note also the article with Jesus, "the
Jesus," as if to identify the magic word to the demons with the
addition "whom Paul preaches." They thought that success turned
on the correct use of the magical formula. The Ephesian mysteries
included Christianity, so they supposed.
19:14 {Seven sons of Sceva} (\Skeu• hepta huioi\). Who this Sceva
was we do not know. If a high priest, he was highly connected in
Jerusalem (cf. 5:24). Some MSS. have ruler instead of priest.
His name may be Latin in origin. \Skeu•\ has Doric form of
genitive. But that he had seven sons in this degraded business
shows how Judaism had fared poorly in this superstitious city.
Did they imagine there was special power in the number seven?
19:15 {Jesus I know} (\ton I•soun gin•sk•\). "The (whom you
mention) Jesus I recognize (\gin•sk•\)" and "the (whom you
mentioned) Paul I am acquainted with (\ton Paulon epistamai\)."
Clear distinction between \gin•sk•\ and \epistamai\. {But who are
ye?} (\humeis de tines este?\). But you, who are you? Emphatic
prolepsis.
19:16 {Leaped on them} (\ephalomenos ep' autous\). Second aorist
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