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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Acts 19:13 - 19:13
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Act 19:13. Ἐπεχείρησαν, took in hand, attempted) And yet there was no room for temerity in the case of such matters. Comp. Heb 11:29, 1Ma 5:57, etc., concerning unseasonable imitation:-περιερχομένων, going about, vagabond) as impostors (jugglers) are wont to do.-τοὺς ἔχοντας, them who had) This is plural; but the singular in Act 19:15. If the attempt had succeeded once, they would have dared to do it oftener.-ὀνομάζειν, to name) though they were in other respects aliens to Him, and void of the power of faith. “They say, whom Paul preacheth, as if they would say, We will try whether evil spirits go out in (by) this name: in short, there was no faith in them; but Satan is to be overcome by no forms of speech, and by no works, but by faith alone in the Word of GOD: wherefore also the very cunning spirit, seeing in this case that they have not faith, nor the word of GOD deeply fixed in their heart, laughs at their attempt. The expulsion of Satan from demoniacs is only an adumbration of the expulsion of Satan in ordinary cases from the hearts of all men. But even as he here mocked at those who attempt to effect the expulsion from demoniacs by a mere literal invocation of the name of Jesus without faith: so he derided, and in the present day laughs at, those who have attempted by works to deliver themselves from his power, ex. gr. priests and monks, etc.; for he then first began to have dominion over them, and to treat them altogether as he pleased. Satan is a most crafty spirit, as compared with whose cunning and strength all the light of reason is nothing. His cunning is not known except through the Holy Ghost; and he is not to be expelled except in the exercise of true faith, and by the most spiritual.”-Justus Jonas.-ὀνομάζειν τὸ ὄνομα, to name the name) A frequent phrase in the LXX. In the Hebrew there is added to the word שם, the verb הזכיר or נקב or קרא.-Ἰησοῦν, Jesus) “They use the appellation, Jesus, simply, whereas they ought to have called Him the Saviour of the world, who had risen from the dead.”-Chrysost.