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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Acts 19:13 - 19:13
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Here observe, 1. That we read not of any in the Old Testament that were bodily possessed with devils and evil spirits: but, in the New Testament, we meet with many both in our Saviour's time and also in the apostles', to the intent that the power of Christ might more signally appear in their ejection and casting out.
Observe, 2. How some of the Jewish exorcists, like our jugglers, who make it their trade to wander up and down, to get a livelihood by pretending to cure diseases, and cast out devils, seeing what great miracles Paul had wrought in the name of Jesus, attempted to cast a devil out of a possessed man, by using the same name, though in Jesus they believed not. But Satan was so far from obeying them, that he made the possessed man fall violently upon them and wound them.
Thence learn, 1. That Satan scorns all human attempts, as weak and impotent, and is conquered only by a divine power; Jesus I know; but who are ye?
Learn, 2. That the devil would gladly be God's ape. The Jewish jugglers would by all means imitate the apostles in casting out devils; accordingly they use the name of Jesus as a charm; but saying the same word with the apostles signified nothing, without exercising the same faith and grace. These exorcists soon found that words without faith would not work to cast out devils, and that Christ would not give power to his name when used as a charm.
Learn, 3. That the devil, by God's permission, has power over those who profane the name of Christ. Satan here was too hard for these conjurers; he rushes upon them, and masters them, tears their clothes, wounds their bodies, and, had not God restrained him, had unavoidably destroyed them. Satan's malice is infinite, but his power is limited and bounded.
Lord! abate his power, since his malice cannot be abated.
Observe, lastly, How this execution of divine vengenance wrought wonderfully for the conviction and conversion both of Jews and Greeks, ver. 18. Many believed, and came and confessed their sinful deeds. And as an evidence of their detestation of their former faults and follies, they make a bonfire of all their magical books; burning so many of them, as the learned say, the price amounted to eight hundred pounds. Thus these conjurors evidenced themselves to be real converts, by plucking out their right eye, and cutting off their right hand; that is, sacrificing their bosom and best beloved lust and corruption.
Thence learn, That there is no better evidence of the truth of a person's conversion, than cheerfully to part with a very profitable and pleasing lust.