Acts 19:14 (KJV)

What does Acts 19:14 mean?

Acts 19:14 describes seven sons of a Jewish chief priest named Sceva who tried to do the same thing as others in the story—attempting to use the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits. The verse points out their identity and their actions, setting the stage for what happens next in the account.

In the setting of Acts 19, Paul is in Ephesus, and God is doing extraordinary miracles through him. Some local Jews, including these seven sons of Sceva, see this and try to imitate Paul’s use of Jesus’ name, even though they are not followers of Jesus themselves. This verse introduces these men and highlights their background as sons of a prominent Jewish religious leader, which adds weight to the story that follows.

The Greek behind Acts 19:14

• ἑπτὰ (hepta, "seven"): The Greek word for "seven" is used here, emphasizing that this was a group effort, not just one person acting alone.
• ἱερεὺς (hiereus, "priests"): This word refers to someone who serves in a religious role, specifically in the Jewish priesthood. The mention that Sceva was a "chief of the priests" suggests he held a significant position, making his sons’ actions more notable.
• ἐποίουν (epoioun, "did"): This verb means "were doing" or "kept doing," indicating that the sons of Sceva were repeatedly trying to perform these exorcisms, not just a one-time event.

Why Acts 19:14 matters

• Acts 19:14 clarifies that even people with religious authority or background, like the sons of a chief priest, did not automatically have spiritual power just by using Jesus’ name.
• The verse sets up the dramatic contrast between true faith and mere imitation, which becomes clear in the following verses when their attempt fails.
• By naming Sceva and his sons, the verse connects the story to real individuals and highlights the influence and curiosity Jesus’ name had, even among those outside the early Christian community.