Acts 19:16

Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:16

The verbs in the NKJV need a bit of a tune-up. It more closely reads, “And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, having leaped on them, and having overpowered them, prevailed against them, so that naked and wounded they fled out of that house” (CG).

In these words, we see a striking contrast to the previous verse. The words begin with, “And the man, in whom was the evil spirit.”

In the previous verse, it said, “the evil spirit said to them.” Now it says, “the man in whom was the evil spirit.” As such, it is a clear indication that the man was truly possessed. Not only did the spirit speak through him, but he also caused the man to act. That act is then described with the words, “having leaped on them, and having overpowered them.”

It should be noted that in some manuscripts, it says “both of them” instead of “them.” In other words, only two were overpowered. This seems unlikely as Luke had just clearly identified all seven sons. The only explanation for saying “both” would be that it is not referring to two sons of Sceva, but that it is referring to both classes mentioned in the previous verses, meaning the itinerant Jewish exorcists mentioned in verse 19:13 along with the seven sons of Sceva noted in verse 19:14.

Either way, at least seven and maybe more got a good pounding for their presumption. This is not at all impossible considering the state of the demoniac in the Gadarenes noted in Mark 5 –

“...no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.” Mark 5:3-5

The power of a person who could pull apart shackles and chains could also easily overcome a bunch of unprepared charlatans that made their money off of fooling the people with their supposed spiritual powers. After leaping on them and overpowering them, it says he “prevailed against them.”

Despite the numbers, he completely subdued them. This shows the power of a madman, whether by spirit, because of a medical condition, or by being energized through drugs. One in such a state should never be taken lightly. So violently did he tear at them and pound on them that Luke next notes, “so that naked and wounded they fled out of that house.”

The word translated as “naked” can mean either completely naked or disrobed but still wearing the undergarments. Either way, these men would have been humiliated, bruised, and bleeding as they fled from the power of this possessed man.

Life application: The truthfulness of this account is actually seen in what has not been recorded. Luke notes what happened, but if the record was written to show the supremacy of Paul’s doctrine over these false prophets, it would have included a continuation with words about Paul going to defeat the power of the evil spirit in the name of Jesus.

But this was not the intent of Luke’s writing. Rather, a brief and accurate description of what occurred was laid out detailing the power of Jesus to heal through Paul, even when Paul wasn’t physically present. On the other hand, a large number of men couldn’t subdue a single person who was possessed by an evil spirit.

As for what occurred, it should be a reminder to Christians to not get mixed up with nutty people who claim to exorcise demons and evil spirits. As they have nothing in Scripture to explain how this is to be done, there is every chance that such people will eventually face a good pounding, or worse, by taking things into their own hands.

Rather, if you suspect someone is possessed and want to help him, be ready to give him the gospel. If the person is willing to accept the good news, God will deal with him accordingly. Don’t try to be a hero when it is God who should handle the situation. Your job is to speak out the gospel. His job is to accomplish the work after that.

Lord God, help us to be wise in how we speak to others about the saving message of Jesus. May we carefully and cautiously speak forth the words You have given us to lead others to this saving knowledge. Beyond that, You will do what is right to bring them to Yourself on that great Day when You call us home. Give us wisdom in this, O God. Amen.