Paragraph 19:13–16
19:13a
some itinerant Jewish exorcists: The phrase itinerant Jewish exorcists indicates that these Jews went to a number of towns, perhaps staying only a short time in each one. They forced evil spirits to leave people whom they possessed. Other ways to translate this clause are:
some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Some Jews who traveled around and drove out evil spirits (Good News Translation)
-or-
A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Some Jews used to travel from place to place and force evil spirits out of people. (God’s Word)
some itinerant Jewish exorcists: 19:15–16 probably implies that these Jews did not believe in Jesus. Do not indicate or imply that they believed in Jesus.
19:13b
who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits: These Jews probably heard how successful Paul was, even the story about the handkerchiefs and aprons (19:12). So 19:13b indicates that they tried to copy what Paul said to demons.
to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus: The word invoke indicates that these Jews used the name of Jesus as a source of power to force the demons to leave. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
to use the name of the Lord Jesus (Good News Translation)
-or-
to call the name of the Lord Jesus
Lord: This word means “the one in authority over others” or “master.” Jesus rules over all things. See how you translated this word in 15:11 or 18:8.
those with evil spirits: The phrase with evil spirits indicates that an evil spirit controlled a person’s thoughts and actions. An evil spirit could also cause the person to be sick. Some ways to translate this phrase are:
those who had evil spirits (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
people who were possessed by evil spirits (New Jerusalem Bible)
The context already indicates that these evil spirits possessed people. Some English versions do not translate the phrase those with evil spirits. They allow the context to imply the meaning of this phrase. For example:
13aSome Jews who traveled around and drove out evil spirits 13balso tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to do this. (Good News Translation)
-or-
13aA group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. 13bThey tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, (New Living Translation (2004))
19:13c
They would say: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as They would say:
(1) It is a historical present and connects to “tried” (19:13b). The seven men only tried this once. For example:
They said (Good News Translation)
(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible)
(2) The present tense indicates the seven men said this more than once. For example:
they would say (Revised English Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the verb “tried” in 19:13b only indicates that the seven men only tried this once.
I bind you:
Some English versions add after I bind you the phrase “to come out.” It is implied from the context. The Jews wanted to command the evil spirits to leave people.
by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims: The phrase by Jesus refers to the power and authority of Jesus. Speaking his name connects to that power and authority. These Jews wanted Jesus to force the evil spirits to leave. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
by Jesus whom Paul preaches (NET Bible)
-or-
in the name of that same Jesus that Paul preaches about (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
by ⌊the power of the one/man⌋ named Jesus, whom Paul preaches
proclaims: This word refers to publicly announcing something. Paul announced the good news about Jesus as the Christ. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
preaches (New International Version)
-or-
talks about (God’s Word)
-or-
is telling people
See how you translated this word in 8:4 or 17:13.
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