Skip to content
mannafest.faith
Read

Acts 19:17

in Acts 19

This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

KJV

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

⋯

This verse in Acts 19

Commentary

6 notes on this verse
The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified - Acquired increasing honor. The transaction showed that the miracles performed in the name of the Lord Jesus by Paul were real, and were performed in attestation of the truth of the doctrine which he taught. Impostors could not work such miracles; and they who pretended to be able to do it only exposed themselves to the rage of evil spirits. It was thus shown that there was a real, vital difference between Paul and these impostors, and their failure only served to extend his reputation and the power of the gospel.

This site's exposition

fear came over all of them

on Acts 19:17-19

Many who had believed now came forward, confessing their deeds. Those who had practiced magic arts, for which Ephesus was famous, burned their books in front of everyone. The total came to fifty thousand drachmas, about fifty thousand days' wages for a laborer.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 41 · Written before 407.

proposed

"And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of them that had believed came confessing and making known their practices." For since they had got to possess such power as, by means of the demons, to do such things, well might this be the consequence. Look, in every case, how men are converted not so much in consequence of good things as of things fearful. In the case of Sapphira, fear fell upon the Church, and men dared not join themselves to them: here they received handkerchiefs and aprons, and were healed: and after this, then they came confessing their sins. Hereby the power of the demons is shown to be a great one, when it is against unbelievers.

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

It was the common talk of the town; and the effect of it was, (1.) That men were terrified: fear fell on them all. In this instance they saw the malice of the devil whom they served, and the power of Christ whom they opposed; and both were awful considerations. They saw that the name of Christ was not to be trifled with, nor his religion compounded with pagan superstitions.
And this was known to all the Jews,....

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified - They saw that there was a sovereign power in the name of Jesus, which could not be imitated by these lying exorcists: they therefore reverenced this name, and despised those pretenders. Exorcisms or adjurations of evil spirits were very frequent in the primitive Church: the name of Jesus was that alone which was used. The primitive fathers speak strong and decisive words concerning the power of this name; and how demons were tormented and expelled by it, not only from individuals, but from the temples themselves. Exorcists formed a distinct class an the Church; hence we read of presbyters, deacons, exorcists, lectors, and door-keepers. The adjuration was commonly used over the catechumens, before they were admitted to baptism. Gregory of Nazianzen, and Cyril of Jerusalem speak much of this rite. See my Succession of Sacred Literature, under Cyril, and Gregory Nazianzen; and see Suicer, under εξορκισμος.

The words behind it

26 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Colossians 3:17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.14 worksPsalms 34:3Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.13 worksActs 5:11And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.7 worksPsalms 40:16May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!”5 works2 Thessalonians 1:12so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.4 works1 Timothy 5:20But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.4 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
2 Thessalonians 3:1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.3 worksActs 13:12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.3 worksPhilippians 2:9–11Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,3 worksPhilippians 1:20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.3 worksActs 5:5On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.3 worksActs 5:13Although the people regarded them highly, no one else dared to join them.3 worksActs 14:1At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.3 worksActs 18:19When they reached Ephesus, Paul parted ways with Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews.3 worksJohn 17:10All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified.3 worksLuke 1:65All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.2 worksLeviticus 10:3Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.2 works1 Samuel 6:20The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?”2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    2 Thessalonians 3:1

    Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.

    it leads to

    • 1 Thessalonians 5:25

      Brothers, pray for us as well.

    • Colossians 4:3

      as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

    • Ephesians 6:19–20

      Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,

    • 1 Corinthians 16:9

      because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

    • Acts 19:20

      So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.

  • Through

    Acts 5:11

    And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.

    it leads to

    • Acts 5:5

      On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.

    • 1 Corinthians 10:11–12

      Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

  • Through

    2 Thessalonians 1:12

    so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    it leads to

    • 2 Thessalonians 1:10

      on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Pentecost, El Greco, about 1600, Museo del Prado. Public domain.
The Pentecost, El Greco, about 1600, Museo del Prado. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 19 →

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Albert Barnes, Notes on Acts; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 41; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and William Ramsay, The Church in the Roman Empire.

Read on in Acts 19 →