Who Are You?
Introduction
Review
Acts 19:11-20
Initial Reaction
Motives?
The expression translated “evoke the name” (ὀνομάζειν … τὸ ὄνομα) refers to the incantation of a formula that includes a name regarded as having the power to drive out evil spirits (τὰ πνεύματα τὰ πονηρά) from people. The belief that names have magical potency, that a higher power that resides in the knowledge of the name of a person or a god, is attested in numerous pagan texts.
The name of Jesus is not a magical device; only those empowered by God can liberate people from evil spirits. What is important about Paul is not his name or that Paul uses the name of Jesus in exorcisms, but the fact that Paul acknowledges the power of Jesus as the Lord and thus drives out evil spirits in the name of Jesus—a fact that is known in the spirit world.
Fear fell on them:
Someone evidently computed the value (τιμή) of these books: they were worth 50,000 silver coins (ἀργύρια; here: Attic silver drachmas), which amounts to the yearly wage (with no days off) of 137 workers.