Acts 19:9-23
8-10. he went into the synagogue and spake boldly for ... three months, &c.--See on Ac 17:2, 3. 11-12. God wrought special--no ordinary miracles by the hands of Paul--implying that he had not been accustomed to work such. 13. vagabond Jews--simply, "wandering Jews," who went from place to place practicing exorcism, or the art of conjuring evil spirits to depart out of the possessed. That such a power did exist, for some time at least, seems implied in Mt 12:27. But no doubt this would breed imposture; and the present case is very different from that referred to in Lu 9:49, 50. We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth--a striking testimony to the power of Christ's name in Paul's mouth. 14-17. seven sons of ... Sceva ... chief of the priests--head, possibly, of one of the twenty-four courts. 18-20. many that believed came and confessed ... their deeds--the dupes of magicians, &c., acknowledging how shamefully they had been deluded, and how deeply they had allowed themselves to be implicated in such practices. 21-22. After these things were ended--completed, implying something like a natural finish to his long period of labor at Ephesus. Paul purposed ... when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem ... After I have been there, I must also see Rome--Mark here the vastness of the apostle's missionary plans. They were all fulfilled, though he "saw Rome" only as a prisoner. 23. the same time--of Paul's proposed departure. about that--"the" way--So the new religion seemed then to be designated (Ac 9:2; 22:4; 24:14).
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