Acts 19:12
New International Version
so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

New Living Translation
When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

English Standard Version
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

Berean Standard Bible
so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them.

Berean Literal Bible
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons from his skin were brought to the ailing, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits left.

King James Bible
So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

New King James Version
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

New American Standard Bible
so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.

NASB 1995
so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.

NASB 1977
so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.

Legacy Standard Bible
so that cloths or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.

Amplified Bible
so that even handkerchiefs or face-towels or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out [of them].

Christian Standard Bible
so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so that even facecloths or work aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.

American Standard Version
insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.

Contemporary English Version
People even took handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul's body, and they carried them to everyone who was sick. All of the sick people were healed, and the evil spirits went out.

English Revised Version
insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
People would take handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul's skin to those who were sick. Their sicknesses would be cured, and evil spirits would leave them.

Good News Translation
Even handkerchiefs and aprons he had used were taken to the sick, and their diseases were driven away, and the evil spirits would go out of them.

International Standard Version
When handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his skin were taken to the sick, their diseases left them and evil spirits went out of them.

Majority Standard Bible
so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were brought to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them.

NET Bible
so that when even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his body were brought to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

New Heart English Bible
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out.

Webster's Bible Translation
So that from his body were brought to the sick, handkerchiefs, or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Weymouth New Testament
Towels or aprons, for instance, which Paul had handled used to be carried to the sick, and they recovered from their ailments, or the evil spirits left them.

World English Bible
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so that even to the ailing were brought from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them; the evil spirits also went forth from them.

Berean Literal Bible
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons from his skin were brought to the ailing, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits left.

Young's Literal Translation
so that even unto the ailing were brought from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the sicknesses departed from them; the evil spirits also went forth from them.

Smith's Literal Translation
So that also upon the sick were brought from his body napkins or aprons, and diseases were removed from them, and evil spirits came out of them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So that even there were brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the wicked spirits went out of them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so much so that even when small cloths and wrappings were brought from his body to the sick, the illnesses withdrew from them and the wicked spirits departed.

New American Bible
that when face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

New Revised Standard Version
so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So that even when, of the clothes on his body, pieces of garments were brought and laid upon the sick, diseases were cured, and even the insane were restored.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
So also napkins or rags which were placed upon his robe or his body were brought and placed on the sick, and the diseases were departing from them; even demons were going out.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried from his body to the sick, and diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits came out of them.

Godbey New Testament
so that napkins and aprons were carried from his body and placed on the sick, and diseases departed from them, and evil spirits went out of them.

Haweis New Testament
so that even from his skin there were brought handkerchiefs and aprons unto the diseased, and their disorders were chased from them, and the evil spirits came out of them.

Mace New Testament
or aprons that had touch'd his skin, to the distemper'd, they were cured, and the evil spirits came out of the possessed.

Weymouth New Testament
Towels or aprons, for instance, which Paul had handled used to be carried to the sick, and they recovered from their ailments, or the evil spirits left them.

Worrell New Testament
So that there were even carried from his body to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.

Worsley New Testament
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases lest them, and evil spirits went out of them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Ministers in Ephesus
11God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them. 13Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I bind you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”…

Cross References
Mark 5:27-29
When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. / For she kept saying, “If only I touch His garments, I will be healed.” / Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Matthew 9:20-22
Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak. / She said to herself, “If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.” / Jesus turned and saw her. “Take courage, daughter,” He said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that very hour.

Luke 8:44-48
She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. / “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked. But they all denied it. “Master,” said Peter, “the people are crowding and pressing against You.” / But Jesus declared, “Someone touched Me, for I know that power has gone out from Me.” ...

Acts 5:15-16
As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. / Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed.

2 Kings 4:29-31
So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.” / And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. / Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

2 Kings 13:20-21
And Elisha died and was buried. Now the Moabite raiders used to come into the land every spring. / Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders, so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. And as soon as his body touched the bones of Elisha, the man was revived and stood up on his feet.

Matthew 14:35-36
And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him / and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.

Mark 6:56
And wherever He went—villages and towns and countrysides—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.

John 14:12
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Acts 4:9-10
If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, / then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Acts 8:6-7
The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. / With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.

Acts 28:8-9
The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man. / After this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured as well.

1 Corinthians 12:9-10
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, / to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

2 Corinthians 12:12
The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.

Hebrews 2:4
and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.


Treasury of Scripture

So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 5:15
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

2 Kings 4:29-31
Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child…

2 Kings 13:20,21
And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year…

Jump to Previous
Ailing Ailments Aprons Bits Body Carried Clothing Cured Departed Diseases Evil Forth Handled Ill Illnesses Insomuch Instance Linen Paul Recovered Sick Spirits Touched Used Wicked
Jump to Next
Ailing Ailments Aprons Bits Body Carried Clothing Cured Departed Diseases Evil Forth Handled Ill Illnesses Insomuch Instance Linen Paul Recovered Sick Spirits Touched Used Wicked
Acts 19
1. The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands.
8. The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.
13. The Jewish exorcists,
16. are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit.
19. Conjuring books are burnt.
21. Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35. which is appeased by the town clerk.














so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him
This phrase highlights the extraordinary nature of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. The handkerchiefs and aprons refer to items commonly used by Paul in his tent-making trade (Acts 18:3). The fact that these items, which had merely touched Paul, were used to heal the sick underscores the power of God working through Paul. This mirrors the miracles of Jesus, such as the healing of the woman who touched the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:20-22). It also reflects the belief in the early church that physical objects associated with holy individuals could convey divine power, a concept seen in the use of Peter's shadow for healing (Acts 5:15).

were taken to the sick
The act of taking these items to the sick demonstrates the faith of the early Christians in the power of God to heal. It also shows the communal nature of the early church, where believers actively sought to help one another. This practice can be seen as an extension of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), where the disciples were instructed to go out and minister to others. The transportation of these items suggests a network of believers who were eager to see the power of God manifest in their communities.

and the diseases and evil spirits left them
This phrase indicates the dual nature of the afflictions being addressed: physical diseases and spiritual oppression. The healing of diseases and the casting out of evil spirits were central to Jesus' ministry (Mark 1:34) and were signs of the in-breaking of God's kingdom. The mention of evil spirits highlights the spiritual warfare present in Ephesus, a city known for its pagan practices and idolatry (Acts 19:19). The deliverance from evil spirits signifies the triumph of Christ's power over demonic forces, fulfilling prophecies of the Messiah's authority over evil (Isaiah 61:1). This also prefigures the ultimate victory over sin and death achieved through Christ's resurrection.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle whose ministry in Ephesus was marked by extraordinary miracles, including the healing of the sick through items that had touched him.

2. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor where Paul conducted a significant portion of his ministry. It was known for its temple to Artemis and was a center of pagan worship and magic.

3. Handkerchiefs and Aprons
Items that had touched Paul and were used to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits. These were likely personal items used by Paul in his tent-making trade.

4. The Sick
Individuals suffering from various illnesses who were healed through the miraculous power associated with Paul.

5. Evil Spirits
Demonic entities that were cast out as a result of the power of God working through Paul’s ministry.
Teaching Points
The Power of God in Ministry
God can work through ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary results. The use of handkerchiefs and aprons shows that God’s power is not limited by physical objects.

Faith and Expectation
The faith of those who believed that touching items associated with Paul could bring healing is a testament to the power of faith. Believers today are encouraged to have faith in God’s ability to work in miraculous ways.

Spiritual Warfare
The casting out of evil spirits signifies the authority believers have in Christ over demonic forces. Christians are called to stand firm in spiritual warfare, relying on God’s power.

The Role of Anointed Leaders
God often uses His anointed leaders to perform miracles and advance His kingdom. Believers should respect and support those whom God has called to lead.

The Importance of Holiness
The miracles performed through Paul’s ministry were a testament to his dedication and holiness. Christians are encouraged to live lives that are set apart for God’s purposes.(12) So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons.--Both words are, in the original, transliterated from the Latin, the former being sudaria, used to wipe off sweat from brow or face; the latter semicincta, the short aprons worn by artisans as they worked. We ask how St. Luke, passing over two years of labour in a few words, came to dwell so fully on these special facts. The answer may be found (1) in St. Luke's own habit of mind as a physician, which would lead him to dwell on the various phenomena presented by the supernatural gift of healing; (2) a further explanation may be found in the inference suggested in the Note on Acts 19:9. Such a report of special and extraordinary phenomena was likely enough to be made by a physician like Tyrannus to one of the same calling, and probably of the same faith. The picture suggested is that of devout persons coming to the Apostle as he laboured at his craft, and carrying away with them the very handkerchiefs and aprons that he had used, as precious relics that conveyed the supernatural gift of healing which he exercised. The efficacy of such media stands obviously on the same footing as that of the hem of our Lord's garment (see Note on Matthew 9:20-21), and the shadow of Peter (see Note on Acts 5:15), and, we may add, of the clay in the healing of the blind (see Note on John 9:6). The two conditions of the supernatural work of healing were a Divine Power on the one hand, and Faith on the other, and any external medium might serve to strengthen the latter and bring it into contact with the former. Cures more or less analogous, ascribed to the relics of saints, admit, in some measure, of a like explanation. Without pretending to draw a sharp line of demarcation between the natural and supernatural in such cases, it is clear that a strong belief in the possibility of a healing work as likely, or certain, to be accompanied by any special agent, does much to stimulate the activity of the vis medicatrix Naturae which before was passive and inert. It is not unreasonable to see in the works of healing so wrought a special adaptation to the antecedent habits of mind of a population like that of Ephesus. It was something for them to learn that the prayer of faith and the handkerchief that had touched the Apostle's skin had a greater power to heal than the charms in which they had previously trusted.

Verse 12. - Insomuch for so, A.V.; unto the sick were carried away from his body for from his body were brought unto the sick, A.V.; went out for went out of them, A.V. and T.R. From his body (χρωτός); literally, the skin, but used here by St. Luke for the body, in accordance with the usage of medical writers "from Hippocrates to Galen" (Hobart). Handkerchiefs; σουδάριον, the Latin word sudarium, properly a cloth for wiping off the sweat. It is one of those words, like κουστωδία κεντυρίων σημικίνθιον, κοδράντης, etc., which exactly represent the political condition of things at the time of the writers, who were living in a country where Greek was the language of common intercourse, but where the dominion was Roman. It is found in Luke 19:20; John 11:44; John 20:7, and here. Aprons; σιμικίνθια, more properly written σημικίνθια. It is the Latin word semicinctium, a half-girdle; the Greek word is ἡμιζώνιον. According to some, it was a narrow girdle, but according to others, and with more probability, an apron covering only half, i.e. the front of the body. It only occurs here in the New Testament or elsewhere. The careful mention of these cures of the sick may also be connected with St. Luke's medical profession. As regards these unusual modes of miraculous cure, comp. Acts 5:15. It might well be the Divine purpose, in the case of both Peter and Paul, to invest with such extraordinary power the very persons of the apostles who were to stand forth as his messengers and preach in his Name. In St. Paul this parity of miraculous energy stamped his apostleship with an authority equal to that of St. Peter.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
so that
ὥστε (hōste)
Conjunction
Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.

even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

handkerchiefs
σουδάρια (soudaria)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4676: A handkerchief, napkin. Of Latin origin; a sudarium, i.e. Towel.

and
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

aprons
σιμικίνθια (simikinthia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4612: An apron worn by artisans. Of Latin origin; a semicinctium or half-girding, i.e. Narrow covering.

that had touched him
χρωτὸς (chrōtos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5559: The skin, surface of the body. Probably akin to the base of chraomai through the idea of handling; the body.

were taken
ἀποφέρεσθαι (apopheresthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 667: To carry, bear away (sometimes with violence). From apo and phero; to bear off.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sick,
ἀσθενοῦντας (asthenountas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 770: To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

diseases
νόσους (nosous)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3554: A disease, malady, sickness. Of uncertain affinity; a malady.

and
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

evil
πονηρὰ (ponēra)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

spirits
πνεύματα (pneumata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

left
ἐκπορεύεσθαι (ekporeuesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 1607: From ek and poreuomai; to depart, be discharged, proceed, project.

them.
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Apostles: Acts 19:12 So that even handkerchiefs or aprons were (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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