Who were the seven sons of Sceva?

Scriptural Reference and Summary

Acts 19:13–16 provides the direct account: “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits 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.’ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. Eventually the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?’ Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. They fled from that house naked and wounded.”

Historical and Cultural Context

At the time of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, magic arts and exorcisms were not uncommon. Numerous texts from the first century (including discussions by Josephus in “Antiquities of the Jews” 8.2.5, where he references various exorcistic practices among Jewish people) show that wandering exorcists roamed different regions, attempting to cast out evil spirits by invoking names they believed held supernatural power.

Ephesus was a prominent city in Asia Minor, famous for the Temple of Artemis. Archaeological excavations, such as those around the Celsus Library and the large theater mentioned later in Acts 19, confirm this city’s grandeur and cultural milieu. Within such a spiritually charged setting, the actions of Sceva’s sons illustrate how some sought to harness Jesus’ name as a mere tool for power—without truly knowing Him or having His authority.

Identity of Sceva

Acts 19:14 calls Sceva “a Jewish chief priest.” Scripture does not indicate that he served as an official high priest in Jerusalem; he may have been an elder or leading priestly figure, or descended from a priestly line. Regardless, Luke underscores that Sceva’s sons believed they could leverage priestly heritage and the name of Jesus for their own exorcisms.

The Attempted Exorcism

Paul’s powerful ministry (Acts 19:11–12) included miracles and exorcisms performed in the name of Jesus. Observers who lacked a genuine relationship with Christ tried to replicate those works. The seven sons of Sceva, seeing Paul’s success in delivering people from demonic oppression, proceeded to invoke Jesus’ name as though it were a formula.

However, as Acts 19:15 reveals, the evil spirit challenged them: “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” This indicates that spiritual beings acknowledge genuine authority that comes from God, which the sons of Sceva did not possess. The possessed individual then turned on them, inflicting physical harm and sending them running “naked and wounded” (Acts 19:16).

Spiritual Realities and Authority

This incident highlights a consistent theological theme: true authority to address spiritual opposition rests not in titles or mere words but in a living relationship with God. Elsewhere, Scripture confirms that demons do indeed recognize the authority of Christ (Mark 1:24, for instance). In Acts 19, the sons of Sceva’s failure demonstrates that simply using the name of Jesus, absent genuine faith and the indwelling Holy Spirit, amounts to no real power.

Aftermath in Ephesus

This startling event in Ephesus prompted fear and reverence for the name of Jesus. Acts 19:17–20 shows that “fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.” Many who had practiced sorcery publicly burned their scrolls, a significant renunciation of occult activities. The immediate, tangible response in Ephesus—people destroying valuable items to distance themselves from pagan and occult practices—reflects the authenticity of the powerful move of God in that city.

Reliability of the Account

The description of the seven sons of Sceva appears in all major manuscript traditions of the Book of Acts, including Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, both dating to the fourth century. Modern New Testament textual scholars, drawing from thousands of Greek manuscripts, reaffirm Acts as a well-preserved historical record. Archaeological discoveries in Ephesus (such as the remains of the theater where later in Acts 19 a riot occurs) confirm the city’s significance, matching Luke’s geographical details. These correlations strengthen the historical reliability of the narrative.

Key Lessons

• Authentic Authority in Christ: Merely speaking Jesus’ name or citing biblical words does not confer authority without a genuine relationship with Him.

• Danger of Imitation without Faith: Attempting to appropriate spiritual power without faith in the resurrected Christ invites failure and exposes one’s vulnerability.

• Growth of the Early Church: The striking downfall of the seven sons led many Ephesians to reject occultism and magnify Jesus, illustrating how even failed attempts at exorcism can testify to God’s authentic power.

• Confirmation of the Spiritual Realm: The passage supports the broader biblical worldview of spiritual warfare, consistent with accounts found throughout the Gospels and Acts.

Overall, the account of the seven sons of Sceva underscores that spiritual authority and deliverance can come only through a true connection with Jesus, who holds power over all creation. Their story serves as an enduring reminder that external rites and formulas cannot replace a personal, saving faith in the resurrected Christ.