Acts 19:13-16

Some Jews. These were "professional exorcists" who made their living by driving out evil spirits. Justin Martyr says that most of these Jewish exorcists had adopted the same superstitions and magic-aids as the heathen. Also tried to use the name. They thought the name of "Jesus Christ" was an incantation to drive out evil spirits. There were seven sons. Sceva may have been a chief priest at Jerusalem, who had been deposed. "High Priest" may only mean he was from a high-priestly family (compare Acts 4:6). But the evil spirit said to them. The spirit spoke and acted through the man he possessed. God may have directed this to show Paul's authority. [On demon possession, see note on Matthew 4:24.] Attacked them with such violence. This would show that they had no power at all over the evil spirit.