Luke 10:17

Verse 17. The devils are subject unto us. The devils obey us. We have been able to cast them out.

Through thy name.When commanded in thy name to come out of those who are possessed.

Acts 5:16

Verse 16. There came also, etc. Attracted by the fame of Peter's miracles, as the people formerly had been by the miracles of the Lord Jesus.

Vexed. Troubled, afflicted, or tormented.

Unclean spirits. Possessed with devils; called unclean because they prompted to sin and impurity of life. Mt 4:23,24.

And they were healed. Of these persons it is expressly affirmed that they were healed. Of those who were so laid as that the shadow of Peter might pass over them, there is no such affirmation.

(a) "bringing sick folks" Mk 16:17,18, Jn 14:12 (b) "and they were healed" Jas 5:16

Acts 8:7

Verse 7. For unclean spirits. Mt 4:24.

Crying with loud voice. Mk 1:26.

Palsies. Mt 4:24.

(e) "unclean spirits" Mk 16:17 (f) "palsies" Mk 2:3-11, Acts 9:33,34 (g) "lame" Mt 11:5

Acts 16:18

Verse 18. But Paul, being grieved. Being molested, troubled, offended. Paul was grieved, probably,

(1.) because her presence was troublesome to him;

(2.) because it might be said that he was in alliance with her, and that his pretensions were just like hers;

(3) because what she did was for the sake of gain, and was a base imposition;

(4.) because her state was one of bondage and delusion, and it was proper to free her from this demoniacal possession; and,

(5.) because the system under which she was acting was a part of a vast scheme of delusion and imposture, which had spread over a large portion of the pagan world, and which was then holding it in bondage. Throughout the Roman empire, the inspiration of the priestesses of Apollo was believed in; and temples were everywhere reared to perpetuate and celebrate the delusion. Against this extensive system of imposture and fraud, Christianity must oppose itself; and this was a favourable instance to expose the delusion, and to show the power of the Christian religion over all the arts and powers of imposture. The mere fact that in a very few instances--of which this was one--they spoke the truth, did not make it improper for Paul to interpose. That fact would only tend to perpetuate the delusion, and to make his interposition more proper and necessary. The expulsion of the evil spirit would also afford a signal proof of the fact that the apostles were really from God. A far better proof than her noisy and troublesome proclamation of it would furnish.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Or, by the authority of Jesus Christ. Acts 3:6.

(g) "said to the spirit" Mk 1:25,34 (h) "he came out" Mk 16:17

Acts 19:12

Verse 12. So that from his body. That is, these handkerchiefs which had been applied to his body, which he had used, or which he had touched. An instance somewhat similar to this occurs in the case of the woman who was healed by touching the hem of the Saviour's garment, Mt 9:20-22.

Unto the sick. The sick who were at a distance, and who were unable to go where he was. If it be asked why this was done, it may be observed,

(1.) that the working of miracles in that region would greatly contribute to the spread of the gospel.

(2.) We are not to suppose that there was any efficacy in the aprons thus brought, or in the mere fact that they had touched the body of Paul, any more than there was in the hem of the Saviour's garment which the woman touched, or in the clay which he made use of to open the eyes of the blind man, Jn 8:6.

(3.) In this instance the fact, that the miracles were wrought in this manner by garments which had touched his body, was a mere sign, or an evidence to the persons concerned, that it was done by the instrumentality of Paul, as the fact that the Saviour put his fingers into the ears of a deaf man, and spit and touched his tongue, Mk 7:33, was an evidence to those who saw it, that the power of healing came from him. The bearing of these aprons to the sick was, therefore, a mere sign, or evidence to all concerned, that miraculous power was given to Paul.

Handkerchiefs. The word used here--σουδαρια--is of Latin origin, and properly denotes a piece of linen with which sweat was wiped from the face; and then any piece of linen used for tying up, or containing anything, In Lk 19:20, it denotes the "napkin" in which the talent of the unprofitable servant was concealed; in Jn 11:44, 20:7, the "napkin" which was used to bind up the face of the dead, applied to Lazarus and to our Saviour.

Or aprons. σιμικινθια. This also is a Latin word, and means, literally, a half-girdle--a piece of cloth which was girded round the waist to preserve the clothes of those who were engaged in any kind of work. The word aprons expresses the idea.

And the diseases departed. The sick were healed.

And the evil spirits. Mt 4:24. It is evident that this power of working miracles would contribute greatly to Paul's success among the people.

(h) "handkerchiefs or aprons" Acts 5:15
Copyright information for Barnes