Acts 19:14

14 And there were [some] seven sons of a Jew, Sceva, a prince of priests, that did this thing.

Acts 19:14 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 19:14

And there were seven sons of one Sceva a Jew
Who strolled about the country, and used exorcisms: and

chief of the priests;
that were at Ephesus; not the high priest of the Jews, for he would have been at Jerusalem, and not at Ephesus; though indeed it does not necessarily follow from the words, that Sceva himself was there, only his seven sons: however, no such name appears in the catalogue of the Jewish high priests, nor is it reasonable to think, that seven sons of an high priest should follow such a vagabond course of life: Beza's ancient copy only calls him "a priest"; and the Alexandrian copy reads his name, Sceuta, and the Ethiopic version omits it; it is the same with (hawko) , and signifies a spectator, or observer; see the Targum on ( 2 Samuel 13:34 ) ( Isaiah 21:6 ) .

which did so;
adjured the devils in the name of Jesus, to come out; at least they did so in one case, as follows.

Acts 19:14 In-Context

12 so that on sick men the napkins [the sudaria, or girdles], were borne from his body, and sicknesses departed from them, and wicked spirits went out.

13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists went about, and assayed to call the name of the Lord Jesus Christ on them that had evil spirits, and said [+Forsooth and some of the Jewish exorcists, or conjurers, going about, attempted to in-call the name of the Lord Jesus Christ on them that had evil spirits, saying], I conjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth.

14 And there were [some] seven sons of a Jew, Sceva, a prince of priests, that did this thing.

15 But the evil spirit answered, and said to them, I know Jesus, and I know Paul; but who be ye?

16 And the man in which was the worst devil, leaped on them, and had victory on both [and having lordship of both], and was strong against them, that they naked and wounded fled away from that house.