The Sons of Sceva (Acts 19) #Fiction (Part 1)

“I’m not ashamed of standing before you with only the Gospel; it is the power of salvation for all of us,” Paul said it simply, “the righteous will live by faith, not by works.”

The apostle Paul from Tarsus, in present-day Turkey, was hand-picked by Jesus to travel the Roman Empire, proclaiming the good news of Christ. Once a merciless persecutor of the early church, Paul became one of the most influential men in history, and certainly the greatest Christian author ever to write.

Ephesus, a major Roman coastal city, part of western Asia Minor (now Turkey), was established over 500 years before Christ. Greek to its core, it hosted the chief shrine of Artemis, the Library of Celsus and its theater, which was capable of holding 25,000 spectators. Although once a prominent commercial hub, Ephesus was destroyed by the Goths in 263 AD.

Paul worked miracles in Ephesus, baptizing and laying on hands; he even found a few stray disciples who’d never heard of the Holy Spirit.

“Into what exactly were you baptized?” Paul said incredulously. Patiently Paul walked them through their response; they thought they were washed by John’s baptism.

They were eager to hear from the mystical teacher, “you don’t understand what John meant; he always pointed the way to Jesus,” he instructed, “remember how John said ‘the kingdom is at hand’ reminding everyone he was not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.” “John the Baptist made it very clear he was speaking about Jesus.”

Paul further implored, “it’s more than baptism, it’s about repentance,” it did not take very long to explain how big was the difference; eventually agreeing, they were baptized in Jesus’ name.

Paul's journeys

As part of Paul’s ministry team these disciples followed him to the synagogue and also when he taught at the Tyrannus Ephesian School. He preached in this region for a long time, converting many, doing extraordinary deeds. His third journey led him back to Ephesus; indeed it was so successful that any clothes or aprons Paul touched became talismans. Sometimes even a touch from something Paul once held was enough to authentically heal sickness or cast out evil. It was an astonishing time in Ephesus.

Never spoken of as “Exorcism,” these practices were common in this superstitious age; however, only Christian apostles were sent by Jesus to proclaim the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. In fact, Jesus reminded them that they received this power from him (Gospel account of Matthew, chapter 10:8), “without paying a price,” so he required they likewise serve without pay.

But in this culture as with many others, money was the lifeblood of commerce, even in the spiritual arts. It was in this environment that certain disreputable scoundrels took advantage of the phenomenal ministry of Paul.

The Sons of Sceva

Vagabond Jews tried their hand at exorcism by imitating what they’d heard about Paul’s miraculous ways. One particular cadre of fakers was known as the “Sons of Sceva,” and Luke reports this interesting story occurring in Ephesus; NT book of Acts, chapter 19. These young men toured around Ephesus together as a merry band of thieves, buoyed by their audacity and trading on the credibility that came with their “religious” heritage. Their father was a Jewish high-priest, raising them in the synagogue; so naturally, they carried themselves with a counterfeit holiness, conjuring respect and misplaced trust in their victims. They said a lot, without meaning any of it. Classic fraud, but it was profitable.

“Holy men do not convey the power vested in them for an hourly wage,” they piously pronounced. “We require sincere support in order to maintain this important ministry; so if we are able to help your family in their time of need, won’t you sacrifice for our sake?” These investors did not know enough to recognize the healers as bogus; they failed to investigate the authority upon which these brothers did business. Pressing further, digging deeper into their well of guilt; the Sons of Sceva drew out funds by appealing to multiple levels of narcissism.

“Don’t you want to heal your father? Would not that make you the wisest of his offspring, the one most likely to win his favor?” “If you want the best of God’s forces to visit your house, then you must invest the best of your resources to make it happen.” They never guaranteed success, but implied it by reciting a fantastic track record of healing and casting out demons. Just like Paul did it; they promised.

Requiring immediate compensation up-front, these Scevian schemers reminded customers that sometimes “holy release” would come after the caravan’s departure. They were powerful but it was a mystery how God worked with them, although often contributions ratcheted upward the more serious the problem; embellishment ballooning with imbursement.

Acts 19:13

“I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims,” was pronounced over the possessed man; clearly invoking His name yet without the divine authority of Christ. It was like trying to get into a concert without a ticket, but it was a very profitable gig for the sons of Sceva. (end of Part I)

©Mark H. Pillsbury