The seven sons of Sceva are mentioned only once in the Bible, in Acts 19:13-16. Here is what we know about them from this passage:
They were Jewish exorcists
The text tells us that the seven sons of Sceva were Jewish exorcists. This means they likely traveled around practicing exorcisms and casting out demons. Exorcism was commonly practiced in the ancient world by both Jews and pagans. The Jews would invoke the name of God or other holy names to try to expel demons.
Their father’s name was Sceva
We don’t know anything else about their father Sceva. But the fact that he is mentioned by name suggests he may have been a well-known Jewish priest or exorcist himself. It was common for sons to carry on the occupation of their fathers in that culture. So these seven men probably learned exorcism from their dad and continued the family business.
There were seven sons
The text specifically numbers them as seven sons. This is an unusually large number of sons for the time period. Most families would have 2-4 children total. So Sceva must have been blessed with an exceptionally large family.
They attempted to cast out demons
Acts 19 recounts an incident where the seven sons of Sceva encountered a man possessed by an evil spirit. They tried to cast out the demon by saying “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Basically, they were trying to tap into the power and authority of Jesus’ name, even though they themselves were not followers of Christ.
The evil spirit spoke to them
When the sons of Sceva tried to expel the demon, the evil spirit spoke to them saying “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” This shocked the seven men, as normally the demons would obey their incantations. But this spirit apparently recognized the illegitimacy of the sons of Sceva using Jesus’ name when they did not truly have faith in Christ or know Him personally.
The man with the evil spirit attacked them
Not only did the demon refuse to obey the sons of Sceva, he actually enabled the possessed man to attack them violently. Acts 19:16 says the man “overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” This would have been incredibly humiliating and traumatic for the seven sons. They were used to being in control of the spirits, not being overwhelmed by demonic power.
This led many to fear and believe in Jesus
The final result of this encounter was that it became known to many people in Ephesus what had happened. Verse 17 says this led to great fear falling on all of them, and the name of Jesus being extolled. It validated that only true faith and authority in Christ’s name could expel demons. Many came to follow Christ after this, seeing that His power was true and His name was not to be invoked lightly or illegitimately.
So in summary, the seven sons of Sceva were overconfident Jewish exorcists who got in over their heads. Their attempt to exploit Jesus’ name for their own gain backfired spectacularly. This ended up bolstering reverence for Christ’s name and leading more people to salvation in Ephesus. A rather embarrassing episode for Sceva’s sons, but a great testimony to the true authority and power of Jesus Christ over all spiritual forces of evil.
Other Details from the Passage
Here are some other potential insights we can gain about the seven sons of Sceva from looking more closely at the details in Acts 19:13-16:
- They were doing exorcisms regularly, implying they made their living this way. Verse 13 notes they “took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits.”
- The evil spirit spoke to them as if there were multiple demons within the man (“we are many”). This suggests the man had an extreme case of possession.
- The seven men fled battered and naked. This implies the possessed man beat them severely and ripped their clothes off in the process.
- There were eye-witnesses to the event, leading to fear falling on “all of them” (v. 17). The exorcism attempt did not happen in secret.
- The news spread rapidly, even to Jews and Greeks who didn’t personally observe it. This was a major public incident.
- The demon possessed man was unusual in his strength. Normally seven men could restrain one individual.
- The evil spirit left the man after attacking the exorcists, implying their botched attempt nevertheless succeeded in freeing him.
- The seven sons clearly recognized the efficacy of Jesus’ name in exorcisms from Paul’s ministry, even though they themselves were not believers.
- The incident left the seven sons looking fraudulent and earned Paul and Jesus greater reputations in Ephesus.
Looking closely at the context and details in this passage provides some helpful additional perspective. The picture is of a public exorcism gone terribly wrong for Sceva’s sons, but ultimately bringing glory to Christ.
The Seven Sons of Sceva and Spiritual Authority
The account of the seven sons of Sceva provides some important spiritual lessons about authority in spiritual warfare and ministry:
- Only those who truly know and have a relationship with Christ can use His name legitimately and effectively.
- Trying to operate in spiritual power and authority without a right relationship with God is foolish and dangerous.
- Demons recognize who has real spiritual authority and who does not.
- Ministering in one’s own power and relying on rituals, techniques or formulas is inadequate against demonic forces.
- Evil spirits can tell the difference between genuine faith in Christ and those simply using His name as a magical incantation.
- The real test is not the words we say, but who we are in Christ through faith.
- This encounter led to greater reverence for the name of Jesus and recognition of His supreme authority.
- God brought good out of the situation, using it to draw more people to salvation in Christ.
Attempting to operate in Jesus’ authority without a personal relationship with Him will end in disaster and disgrace. Our authority comes through faith in Christ and being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, not mere formulas or family pedigree. The seven sons of Sceva learned this lesson the hard way!
Application for Christians Today
Although exorcism practices differ today compared to the New Testament accounts, there are still some principles modern Christians can take away from this passage about the seven sons of Sceva:
- We have no spiritual authority in ourselves, only in Christ.
- Using Christ’s name as some kind of magical mantra is useless. Our faith must be real.
- Formulas and rituals are meaningless without a right heart before God.
- Any spiritual authority we have comes from our relationship with Jesus, not our skills, abilities, or religious pedigree.
- Demons recognize the difference between real faith and empty religious façades.
- Genuine spiritual power flows from intimacy with God, not just mimicking practices.
- The name of Jesus is not to be invoked lightly or flippantly.
- If God could bring good even out of the sons of Sceva’s folly, He can use anything for His glory.
As Christians, we can have confidence in the authority delegated to us by Christ. But this is never to be abused or used carelessly. Our authority originates in and is delegated from our Savior. The seven sons of Sceva serve as a warning not to operate outside of the right relationship and humility before God that spiritual authority requires.
Summary of the Seven Sons of Sceva
To summarize what we know of the seven sons of Sceva:
– They were a group of seven brothers, likely Jewish exorcists carrying on their father’s profession.
– The Bible recounts one public encounter where they attempted to cast out a demon by invoking Jesus’ name.
– The evil spirit resisted them and enabled the possessed man to attack them violently.
– Humiliated and beaten, the seven men fled wounded and naked.
– This incident led many people in Ephesus to fear and venerate the name of Jesus all the more.
– The account provides a warning about operating in spiritual authority without a genuine relationship with Christ.
– Even out of their shameful experience, God brought glory to Himself and advance of the gospel.
Though merely a curious biblical anecdote, the failure of Sceva’s sons serves as a vivid illustration that spiritual authority derives from faith in Christ, not ritual or performance. Their folly led to reverence for Jesus, reminding us God can use anything, even others’ mistakes, for His sovereign purposes if we have eyes to see.