BIBL 104
Name: Kirsten Baptiste
BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: OBSERVATION
Passage: Acts 19:11-22
I. Observation
A. I have read Acts 19:11-22 in both a formal translation (NASB, NRSV, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer.
oYes
oNo
B. Having read the passage in both a formal and a functional translation, list at least 2
similarities and 3 differences in the way both translations cover this story.
a. Similarity – Both translations stated that the cloths that touched Paul were taken to
the sick, healed them, and rid them of evil spirits.
b. Similarity – Both translations pointedly state that the “Seven sons of Sceva, a
Jewish chief priest, were doing this.”
c. Difference – The NIV states that “when they calculated the value of the scrolls, the
total came to fifty thousand drachmas.” (NIV, 2011) Meanwhile, the CSB version
says that when they counted, they found the value to be fifty thousand pieces of
silver.
d. Difference – The NIV version states that the man who had the evil spirit “gave them
such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding” (NIV, 2011),
whereas the CSB version states that the man who had the evil spirit “prevailed
against them so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.” (CSB, 2017)
e. Difference – The NIV text recognizes “some Jews” who had gone around trying to
drive the evil spirits out, while the CSB text recognizes the “itinerant Jewish
exorcists.”
C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying.
1. Main characters: (List them)
God, Paul, the evil spirit, the possessed man, the Seven sons of Sceva, and the
people of Ephesus.
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
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God blessed Paul with the gift to heal the sick and rid them of evil spirits by placing
handkerchiefs or aprons he had touched onto the sick. The Seven sons of Sceva decided
to join the mission. They came across a man who had possessed the evil spirit. The evil
spirit told them it knew Jesus and could recognize Paul but had no idea who they were.
The man with the evil spirit ends up overpowering the Seven sons of Scevas, and the
word spreads of the attack. This encounter brings fear to the Jews and the Greeks. The
people of Ephesus, who practiced magic, came together with their magic books and
burned them in front of the town, showing that they were now believers in Christ.
3. Story structure: (50-100 words)
Introduction: God blessed Paul with the gift to heal and rid the people of Ephesus of
diseases and the evil spirit.
Inciting Incident: the Seven sons of Scevas begin to go around Ephesus to try to get rid
of the evil spirit. They came across a man who possessed an evil spirit. The evil spirit
tells them that it doesn’t know who they are. The possessed man then attacks the Seven
sons of Scevas.
Rising Action: The Greeks and the Jews became afraid, and those who practiced magic
came together and burned their books in front of everyone.
Climax: After leading the town to Jesus Christ, Paul then decides that it is time to leave
and begin his journey to Jerusalem.
Falling Action: Paul recognized that his time in Ephesus was completed and decided to
move on.
Resolution: In Ephesus, Paul guided people to Jesus Christ by healing and ridding them
of evil spirits. At this point, he had decided to move on to Jerusalem.
D. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
Remember to consult the list of items from the observation section in studying the
Gospels in Chapter 36. This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,”
“what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.”
1. Who:
Luke (author)
God
Paul
Seven sons of Sceva
The evil spirit
Possessed man
The people of Ephesus
BIBL 104
2. What:
God blessed Paul to be able to heal the sick and rid them of the evil spirit.
The Seven sons of Sceva became aware of what was happening and decided
to try to rid people of the evil spirits as well.
The people of Ephesus, who practiced magic, came together to burn their
magic books in front of the town.
Paul leaves and begins his journey to Jerusalem.
3. Where:
Ephesus
4. When:
The story takes place after Jesus’ lifetime, during 54 AD.
5. Why:
Why did God bless Paul?
oGod blessed Paul with the ability to heal the sick and rid the evil spirits in
Jesus’ name. He did this to help show the people of Ephesus that Christ is
real.
Why did the Seven sons of Scevas try to rid people of evil spirits after they heard
that Paul was?
oThey had heard of Paul doing this and wanted to do it. They had
encountered a possessed man and learned that not everyone can rid
someone of evil spirits. They then realized how special Christ was.
Why did the people of Ephesus burn their magic books?
oAfter seeing how badly beaten the Seven sons of Scevas were, they
realized how powerful Christ was and decided to burn their magic books
and become followers of Christ.
Why does Paul leave Ephesus?
oPaul saw how the blessings from God helped change the people of
Ephesus and knew that his job there was done. He needed to continue on
his journey to Jerusalem.
6. How:
How did God bless Paul?
oGod blessed Paul by allowing him to heal the sick and rid them of evil
spirits. He did this through “handkerchiefs and aprons that he had
BIBL 104
touched.” When these items were placed on the sick, “their illnesses were
cured, and the evil spirits left them.” (NIV, 2011)
How did the Seven sons of Scevas try to rid people of evil spirits?
oThey tried to do a chant in Jesus’ name and requested that the evil spirit
leave.
How did the people of Ephesus react to the evil spirit overpowering the Seven
sons of Scevas?
oThis event brought out the belief in Jesus Christ; it showed the town the
power that Christ has.
oThe people of Ephesus, who practiced magic, came together to burn their
magic books to show that they were now followers of Christ.
BIBL 104
Bibliography
CSB (2017). Acts 19:11-22 Christian Standard Bible. Bible Gateway. Retrieved January
29, 2024, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+19%3A11-
22&version=CSB
NIV (2011).KActs Bible Timeline. Bible Hub. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from
https://biblehub.com/timeline/acts/1.htm
NIV (2011). Acts 19:11-22 New International Version. Bible Gateway. Retrieved
January 29, 2024, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=Acts+19%3A11-22&version=NIV
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