BIBL 104
Name: Arianna Simmons
BIBLE S P : OTUDY ROJECT BSERVATION EMPLATE T
Passage: Acts 19:11-22
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. Please use
the translation provided in your digital library or found at Biblegateway.com
oYes
oNo
B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least 2 similarities
and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story. These similarities and
differences should be related to the text itself rather than the translation. For example, an
observation like, “The formal translation is harder to read” is not an acceptable observation
because it deals with the translation itself rather than the text. You may list as many
similarities and differences that you find providing that you meet the minimum amount for
each one.
1. Similarity – Both translations mention "evil spirits" and how the priest of Judas
tried to drive out evil spirits. Both versions acknowledge Jewish responsibility for
Paul's work.
2. Similarity – He second similarity is that in both stories Paul is believed to have
performed miracles with God's help.
3. Difference – One of the differences between the ESV and the NIV. Acts 19:13
“Some of the Jews were going around casting out demons and trying to defeat those
who were possessed by the name of the Lord Jesus.” (NIV) and "Then some Jews
who were traveling. The exorcists begin to call on the name of the Lord Jesus, as
Paul taught." (ESV).
4. Difference - The second difference I see is Acts 19:16 (NIV) “Naked and bleeding”
vs. (ESV) “Naked and wounded.” ESV does not mean that the wound is bleeding
internally or externally. This may lead some people to believe that there are more or
less evil spirits.
5. Difference - The third difference I found was in Acts 19:19 (NIV) “practiced
sorcery” versus (ESV) “practiced magic arts”. one thinks that sorcery is darker and
evil compared to magic arts. So in this I believe that it is saying that, sorcery is
black magic, and magic arts is performing arts such as tricks from a magician.
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C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying.
1. Main characters: (List them)
Paul, Jewish priests, Timotheus, Erastus
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
Paul performed miracles for God and healed people of their diseases (and healed people of their
evil spirits). Some Jews decided to help Paul, which they saw as a service to God. A group of
seven sons of Sceva perform an exorcism on an unknown man. One day the spirit answered.
Satan said that he knew what Jesus did and what he heard about Paul, but he did not know who
these people were. The man who took it jumped on them and killed them all. When the Jews and
Greeks realized this, they began to fear Allah and His Lord and threw away their books and
magic. Paul decided to go to Jerusalem but sent Timothy and Elastus, who helped him stay in
Asia for a while.
3. Story structure: (50-100 words)
Note: Plot and Story Structure are not the same thing (see the tutorial and student example)
Introduction- Paul does Gods work well creating miracles. And the Jewish priests are having
exorcisms on evil spirits.
Inciting Incident- The seven sons of Sceva specifically communicate with the evil spirit through
an unknown person who is "possessed" by this evil spirit.
Rising Action-When the Jewish priests talk to the demon, the demon says that they do not know
and have not seen Paul or Jesus.
Climax- The evil spirit inside the man who doesn't know forces him to go to the priests and
overpowers them. They left the wounded behind.
Falling action- Jews and Greeks were horrified. Many confessed and burned their books and
incantations.
D. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
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Remember to consult and review chapters 17 and 37 in . This will Everyday Bible Study
help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,”
and “how.” Please be detailed and specific.
1. Who:
Luke, Paul, Seven Sons of Sceva, Evil Spirit, Timothy, Erastor, and God
2. What:
Paul became one of God's miracle workers, and Jewish priests sought to imitate his behavior.
Satan knew that they were not as powerful as Jesus or Paul, and they used this to attack the seven
sons of Sceva (some priests in Judea; the famous exorcists in the story). When the people heard
that the priests were naked and possessed by evil spirits, they feared God and decided to leave
their books and writings. Paul thought he should return to Rome, but while he was in Asia for a
while, he sent his assistants Timothy and Erastus.
3. Where:
- Rome, Ephesus, Asia, Greece, Jerusalem, Macedonia and Achaia
4. When:
Paul's third missionary journey
5. Why:
Why did the Jews and Greeks fear God?
When the Jews and Greeks realized the power of the devil and the power that God had given to
Paul, they feared God.
Why are people being healed by evil spirits?
People were healed thanks to the miracles Paul performed through God, just as Jesus Christ
healed the sick and the blind. In this case, the disease is "possessed" by these evil spirits.
Why were Sceva's seven sons captured?
The seven sons of Sceva, the demons, were defeated when they realized that God had not given
them the ability to be strong and powerful against the demons. The Holy Spirit asked the priests
before asking where Jesus and Paul were.
6. How:
How did Paul help people?
Paul helps people because God gave him the ability to do so. God recognized Paul as an apostle
and knew that he would use his ability to do good, not his power to act. In this case, priests were
tried to be considered doctors, but God did not give them this ability.
What did the Jews and Greeks think after they defeated the seven sons of Sceva?
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Instead of being angry with God, the people began to fear God because, like the evil spirits, they
saw the miracles performed by Jesus and Paul. They know the power of the Gods and they see
the priests trying to be powerful.
What did Timothy and Erastus do in Macedonia?
When Paul heard the news that the priests and the people had turned to God and thrown away the
books and magic, he decided that he wanted to stay in the city of Jerusalem and visit the city of
Rome. He sent Timothy and Erastor (his assistants) to stay in the province of Asia for a long time
while he went to Macedonia.
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