Acts 19 12

Acts 19:12 kjv

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:12 nkjv

so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:12 niv

so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Acts 19:12 esv

so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

Acts 19:12 nlt

When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 12 Meaning

Divine power extended from Paul's body to handkerchiefs and aprons. These items, when applied to the sick, brought healing and expulsion of evil spirits, confirming the divine origin of Paul's ministry.

Acts 19 12 Context

This verse is found in Acts chapter 19, which details the Apostle Paul's ministry in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia Minor. Paul stayed in Ephesus for an extended period, approximately three years. During this time, he preached the gospel, taught diligently, and performed numerous miracles, leading to significant conversions and the growth of the church. The Ephesian believers had been baptized into the name of Jesus, and Paul’s presence brought about extraordinary manifestations of divine power. This particular verse highlights the tangible way God's power worked through Paul, extending even to objects that had come into contact with him.

Acts 19 12 Word Analysis

• ὣστε (hōste): "so that," "insomuch that." Introduces a result or consequence.
• τοῦ (tou): The definite article "the," here in the genitive case, indicating possession or association.
• τοιούτου (toioutou): "such," "of this kind." Refers back to the extraordinary miracles mentioned previously.
• θεραπείας (therapeias): "healings," "deliverances," "services." Refers to the act of making well or delivering from affliction.
• τὰς (tas): The definite article "the," in the accusative plural, referring to "handkerchiefs."
• ἀπομαίπλαια (apomaptaia): "handkerchiefs," "sweatcloths." Items that absorbed sweat, closely associated with personal contact.
• καὶ (kai): "and." A conjunction connecting two parallel items.
• ἐπιτιθέμενα (epitithemena): "being laid upon," "applied." Present passive participle of epitithemi, indicating the action of placing these items.
• ἐπὶ (epi): "upon," "on." A preposition indicating contact.
• τοὺς (tous): The definite article "the," in the accusative plural, referring to "the sick."
• ἀσθενοῦντας (asthenountas): "sick," "weak." Present active participle of astheneō, indicating those who are suffering from illness or weakness.
• καὶ (kai): "and." A conjunction.
• ἀφοριζόμενα (aphorizomena): "being separated," "being expelled." Present passive participle of aphorizō, signifying the removal or casting out of something.
• ἀπιέναι (apienai): "to go away," "to depart." Infinitive of apimi, indicating the departure.
• τὰ (ta): The definite article "the," in the nominative/accusative plural, referring to "diseases" or "evil spirits."
• πνεύματα (pneumata): "spirits." Can refer to human spirits, evil spirits, or the Holy Spirit. In this context, refers to afflictions or demonic entities.
• τὰ (ta): The definite article "the," in the nominative/accusative plural.
• πονηρὰ (ponēra): "evil," "wicked." Adjective modifying "spirits."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "handkerchiefs and aprons" (ἀπομαίπλαια): These were common, personal items worn next to the skin, implying a close connection and direct absorption of Paul's physical presence.
• "laid upon the sick" (ἐπιτιθέμενα ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀσθενοῦντας): This action parallels Jesus' touch for healing and represents the transmission of power.
• "diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out" (ἀφοριζόμενα... ἀπιέναι τὰ πνεύματα τὰ πονηρά): This phrase explicitly details the nature of the healings – both physical infirmities ("diseases") and demonic influences ("evil spirits") were removed.

Acts 19 12 Bonus Section

The practice of using items touched by a spiritual leader for healing or spiritual effect has parallels in the Old Testament (e.g., Elijah's cloak, Elisha’s bones, 2 Kings 2:8; 13:21) and in the Gospels (the woman with the issue of blood touching Jesus' garment, Mark 5:27-28). These instances consistently point to God's power being the active agent, often facilitated through a symbolic medium. This verse underscores the tangible impact of God’s presence through Paul, leaving no doubt in the minds of the Ephesian populace about the divine source of his ministry. This period in Ephesus also saw significant opposition, with those who profited from sorcery and pagan worship reacting against Paul’s ministry (Acts 19:23-41). The spectacular miracles served as a potent counter-testimony to these false spiritual practices.

Acts 19 12 Commentary

The extraordinary nature of God's power working through Paul in Ephesus was so pronounced that even articles of his clothing became conduits of healing. This was not due to any inherent magical quality in the cloth itself, but because God sovereignly chose to channel His power through them as a visible demonstration of His might and Paul’s apostolic authority. This phenomenon served to validate the message of the Gospel being preached. It emphasizes that true spiritual authority and power originate from God, manifested through His chosen servants, and is a confirmation of the Kingdom of God breaking into human experience.