Acts 19 19

Acts 19:19 kjv

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Acts 19:19 nkjv

Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Acts 19:19 niv

A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.

Acts 19:19 esv

And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Acts 19:19 nlt

A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 19 Meaning

Acts 19:19 describes a profound act of repentance in Ephesus. Many who formerly practiced magic publicly renounced their dark arts by gathering and burning their valuable spell books. The immense monetary worth of these burned items—fifty thousand drachmas—underscored the depth of their conversion and their complete break with their former spiritual and economic entanglement, demonstrating the supreme power of the Gospel over spiritual deception and covetousness.

Acts 19 19 Context

Acts chapter 19 details Paul's two-year ministry in Ephesus, a prominent Roman city and the capital of the Roman province of Asia, renowned for the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). This city was steeped in spiritual darkness, superstition, and a pervasive practice of magic and idolatry, with its magic books and amulets, often called "Ephesian letters," being famous. Verse 19 directly follows significant events: Paul's successful teaching empowered by extraordinary miracles (Acts 19:11-12) and the humbling failure of the seven sons of Sceva, who, attempting to cast out demons by invoking Jesus without true faith, were overpowered (Acts 19:13-17). This public and humiliating exposure of fraudulent exorcism greatly increased fear and respect for the Lord Jesus' name, prompting many previously involved in occult practices to openly confess their sins and demonstrate genuine repentance. The public burning of their immensely valuable magical books marks a turning point, showcasing the overwhelming impact of the Gospel in converting lives and overthrowing entrenched spiritual strongholds in this pagan city.

Acts 19 19 Word analysis

• Many (ἱκανοί - hikanoi): Implies a substantial number of individuals, indicating a widespread impact of Paul's ministry and a collective, not isolated, movement of repentance.

• of those who practiced magic (τὰ περίεργα - ta perierga): Literally "the curious arts" or "superfluous things." This specific term refers to various forms of occult practices, including sorcery, divination, incantations, magical rituals, and superstitious charms. Ephesus was especially known for its magical scrolls and amulets. This highlights the specific and serious nature of the sins they were renouncing.

• brought their books (βιβλία - biblia): These were likely scrolls of papyrus or parchment, containing detailed instructions for magical spells, curses, astrological readings, and pagan rituals. The term "biblia" refers generally to written documents and is the root of our word "Bible," emphasizing their nature as sacred or powerful texts within the realm of magic.

• together (ὁμοῦ - homou): Suggests a unified and collective decision, not a disparate collection of individual acts. It indicates shared conviction and communal solidarity in their repentance.

• and burned them publicly:

  • Burned: A definitive and irreversible act of destruction, symbolizing total spiritual purification and an utter rejection of all connection to these forbidden practices. Fire is often used in scripture for judgment and cleansing.
  • Publicly (ἐνώπιον πάντων - enopion pantōn): "In the presence of all." This open display was a clear and undeniable confession of their past sin, a powerful public testimony to their new faith in Christ, and a deterrent to others considering dabbling in similar spiritual darkness. It ensured the destruction was witnessed and served as a powerful declaration of allegiance.

• When they calculated the value of the books: This denotes a deliberate and careful assessment, indicating an intentional act rather than an impulsive one. It emphasizes their full awareness of the immense material cost of their repentance.

• the total came to fifty thousand drachmas (δραχμῶν πεντακισχιλίων - drachmōn pentakischiliōn):

  • Drachma: A Greek silver coin, equivalent to a Roman denarius, which was a typical daily wage for a laborer or soldier at the time.
  • Fifty thousand: This staggering sum signifies an enormous financial sacrifice. It represents roughly 50,000 days of wages, or about 137 years of income for a common laborer. This substantial value indicates that these were not cheap or simple items, but highly valued, intricate, and expensive texts, highlighting a deep prior investment in magical practices. The immense monetary loss underscores the genuineness, cost, and depth of their repentance and the surpassing value they now placed on Christ.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them publicly": This phrase powerfully conveys a scene of corporate, intentional, and visible repentance from a deeply entrenched evil. It demonstrates the tangible commitment required to separate from previous spiritual strongholds and serves as a public witness to the Gospel's transforming power.
  • "When they calculated the value of the books, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas": This group of words emphasizes the great monetary cost of their discipleship. Their action was not cheap; it was a profound financial sacrifice, valuing spiritual freedom and devotion to God more than immense worldly wealth derived from their illicit practices.

Acts 19 19 Bonus section

• The destruction of these items aligns with Old Testament injunctions to destroy objects associated with idolatry and false worship (e.g., Deut 7:25; 12:2-3).
• The act of burning, rather than selling, highlights the moral imperative against allowing tools of evil to fall into other hands or profit from what is an abomination to God. It underscores an irreversible commitment and avoidance of perpetuating the very practices they were renouncing.
• This event shows that belief in Christ has real, tangible implications for one's life, property, and associations, demonstrating the absolute incompatibility of Christianity with occult practices.
• The immense value of the burned books signifies that some of these individuals might have been wealthy or held significant influence through their practice of magic, making their conversion and sacrifice even more remarkable and impactful.

Acts 19 19 Commentary

Acts 19:19 stands as a pivotal moment illustrating the comprehensive transformation wrought by the Gospel. In Ephesus, a city steeped in superstition and occultism, newfound believers demonstrated radical repentance not just by intellectual assent, but by decisive action. The public incineration of their costly magical books, valued at fifty thousand drachmas, signifies a complete and irreversible break with their former spiritual and financial entanglement in darkness. This was a profound, voluntary sacrifice that highlighted their prioritization of Christ over material wealth and forbidden spiritual power. Their communal and public act not only purified them personally but also served as a powerful testimony in the city, demonstrating the supremacy of God's power over all forms of magic and reinforcing the message that true faith demands a clear and costly separation from anything contrary to God. It exemplifies that genuine conversion involves practical, tangible steps to abandon past sin.