Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles — Homily 41

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

Acts XIX. 8, 9

And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when various were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

( a ) See him in every place forcing his way into the synagogue, and in this manner departing thence. For in every place, he wished to have the occasion given him by them. ( c ) He wished to separate the disciples thence, and to have the beginning for ceasing to assemble with them, given by (the Jews ) themselves. And it was not for nothing that he did this ( b ) which I have said. He was henceforth provoking them to jealousy. For both the Gentiles readily received him, and the Jews, upon the Gentiles receiving him, repented. ( a ) This is why he continually made a stir among them, for three months arguing and persuading concerning the kingdom of God: for you must not suppose because you hear of his speaking boldly, that there was any harshness: it was of good things that he discoursed, of a kingdom: who would not have heard him? But when various were hardened, speaking evil of the way. They might well call it the way; this was indeed the way, that led into the kingdom of heaven. He departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this was done for the space of two years, so that all that were in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. [[Acts 19.10]] ( a ) Do you mark how much was effected by his persisting? Both Jews and Greeks heard: ( c ) all that dwelt in Asia: it was for this also that the Lord suffered him not to go into Asia [[Acts 16.6]] (on a former occasion); waiting, as it seems to me, for this same conjuncture. (Hom. xl. p. 245.) ( b ) And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 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. (v. 11, 12.) Not touched the wearer only (and so were healed), but also receiving them, they laid them upon the sick (and so healed them). ( g ) He that believes in Me, says Christ, does greater works than those which I do. [[John 14.12]] This, and the miracle of the shadows is what He meant (in those words). ( d ) Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. [[Acts 19.13]] So entirely did they do all by way of trade! Observe: vagabond, or, itinerant, Jewish exorcists. And to believe indeed, they had no mind; but by that Name they wished to cast out the demons. By Jesus, whom Paul preaches. Only see what a name Paul had got! And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said,