Sceva is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Sceva was a Jewish man living in Ephesus who is described in the King James Bible as “a Jew, and chief of the priests.” He appears only once in Scripture, in Acts 19:14, and is named solely in connection with his seven sons. These sons were traveling exorcists who attempted to cast out demons by invoking the name of Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” Their attempt took place during Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus, where the apostle had been performing extraordinary miracles and proclaiming the name of the Lord Jesus with power.
The seven sons of Sceva encountered a man possessed by an evil spirit, and when they tried to command the demon to leave, the spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” The possessed man then attacked them, overpowered them, and drove them out of the house naked and wounded. The news of this event spread throughout Ephesus, and fear fell on both Jews and Greeks, causing the name of the Lord Jesus to be magnified. Many who had practiced sorcery publicly burned their books, and the word of God grew mightily.
Scripture presents Sceva only as the father of these seven men. It does not record his own beliefs, his response to his sons’ humiliation, or whether he himself ever came to faith in Christ. He is remembered in the biblical text as the father of men whose presumptuous use of Jesus’ name ended in public defeat, an episode that served to magnify the true power of Christ and the reality of spiritual authority.
The Name
The name “Sceva” is generally understood to be a Latin name, likely a form of Scaeva, meaning “left-handed” or “awkward.” Some scholars have suggested it may be a nickname or a Romanized name adopted by a Jewish man living in a Hellenistic city, which would fit the setting of Ephesus. The meaning is not entirely certain, and the text itself offers no interpretation of the name. What is clear is that Sceva bore a name of Latin rather than Hebrew origin, reflecting the cultural mixture of the world in which these events took place. Since Scripture does not explain the name, its significance should not be pressed beyond what is reasonably established.
A Closing Thought
Sceva’s sons tried to use Jesus’ name as a tool, but the name of Christ is not a formula to be wielded by those who do not know Him. The demon recognized authority, but it did not recognize them. This is a sobering reminder that proximity to spiritual things is not the same as possession of them. Yet even this embarrassing episode served God’s purposes, for it magnified the name of Jesus and moved many in Ephesus to repentance. May we seek not merely to speak of Christ, but to belong to Him, so that our lives carry the weight of a genuine relationship with the One whose name is above every name.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: New
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- Acts 19:14 — And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.