What Does Acts 19:15 Mean in the King James?
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
A name can be spoken as a formula, but its authority is recognized in the nature behind it.
THE MEANING
Where authority is claimed through borrowed words, the identity being invoked and the identity of the speaker are not interchangeable. The spirit recognizes Jesus and Paul, then turns the question back on the exorcists: who are you? Recognition is clear; their standing is not.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie this undoes is that saying the right sacred name automatically gives the speaker the nature or authority that name carries.
THE ROOT
γινώσκω
ginōskō
GROWS FROM
γινωσκ-
ginōsk- stem
To come to know, recognize, or perceive.
“know” in this verse is ginōskō. This is knowing by recognition or encounter, not merely repeating a name or collecting information about it. The spirit’s recognition of Jesus stands beside the question of who the exorcists themselves are.
ALSO GROWS
gnōsis: Knowledge or knowing.
γνῶσις
It shares the same Greek word family and keeps recognition linked to knowing.
gnōstos: Known, familiar, or recognized.
γνωστός
This branch shows the root’s movement from knowing to being known.
ἐπίσταμαι
epistamai
GROWS FROM
ἐπιστα-
epista- word-family stem
To know, understand, or be acquainted with.
English repeats “know,” but the Greek shifts from γινώσκω to ἐπίσταμαι. Both can mean know, so the difference is not a rigid code; still, the shift makes the question that follows, “who are ye?”, land on the speakers’ identity, not just their words.
ALSO GROWS
epistēmē: Knowledge or understanding.
ἐπιστήμη
This related noun makes explicit the knowing or understanding carried by the verb.
epistēmōn: Knowledgeable or understanding.
ἐπιστήμων
This related form describes someone marked by the kind of knowledge the verb can express.
THE PATTERN
Recognizing or invoking a name does not by itself establish shared authority or relationship.
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.THE THREAD
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.The Greek verb translated “knew” here is γινώσκω, the same verb used for “Jesus I know” in Acts. The direction reverses: Acts exposes people invoking authority they do not bear; here the speaker rejects the claim of those who appeal to his name.
This reading is from Selah Verse.
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