Σκευᾶς (Skeuas)
Skeuas
Sceva
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Skeuas is a proper name appearing only once in the New Testament, in Acts 19:14. It identifies a man described as a chief priest living in Ephesus. The sources indicate the name likely has Latin origins, distinguishing it from typical Greek naming conventions of the era.
Thayer’s Lexicon translates the meaning as "mind reader," though this is an interpretive gloss rather than a standard etymological definition. Skeuas is best known for his role in the narrative where he and his seven sons attempt to use the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits, a story that highlights the limits of religious power when detached from genuine faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Skeuas appears in Acts 19:14, identifying a man called a chief priest in Ephesus. He and his seven sons tried to use the name of Jesus to cast out spirits, treating it like a magic formula rather than a relationship with the Lord. This story shows that spiritual authority comes from who you know, not just what words you say.
For your faith life, this reminds us that genuine power flows from trust in Jesus, not from trying to control outcomes. We are invited to rest in His presence, knowing He is enough without needing special tricks or rituals. This peace protects our hearts from the anxiety of performance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Sceva1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Σκευᾶ1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 19:14
There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this.
This verse identifies Skeuas as a Jewish chief priest whose sons attempted to use Jesus' name without genuine authority.