{Seven sons of Sceva} (Skeu(8320)hepta huioi). Who this Sceva
was we do not know. If a high priest, he was highly connected in
Jerusalem (cf.  5:24 ). Some MSS. have ruler instead of priest.
His name may be Latin in origin. Skeu(835c) has Doric form of
genitive. But that he had seven sons in this degraded business
shows how Judaism had fared poorly in this superstitious city.
Did they imagine there was special power in the number seven?