Acts 19 10

Acts 19:10 kjv

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 19:10 nkjv

And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 19:10 niv

This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 19:10 esv

This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 19:10 nlt

This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia ? both Jews and Greeks ? heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 10 Meaning

Acts 19:10 describes a significant period of the Apostle Paul's ministry in Ephesus, during which he consistently taught and reasoned daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This sustained effort resulted in the widespread proclamation of the "word of the Lord Jesus" to virtually "all who dwelt in Asia," referring specifically to the Roman province of Asia Minor. The verse emphasizes the dedicated, pervasive, and impactful nature of this phase of the early Christian mission, ensuring that the message of Christ reached a broad demographic beyond the city of Ephesus itself.

Acts 19 10 Context

Acts chapter 19 details Paul's third missionary journey's extended stay in Ephesus, a prominent Roman city, capital of the province of Asia, and a hub for trade, culture, and the worship of Artemis (Diana). Upon arriving in Ephesus, Paul first encounters and instructs twelve disciples who only knew John's baptism, leading them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). Paul then continued his customary practice of teaching in the local synagogue for three months, speaking boldly about the Kingdom of God (Acts 19:8). However, when some became obstinate and refused to believe, slandering "the Way" before the congregation, Paul withdrew with the disciples. It is at this juncture that verse 10 explains Paul's strategic shift from the synagogue to the "hall of Tyrannus," establishing a more stable and public teaching center. This allowed him to conduct an intense and prolonged educational mission, specifically targeting a wider audience than confined to the synagogue. This verse marks the beginning of the powerful, extensive spread of Christianity throughout the entire province of Asia.

Acts 19 10 Word analysis

• This (Grk: Touto): Points back to Paul's daily reasoning and teaching, highlighting its consequence and duration.
• continued (Grk: egneto from ginomai - to become, happen): Implies a continuous, ongoing action rather than a single event. It indicates that the teaching ministry was sustained for the specified period.
• for (Grk: epi - upon, on the basis of, for the space of): Denotes the duration of the activity.
• two (Grk: duo): A specific numerical duration. This period highlights dedicated and consistent evangelistic and teaching efforts.
• years (Grk: ete): A considerable period, suggesting a deep rooting of the Christian message and community in Ephesus and beyond. Paul's total stay in Ephesus was closer to three years (Acts 20:31), so this "two years" likely refers specifically to his time in the hall of Tyrannus after leaving the synagogue.
• so that (Grk: hoste - as a result, so that): Indicates the consequence or outcome of Paul's sustained teaching.
• all (Grk: pantas - all, everyone): Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the outreach.
• who dwelt (Grk: tous katoikountas - those residing, inhabiting): Refers to the permanent inhabitants and possibly also those transient visitors present in the area.
• in Asia (Grk: en tē Asia): This refers to the Roman province of Asia Minor, not the entire continent. This province included major cities like Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, which are later addressed in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. The spread from Ephesus was catalytic, influencing many surrounding regions through the evangelism of converts or Paul's associates who travelled out.
• heard (Grk: akousai - to hear, perceive): Signifies receiving the message through proclamation and teaching.
• the word (Grk: ton logon - the word, message, discourse): Refers to the Gospel message, the teaching concerning Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. This logos is powerful and transformative.
• of the Lord (Grk: tou Kyriou): Emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message, stemming from Jesus Christ as Lord.
• Jesus (Grk: Iēsou): Specifically identifies the subject of the word—Jesus, His person, work, and saving power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "This continued for two years": This phrase underscores the diligence and endurance of Paul's ministry. It wasn't a fleeting effort but a sustained, deliberate, and organized teaching campaign, critical for planting and strengthening the church in a major region. This prolonged engagement allowed for deep theological instruction and the training of local leaders.
• "so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word": This highlights the reach and effectiveness of the evangelism. Paul didn't need to physically visit every town in Asia Minor for the gospel to reach them. Ephesus, as a major center, served as a hub. People traveling through Ephesus from various parts of the province would have encountered Paul's teaching, or trained individuals would have carried the message to their hometowns. This reflects a strategic model of urban-centered evangelism that led to wider regional dissemination.
• "the word of the Lord Jesus": This identifies the content and source of the message. It was not a philosophical discourse or mere human wisdom but the divine revelation centered on Jesus Christ—His identity, His atoning work, His resurrection, and His call to repentance and faith. It was a powerful message, bearing divine authority. This stands in contrast to the numerous cults and philosophies prevalent in Asia Minor at the time, offering something unique and divinely attested.

Acts 19 10 Bonus section

The "Hall of Tyrannus" (Greek: schole Tyrannou) could have been a public lecture hall or a school used for philosophical discussions, available perhaps during the siesta hours when Tyrannus himself (a possible rhetorician or teacher) was not using it. This provided Paul with a stable, accessible venue for systematic teaching, contrasting with the limited and often contentious access of synagogues. The effect of this intense evangelistic training program in Ephesus was so profound that it led to significant spiritual warfare, culminating in events like the burning of magical books and the riot of the silversmiths, demonstrating the widespread shift in allegiance from pagan deities to Christ. The extensive spread mentioned here likely includes the founding of churches in cities like Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea (Col 4:13, 16), though Paul himself never directly visited them, suggesting these churches were planted by Ephesian converts or associates of Paul who had been trained there. This underscores the missional impact of dedicated training centers.

Acts 19 10 Commentary

Acts 19:10 captures a pivotal moment in the expansion of Christianity, showcasing the impact of focused and prolonged apostolic ministry. After initial opposition in the synagogue, Paul strategically shifted his base of operations to the Hall of Tyrannus, a public lecture hall, for a sustained period of two years. This daily instruction ensured a systematic and in-depth proclamation of the gospel. The phrase "the word of the Lord Jesus" refers to the core message of salvation through Christ, which Paul consistently preached and taught. The remarkable outcome was that "all who dwelt in Asia" (the Roman province) "heard" this word, indicating not that every single person was converted, but that the gospel message achieved widespread penetration and recognition across the region. This broad dissemination was likely facilitated by the influx of visitors and pilgrims to Ephesus, a major hub, as well as the equipping of believers who then returned to their own communities carrying the message. This verse emphasizes the power of the divine Word and the effectiveness of diligent, focused evangelism, demonstrating how strategic location and consistent teaching could yield transformative, widespread results in the early church.

• Practical Example 1: Consistent devotionals or small group studies over a long period can similarly lead to deep understanding and transformation, influencing a wider circle.
• Practical Example 2: Focusing ministry efforts on key metropolitan areas can often serve as springboards for gospel dissemination into surrounding rural or smaller regions.