Acts 19 3

Acts 19:3 kjv

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Acts 19:3 nkjv

And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."

Acts 19:3 niv

So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied.

Acts 19:3 esv

And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism."

Acts 19:3 nlt

"Then what baptism did you experience?" he asked. And they replied, "The baptism of John."

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 3 Meaning

This verse marks a pivotal point where the Apostle Paul inquires about the baptism received by certain disciples in Ephesus. Their response, stating they were baptized "into John's baptism," immediately signals an incomplete understanding of the Christian faith. This leads to Paul clarifying the nature and significance of Christian baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19 3 Context

This verse is part of the account of Paul's third missionary journey, specifically during his extended stay in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor known for its Artemis cult and widespread magic. After questioning some disciples about whether they had received the Holy Spirit and hearing their answer, Paul recognized a critical gap in their understanding. Their reply in verse 3, "Into John's baptism," reveals that they had experienced John's preparatory water baptism but had not progressed to Christian baptism into the name of Jesus, nor received the full indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which characterizes genuine New Covenant believers. This scenario is somewhat parallel to Apollos, who also initially knew only John's baptism until instructed more accurately (Acts 18:24-28).

Acts 19 3 Word analysis

• And he said,: Paul initiates the inquiry, demonstrating pastoral concern and spiritual discernment. His preceding question in Acts 19:2 about the Holy Spirit immediately revealed a deficiency.

• "Into what then:

  • "Into" (Greek: eis - εἰς): A crucial preposition indicating purpose, result, or direction into something. Here, it refers to the purpose or character of the baptism. It's not just "with what" but "for what" or "into whom/what authority." This "into" highlights the identification or relationship being established through baptism.
  • "what then" (Greek: poion - ποῖον): An interrogative pronoun, specifically asking about the kind or nature of their baptism, not merely its presence. Paul is discerning the underlying theological foundation of their spiritual experience.

• were you baptized?": (Greek: ebaptisthete - ἐβαπτίσθητε): An aorist passive indicative verb from baptizō (βαπτίζω), meaning "to immerse, submerge." The passive voice indicates that they were the recipients of the baptism; it was done to them. The question assumes baptism is a recognized spiritual practice, but its object needs clarification.

• They said,: Their immediate, honest reply indicates their clear understanding of the specific type of baptism they received.

• "Into John's baptism.": (Greek: eis to Iōannou baptisma - εἰς τὸ Ἰωάννου βάπτισμα):

  • "Into" (eis - εἰς): Reiterates the earlier preposition, solidifying that the purpose or identification of their baptism was specifically connected to John the Baptist's ministry.
  • "John's" (Iōannou - Ἰωάννου): Possessive genitive, clearly identifying the baptizer and the specific theological context of the baptism. John's baptism, while divinely ordained, was a baptism unto repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah (Mk 1:4). It was not baptism into the name of Jesus Christ or into the Holy Spirit.
  • "baptism." (baptisma - βάπτισμα): The noun for the act of baptism. The use of this specific term highlights the continuity of the practice of immersion while stressing the object of the immersion as the crucial distinguishing factor.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Into what then were you baptized?": This complete question immediately shows Paul's astuteness. Having learned that they lacked knowledge of the Holy Spirit, Paul goes directly to the foundation of their faith—their baptism. He isn't asking if they were baptized, but into what authority or purpose. This phrasing differentiates different baptisms (e.g., John's vs. Christ's), underscoring that baptism's validity is tied to its meaning and object.
  • "Into John's baptism.": This statement directly reveals the inadequacy of their understanding. It indicates they embraced a preliminary step of repentance but had not yet come to full saving faith in Jesus as Messiah, signified by Christian baptism and the indwelling Holy Spirit. It implicitly highlights the transition from the Old Covenant preparations to the New Covenant's fulfillment in Christ.

Acts 19 3 Bonus section

The narrative surrounding this verse illustrates several key theological principles. It highlights the principle of discipleship and theological correction: true leaders like Paul ensure that believers have a full understanding of the faith, especially concerning core doctrines like salvation, baptism, and the Holy Spirit. It also underscores the distinctiveness of Christian baptism from previous preparatory acts. Unlike John's baptism which looked forward, Christian baptism looks back to Christ's finished work (death, burial, resurrection) and seals the believer into that reality, simultaneously pointing forward to new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Ephesus incident, along with the story of Apollos (Acts 18:24-28), serves as a New Testament example of incomplete discipleship requiring further teaching and spiritual maturation to align with the full truth of the gospel.

Acts 19 3 Commentary

Acts 19:3 is foundational for understanding the progression of revelation and the nature of Christian initiation in the early church. Paul's simple yet penetrating question immediately cuts to the core of the disciples' spiritual status. Their answer confirms they have undergone a baptism for repentance (John's), which prepared the way for the Messiah but did not confer the Spirit or full union with Christ. This implies that while John's baptism was valid and ordained by God, it was incomplete for those living in the New Covenant era post-Pentecost. True Christian baptism, "into the name of Jesus," signifies belief in Jesus as Messiah, forgiveness of sins through Him, and the reception of the Holy Spirit. This verse emphasizes that the object and purpose of baptism are critical; it's not merely the ritual but what it signifies and into whom one is baptized that matters for a saving relationship with Christ.