Acts 19:4 kjv
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Acts 19:4 nkjv
Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
Acts 19:4 niv
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
Acts 19:4 esv
And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus."
Acts 19:4 nlt
Paul said, "John's baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus."
Acts 19 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 3:1-2 | In those days John the Baptist came, preaching... “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” | John's message of repentance. |
| Mt 3:11 | “I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me... will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” | John points to Jesus and the Spirit. |
| Mk 1:4 | John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. | John's baptism for repentance. |
| Lk 3:3 | And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. | John's widespread message. |
| Jn 1:29 | The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” | John identifies Jesus as the Messiah. |
| Jn 1:33-34 | “I myself did not know Him, but He who sent me... said to me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit descend... this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” | John's divine commission and recognition of Jesus' role. |
| Acts 1:5 | "For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." | Jesus affirms the distinction and coming Spirit. |
| Acts 2:38 | And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” | Christian baptism and the Holy Spirit. |
| Acts 11:16 | And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ | Peter recalls John's words, similar to Paul. |
| Acts 13:24 | "Before His coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel." | Paul's prior preaching about John's preparatory role. |
| Acts 19:2 | He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” | The context of the Ephesians' incomplete understanding. |
| Acts 19:5 | On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. | The immediate consequence for the Ephesians. |
| Rom 6:3-4 | Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?... so that we too might walk in newness of life. | Christian baptism into Christ's identity and new life. |
| Gal 3:27 | For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. | Identification with Christ through Christian baptism. |
| Col 2:12 | having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. | Spiritual resurrection with Christ. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works... | Emphasizes salvation through faith in Christ. |
| Jn 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. | Centrality of belief in Jesus for salvation. |
| Jn 14:6 | Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” | Exclusivity of salvation through Christ. |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. | Exclusivity of Christ for salvation. |
| Mal 3:1 | “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.” | Old Testament prophecy of John's role as forerunner. |
| Isa 40:3 | A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” | Old Testament prophecy of John's preparatory role. |
| 1 Pet 3:21 | Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. | Christian baptism as a pledge, connected to Christ's resurrection. |
Acts 19 verses
Acts 19 4 Meaning
Acts 19:4 clarifies the preparatory nature of John the Baptist's ministry and baptism. Paul explains that John's baptism was fundamentally one of repentance, serving to prepare people for the true Messiah. John consistently directed people to believe in the One coming after him, who is Jesus. This verse highlights that John's baptism was an acknowledgment of sin and a turning to God, a crucial step, but not the complete experience of new life found in Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. It underscores the ultimate necessity of faith in Jesus for salvation and receiving the Spirit, distinct from a preliminary act of repentance.
Acts 19 4 Context
Acts 19:4 occurs during Paul's third missionary journey in Ephesus. The preceding verses (Acts 19:1-3) establish the encounter: Paul finds a group of "disciples" who confess they only know of John's baptism and have not even heard of the Holy Spirit. This verse is Paul's explanation to these individuals. The historical context involves John the Baptist's well-known ministry throughout Judea and surrounding regions, including his popularity among those awaiting the Messiah. These disciples likely represent a remnant of John's followers who had accepted his call to repentance but had not yet received the full revelation of Jesus as the Messiah or the subsequent gift of the Holy Spirit through Christian baptism. This narrative highlights the transition from preparatory Jewish expectation to the fulfillment found in Christ and the Christian faith, emphasizing the critical difference between John's baptism of repentance and baptism "into the name of the Lord Jesus" which included the reception of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19 4 Word analysis
- Then Paul said (Εἶπεν δὲ Παῦλος, Eipen de Paulos): This phrase indicates Paul's authoritative role as an apostle. He initiates the clarification necessary for the spiritual development of the Ephesian disciples, addressing their incomplete understanding of the gospel.
- John indeed baptized (Ἰωάννης μὲν ἐβάπτισεν, Iōannēs men ebaptisen): Paul acknowledges the legitimacy and historical reality of John the Baptist's ministry. The Greek particle men (indeed/on the one hand) introduces John's baptism as a preliminary step, subtly setting up a contrast with or progression towards what follows concerning Jesus.
- with a baptism (βάπτισμα, baptisma): This term denotes an act of immersion or washing. In this context, it refers to the water rite performed by John, symbolizing cleansing.
- of repentance (μετανοίας, metanoias): From metanoia, meaning a change of mind, a turning around, or a fundamental reorientation of one's will and life towards God. John's baptism was directly tied to this inward change as a preparation for God's impending kingdom. It signified an ethical turning away from sin and a turning towards righteousness.
- telling the people (λέγων τῷ λαῷ, legōn tō laō): This highlights John's active role as a preacher, not just a performer of rituals. His message was public and directed to laos, the Jewish people, urging them to prepare for the Messiah.
- to believe (ἵνα πιστεύσωσιν, hina pisteusōsin): The crucial purpose (hina) of John's entire ministry was to lead people to faith. Pisteuō means to place active trust, reliance, and confidence. This word emphasizes the absolute necessity of faith.
- in Him who was coming after him (εἰς τὸν ἐρχόμενον μετ’ αὐτόν, eis ton erchomenon met' auton): This phrase perfectly describes John's prophetic role as the forerunner. His mission was not to point to himself, but consistently to direct people's attention and expectation to the greater One who would follow him. This captures the essence of John's humility and faithfulness.
- that is, in Jesus (τοῦτ’ ἔστιν εἰς τὸν Ἰησοῦν, tout’ estin eis ton Iēsoun): This direct identification by Paul is pivotal. It provides the absolute clarity missing for the Ephesian disciples. It declares that the awaited "One" is unequivocally Jesus of Nazareth, thus explicitly connecting John's preparatory message to the person and work of Christ and defining the precise object of true saving faith.
Acts 19 4 Words-group by words-group analysis
- "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance": This phrase concisely defines the scope and nature of John's unique ministry. It underscores that his baptism was specifically tied to a call for inward change and moral preparation, distinct from ritualistic washings or Christian baptism which is into the name of the Lord Jesus and includes the Spirit.
- "telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him": This emphasizes John's primary prophetic purpose: his baptism was a means to an end, guiding people towards the future Messiah. It demonstrates that John's authority and message derived from his role as a forerunner, humble and fully committed to proclaiming the one greater than himself.
- "that is, in Jesus": This concise clarification by Paul is the theological crux of the verse. It precisely identifies the "Him" John foretold, thus removing any lingering ambiguity for the Ephesian disciples. It asserts that the ultimate focus of faith, to which all Old Testament prophecies and John's ministry pointed, is the person and saving work of Jesus Christ alone.
Acts 19 4 Bonus section
This account highlights the standard of apostolic vigilance concerning doctrinal integrity in the early church. It illustrates that conversion is not merely an outward ceremony but an internal turning towards Christ and reception of the Spirit. The Ephesian disciples' willingness to be re-baptized demonstrates their humility and receptiveness to correction, serving as an example for believers to always be open to clearer biblical understanding. The narrative also indirectly refutes any potential lingering ideas that John's movement was somehow parallel or sufficient to Jesus' movement; instead, John's ministry was subservient and directed to Christ.
Acts 19 4 Commentary
Acts 19:4 is a pivotal teaching moment where Paul elucidates the foundational difference between John's baptism and Christian baptism. John's ministry, though divinely appointed, was preparatory; his baptism symbolized a turning from sin and anticipation of the Messiah. Paul clearly articulates that John's consistent message directed people's faith toward Jesus as the specific, awaited Messiah. The Ephesian disciples' prior knowledge of only John's baptism, coupled with their ignorance of the Holy Spirit, exposed a critical gap in their understanding of the completed gospel. Paul's concise explanation confirms that faith must be ultimately placed in Jesus Christ, not just in repentance or expectation. This re-establishes Christ as the culmination of God's redemptive plan, requiring not just a turning from sin but a turning to Jesus and receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Examples:
- Progressive Revelation: Understanding that spiritual truths unfold progressively. Accepting one truth (e.g., God exists) is good, but must lead to embracing deeper truths (e.g., salvation through Christ, the Holy Spirit's role).
- Incomplete Knowledge: Recognizes that genuine seekers can have incomplete spiritual knowledge. The importance of discipleship to lead believers into the full counsel of God.
- The Centrality of Christ: Reinforces that all paths, all prior preparations, and all spiritual longings ultimately point to and find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.