Acts 19 6

Acts 19:6 kjv

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 19:6 nkjv

And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Acts 19:6 niv

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Acts 19:6 esv

And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Acts 19:6 nlt

Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 6 Meaning

Acts 19:6 describes the transformative event where twelve disciples, having previously only known John's baptism, receive the Holy Spirit. After Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit immediately came upon these men, empowering them to speak in spiritual languages (tongues) and to deliver divinely inspired messages (prophesy). This event signifies their full integration into the Christian faith, marked by the powerful, tangible presence and enablement of the Spirit.

Acts 19 6 Context

Acts 19:6 follows Paul's arrival in Ephesus, a significant Hellenistic city. Here, he encountered about twelve "disciples" who knew only John's baptism for repentance but were unaware of the Holy Spirit. This highlights a critical spiritual gap between preparatory Old Covenant understanding (John's message) and the New Covenant reality (Jesus' completed work and the gift of the Holy Spirit). After clarifying the Gospel of Jesus and its connection to baptism for the forgiveness of sins, these men were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Verse 6 then details the climax: the reception of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues and prophesying, confirming their full immersion into the Christian faith and empowerment for the divine purpose. This event sets the stage for Paul's impactful two-year ministry in Ephesus, during which the gospel profoundly influenced the region.

Acts 19 6 Word analysis

• And when Paul had laid his hands upon them:
  • And when: Marks a direct consequence of the previous action (their baptism into Christ's name).
  • Paul: The apostle, demonstrating apostolic authority in imparting the Spirit.
  • had laid his hands: (Greek: epethēken tas cheiras - ἐπέθηκεν τὰς χεῖρας). This is a physical action, a common biblical gesture for blessing, commissioning, healing, or imparting spiritual gifts, especially for the Holy Spirit in Acts (e.g., Acts 8:17). It serves as a point of contact and an external sign for the divine impartation.
  • upon them: Refers to the "disciples" mentioned in Acts 19:1, numbering about twelve. These were believers who, though following John, were yet incomplete in their understanding of the post-Pentecost outpouring of the Spirit.
• the Holy Ghost came on them:
  • the Holy Ghost: (Greek: to Pneuma to Hagion - τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον). The divine third person of the Trinity, distinct from previous spiritual experiences or water baptism.
  • came on them: (Greek: ēlthen ep' autous - ἦλθεν ἐπ’ αὐτούς). Signifies a definite, sudden, and powerful descent or impartation of the Spirit. This language highlights the sovereign act of God in bestowing His Spirit, providing empowerment from on high. It reflects a fulfillment of Jesus' promise of receiving "power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" (Acts 1:8).
• and they spake with tongues, and prophesied:
  • and they spake with tongues: (Greek: elaloun glōssais - ἐλάλουν γλώσσαις). The spiritual gift of glossolalia. This is speaking in languages unknown to the speaker, which could be existing human languages (as in Acts 2:4) or divine, unearthly utterances. This serves as a significant, audible sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and power, often accompanying initial Spirit reception in Acts.
  • and prophesied: (Greek: kai eprophēteuon - καὶ ἐπροφήτευον). Another spiritual gift. This refers to speaking under divine inspiration, proclaiming God's truth, encouragement, or revelation. While sometimes predictive, it more often involves inspired teaching or exhortation for the edification of others. Together with tongues, it provides undeniable, immediate, and public evidence of the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
• Word-groups Analysis:
  • "Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them": This highlights the intermediary role of the apostle (by laying on hands) and the divine agent (the Holy Ghost) in this transformative experience. It shows the Spirit's reception is an observable event.
  • "spake with tongues, and prophesied": These two manifestations are the direct, tangible evidence and consequence of the Holy Spirit coming upon them. They serve as immediate proofs to the individuals themselves, Paul, and any observers, that these men were truly filled with and empowered by God's Spirit.

Acts 19 6 Bonus section

This event is pivotal in understanding the nature of receiving the Holy Spirit in the early church. It illustrates that for some, the reception of the Spirit was distinct and subsequent to water baptism, involving specific signs of empowerment. It also solidifies the connection between apostolic authority, the laying on of hands, and the impartation of spiritual gifts. For the Ephesians, immersed in paganism and occult practices, the clear, supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit provided a distinct and authoritative counterpoint, demonstrating the genuine power of the one true God over any worldly spiritual claims. The narrative establishes a "pattern" in Acts for Spirit reception that includes an observable impartation and immediate, evidential spiritual manifestations like tongues and prophecy.

Acts 19 6 Commentary

Acts 19:6 succinctly captures the essential experience of receiving the Holy Spirit, moving these disciples of John beyond mere repentance to empowered Christian living. The laying on of Paul's hands facilitated this impartation, echoing earlier patterns in Acts, yet the power source remained God, not the human instrument. The resulting manifestations of speaking in tongues and prophesying were not incidental; they were outward, audibly recognizable proofs of the Spirit's dynamic presence, affirming their full initiation into the New Covenant. This moment marked their spiritual equipping, enabling them to worship, witness, and serve with divine power in a pagan city, illustrating the universal availability and the undeniable impact of the Holy Spirit's indwelling for all who truly embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.