Acts 19:4 NIV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 19:4

Paul explained to these disciples, as Priscilla and Aquila had undoubtedly explained to Apollos, that John’s baptism was good but insufficient. John had also instructed his disciples to believe in Jesus who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Spirit normally accompanied faith in Jesus. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:1-41

Ephesus1-41. Paul at Ephesus. Opposition of the manufacturers of idols. St. Paul, leaving Antioch in S. Galatia (see Acts 18:23), approached Ephesus not by the usual level route leading through Colossæ and Laodicea (see Colossians 2:1), but through the northern and more mountainous route leading down the Cayster valley (see Acts 19:1, ’the upper coasts,’ RV ’the upper country’). He stayed at Ephesus over two years and three months, see Acts 19:8, Acts 19:10, Acts 19:22 (in Acts 20:31 the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 19:4

(4) John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance.—The words may fairly be regarded as giving the summary of what was actually a fuller teaching. The distinctive point in it was that the baptism of John was, by his own declaration, simply provisional and preparatory. He taught his disciples to believe in Jesus, and belief implied obedience, and obedience baptism in His name. It is not without significance that the list of elementary doctrines in Hebrews 6:1-4, addressed, we may believe,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 19:1-41

There Is a Holy Ghost (For Whit-Sunday) Acts 19:1-2 This singular incident is remarkable as showing that in the apostolical age, as now, there were persons and bodies of persons in possession of fragments of revealed truth, yet altogether strangers to some of its most essential features. I. Real belief in the Holy Ghost implies an habitual sense of the reality of a spiritual and super-sensuous world. If any one thing is certain about Christianity, it is that Christianity is an appeal from the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 19:1-41

CHAPTER 19 1. The second visit of Paul to Ephesus. The twelve disciples of John (Acts 19:1-7 ). 2. The Apostle’s continued labors. The separation of the disciples. The Province Asia evangelized (Acts 19:8-10 ). 3. The Power of God and the Power of Satan (Acts 19:11-20 ). 4. Paul plans to go to Jerusalem and to visit Rome (Acts 19:21-22 ). 5. The opposition and riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41 ). The disciples whom Paul found at Ephesus were disciples of John. The question the Apostle asked... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:1-41

Paul returned to Ephesus, as he had promised. Of course there was an assembly there already, as chapter 18:27 intimates; but he found certain disciples who, at his questioning, tell him they had not even heard that the Holy Spirit had come. They had been baptized, but only with John's baptism. Therefore they were Jewish, of course. No doubt they had believed John's message that announced the Messiah as coming after him, but they had not been baptized to the name of the Lord Jesus. This shows... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 19:1-41

THIRD JOURNEY As in the last lesson, it is recommended that the text of the present one be read through at a single sitting, and two or three times if possible, before considering the comments, which then will be more valuable. Some time had been spent again in Antioch, after which the whole territory of Phrygia and Galatia, in Asia minor, was once more traversed for the purpose indicated in 18:23. Ephesus was duly reached (Acts 19:1 ), where Paul found a condition of things explained by the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 19:1-12

Chapter 70 Prayer Almighty God, thou art near unto us in Christ Jesus thy Son. We come to thee by him, and, therefore, by the only way. We would come boldly in his name, speaking to thee what is in our hearts, telling thee of our sin, singing to thee of our thankfulness, and asking from thee daily direction and continual sustenance. This is our delight; it is no longer a burden to us, because of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts. He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto us.... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Acts 19:1-7

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:1-7

1-7 Paul, at Ephesus, found some religious persons, who looked to Jesus as the Messiah. They had not been led to expect the miraculous powers of the Holy Ghost, nor were they informed that the gospel was especially the ministration of the Spirit. But they spake as ready to welcome the notice of it. Paul shows them that John never design that those he baptized should rest there, but told them that they should believe on Him who should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. They thankfully... read more