Acts 19:3

Translations

Modern

“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.

Traditional

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

Literal

And he said, “Into what, then, were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John's baptism.”

Latin

Ille vero ait: In quo ergo baptizati estis? Qui dixerunt: In Joannis baptismate.

Original

Greek

English

“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.

Notes

Acts 19:1–7

Paul traveled to Ephesus after Apollos had left. Later, Apollos returned to Ephesus while Paul was still there (1 Corinthians 16:12). The two men had different personalities, gifts, and roles, but God worked through both of them.
Some Christians in Ephesus did not fully understand the Christian faith (Acts 18:26). They did not receive the Holy Spirit when they believed the good news about Jesus. They had accepted John's baptism, which called for repentance from sin, but had not received Christian baptism, which included the gift of the Holy Spirit. When Paul had instructed them further, they were able to receive Christian baptism and the Holy Spirit (19:5, 6).

Acts 18:23–19:41

This section describes Paul's third mission journey, which happened around AD 53 to 57. Paul visited Galatia and Phrygia again to build stronger relationships with the disciples (18:23). He then traveled to Ephesus, where he stayed for more than two years (19:1, 8–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Ephesus John the Baptist Paul (Saul) Baptism

Events

Related verses

Acts 18:25
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
Luke 3:1–38
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
Acts 8:16
For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 3:1–17
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

Parallels

Acts 10:44–48

People

John: The Baptist, a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus

Glossary

Asiarch Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) First Letter to the Corinthians Letter to the Colossians Letter to the Ephesians Paul the Apostle Philippians, Letter to the Spirit of God Timothy, First Letter to Travel

Topics

Baptism with the Holy Spirit: Necessity For Baptism: John's Holy Spirit: General Scriptures Concerning

Acts 19:3

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