Acts 19:7

The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus · Acts 19:1–7
Read Acts 19

Translations

Modern
There were about twelve men in all.
Traditional
And all the men were about twelve.
Literal
And there were in all about twelve men.
Latin
Erant autem omnes viri fere duodecim.

Original

Greek
English
There were about twelve men in all.

Notes

  • 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).

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

Parallels

Acts 10:44–48

Glossary

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