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Acts Chapter 19

New Testament Historical 41 Verses

What is Acts 19 about?

The Spirit-empowered expansion of the church from Jerusalem to Rome under the apostles Peter and Paul. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples:
2and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they [said] unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was [given].
3And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John`s baptism.
4And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.
5And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7And they were in all about twelve men.
8And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading [as to] the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
10And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the evil spirits went out.
13But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this.
15And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?
16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.
19And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.
21Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
22And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;
25whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth.
26And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:
27and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus.
29And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul`s companions in travel.
30And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people.
34But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?
36Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash.
37For ye have brought [hither] these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.
38If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.
39But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.
40For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day`s riot, there being no cause [for it]: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.
41And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And it came to pass that while Apollos was at Corinth, etc.] Whither he came after the Apostle Paul, and where he watered what the apostle had planted, and where he became very famous and eminent; insomuch that he was set up, though not with his will, at the head of a party, in opposition to the chief of the apostles, Peter and Paul; (see <460112>1 Corinthians 1:12 3:4-6, 4:6). Paul having passed through the upper coasts; that is, of Phrygia, Galatia, Pontus, Bithynia, Lydia, Lycaonia, and Paphlagonia; came to Ephesus; into Ionia, of which Ephesus was the chief city, and lay near the sea; wherefore the other…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“SIGNAL SUCCESS OF PAUL AT EPHESUS. (Acts 19:1-41) while Apollos was at Corinth--where his ministry was so powerful that a formidable party in the Church of that city gloried in his type of preaching in preference to Paul's (Co1 1:12; Co1 3:4), no doubt from the marked infusion of Greek philosophic culture which distinguished it, and which the apostle studiously avoided (Co1 2:1-5). Paul having passed through the upper coasts--"parts," the interior of Asia Minor, which, with reference to the seacoast, was elevated. came to Ephesus--thus fulfilling his promise (Act 18:21). finding certain disciples--in the same…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“While Apollos was at Corinth - It is probable that he remained there a considerable time. Paul, having passed through the upper coasts - The upper, or more elevated regions of Asia Minor. The writer refers here particularly to the provinces of Phrygia and Galatia, Acts 18:23. These regions were called upper, because they were situated on the high table-land in the interior of Asia Minor, while Ephesus was in the low maritime regions, and called the low country. Came to Ephesus - Agreeably to his promise, Acts 18:21. And finding certain disciples - Certain persons who had been baptized into John’s baptism, and who…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Having passed through - Galatia and Phrygia, which were termed the upper parts of Asia Minor. Certain disciples - Who had been formerly baptized by John the Baptist, and since imperfectly instructed in Christianity. Acts 19:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“19:1-7 Paul traveled to Ephesus after Apollos had left. Subsequently, Apollos returned to Ephesus while Paul was still working there (1 Cor 16:12). The two men had different personalities, gifts, and roles, but God worked through both of them. • Some believers in Ephesus still had an inadequate understanding of the Christian faith (cp. Acts 18:26) and did not receive the Holy Spirit when they believed. 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…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“that: Act 18:24-28; Co1 1:12, Co1 3:4-7, Co1 16:12 Paul: Act 18:23 came: Act 18:19-21 Acts 19:2”
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