Acts 18:28

KJV

For he mightily convinced the Jews, [and that] publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} he mightily {G2159} convinced {G1246} the Jews {G2453}, and that publickly {G1219}, shewing {G1925} by {G1223} the scriptures {G1124} that Jesus {G2424} was {G1511} Christ {G5547}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for he powerfully and conclusively refuted the unbelieving Jews in public, demonstrating by the Tanakh that Yeshua is the Messiah.

Berean Standard Bible

For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

American Standard Version

for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 18:28 powerfully summarizes Apollos's ministry in Achaia, specifically his impactful engagement with the Jewish community. It highlights his exceptional ability to persuasively demonstrate, through a thorough exposition of the Old Testament Scriptures, that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the long-awaited Messiah (Christ). This public and potent argumentation served to confirm the truth of the gospel, building upon the foundational work laid by others and solidifying the early Christian message among both Jewish and Gentile audiences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative segment concerning Apollos, introduced in [Acts 18:24](/acts/18-24 "Acts 18:24 - Introduction of Apollos"). He is depicted as an eloquent and scripturally astute Jew from Alexandria who, though initially knowing only John's baptism, received more complete instruction from Priscilla and Aquila in [Acts 18:26](/acts/18-26 "Acts 18:26 - Priscilla and Aquila Instruct Apollos"). Having been commended by the Ephesian believers to the disciples in Achaia (likely Corinth), Apollos "helped them much which had believed through grace" ([Acts 18:27](/acts/18-27 "Acts 18:27 - Apollos Helps Believers in Achaia")). Verse 28 then details the specific nature and effectiveness of his ministry, focusing on his public refutation of Jewish opponents by demonstrating Jesus' messianic identity from the Hebrew Scriptures, thereby bridging the narrative from Apollos's preparation to his powerful public proclamation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The first-century Jewish community, both in Judea and across the diaspora, held the Hebrew Scriptures (what Christians call the Old Testament) as their authoritative divine revelation. Their expectation of a Messiah was deeply rooted in these texts, though interpretations varied widely regarding his nature and mission. For early Christian evangelists like Apollos, the primary apologetic task when engaging with Jews was to prove that Jesus fulfilled these messianic prophecies. Public debate in synagogues or other open forums was a common method of intellectual and religious discourse in this period. The ability to "convince" or "refute" opponents in such settings was crucial for establishing credibility and winning converts, especially in a city like Corinth, known for its intellectual and rhetorical prowess.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 18:28 encapsulates several recurring themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **authority and centrality of the Old Testament Scriptures** in proclaiming the Gospel, a method consistently employed by Peter ([Acts 2:16-36](/acts/2-16-36 "Acts 2:16-36 - Peter's Sermon at Pentecost")), Stephen ([Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Speech")), and Paul ([Acts 17:2-3](/acts/17-2-3 "Acts 17:2-3 - Paul Reasons from the Scriptures in Thessalonica")). Secondly, it highlights the **identity of Jesus as the Christ (Messiah)**, which is the core theological assertion of the early church and the central point of contention with Jewish audiences. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the **power of Spirit-empowered proclamation and argumentation**, demonstrating how God uses gifted individuals like Apollos to effectively advance His kingdom. Finally, it subtly points to the **unity and collaboration within the early church**, as Apollos's ministry complements and builds upon the work of Paul and the instruction received from Priscilla and Aquila.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **mightily (Greek, _eutónōs'_):** This adverb, derived from a word meaning "well-strung" or "intensely," describes the manner of Apollos's convincing. It conveys a sense of vigor, forcefulness, and cogency. Apollos did not merely suggest or mildly persuade; his arguments were robust, well-reasoned, and delivered with great conviction and power, making them highly effective.
* **convinced (Greek, _diakatelénchomai'_):** This verb, in the middle voice, is a strong term meaning "to prove downright," "to thoroughly refute," or "to confute decisively." It implies a complete and overwhelming defeat of opposing arguments, leaving no room for doubt or counter-argument. Apollos's scriptural demonstrations were so compelling that they thoroughly silenced or won over his Jewish interlocutors.
* **scriptures (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** This noun refers to a "document," specifically "holy Writ." In this context, it unequivocally denotes the Old Testament Scriptures, which were revered by the Jews as the inspired Word of God. The verse emphasizes that Apollos's power to convince came not from his own eloquence alone, but from his skillful and authoritative use of these sacred texts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he mightily convinced the Jews,"**: This clause establishes the primary action and its target. Apollos engaged directly with the Jewish community, who were often the initial audience for the gospel message. The adverb "mightily" (eutónōs) and the verb "convinced" (diakatelénchomai) underscore the profound and decisive impact of his argumentation, indicating a thorough and powerful refutation of their objections or a compelling demonstration of truth that left them without a counter-argument.
* **"and that publickly,"**: This phrase specifies the setting and nature of Apollos's ministry. His efforts were not confined to private discussions but took place openly, likely in synagogues or other public forums. This public demonstration added weight to his arguments, allowing for open scrutiny and debate, and ensuring widespread witness to his powerful exposition of the Scriptures.
* **"shewing by the scriptures"**: This clause reveals the method and authority behind Apollos's conviction. His arguments were not based on personal opinion, philosophical speculation, or mere rhetoric, but were firmly grounded in the Old Testament Scriptures. He "showed" or "exhibited" the truth, presenting clear and undeniable evidence from the very texts that his Jewish audience held sacred.
* **"that Jesus was Christ."**: This is the core message and the ultimate conclusion of Apollos's scriptural exposition. The central point of his "showing" was to establish the identity of Jesus of Nazareth as the long-awaited Christ, or Messiah. This assertion was the critical bridge between Jewish expectation and Christian belief, demonstrating that God's ancient promises found their fulfillment in Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Emphasis** is evident in the adverbs "mightily" (eutónōs) and "publickly" (dēmósios), which highlight the forcefulness and open nature of Apollos's ministry. This creates a vivid picture of a compelling and undeniable proclamation. The phrase "shewing by the scriptures" functions as a form of **Apologia** or **Apologetics**, demonstrating a reasoned defense of the Christian faith grounded in authoritative texts. This method underscores the intellectual and theological rigor of early Christian evangelism. Furthermore, the entire verse serves as a concise **Summary Statement**, encapsulating the essence of Apollos's effective ministry and his central theological declaration, providing a powerful conclusion to his introduction in Acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 18:28 profoundly illustrates the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The early apostles consistently appealed to the Hebrew Scriptures as the authoritative witness to Jesus' messianic identity, demonstrating that Christianity was not a new religion but the culmination of God's ancient plan of salvation. Apollos's ministry, characterized by his rigorous scriptural exposition, underscores the enduring power of God's Word to convince and transform hearts. This approach reflects the conviction that the Old Testament is fundamentally Christ-centered, providing the necessary foundation for understanding who Jesus is and what He accomplished.

* [Acts 17:2-3](/acts/17-2-3 "Paul's Method of Reasoning from the Scriptures")
* [Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Jesus Explains the Scriptures Concerning Himself")
* [John 5:39](/john/5-39 "The Scriptures Testify of Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Apollos's example in Acts 18:28 offers profound lessons for believers today. It underscores the indispensable role of biblical literacy and sound theological understanding in effective ministry and witness. Like Apollos, we are called to be deeply rooted in God's Word, not merely for personal edification, but so that we might "mightily convince" others of the truth of the Gospel. This conviction should empower us to engage in public and transparent witness, unafraid to articulate and defend our faith in the marketplace of ideas. Furthermore, Apollos's willingness to be taught by Priscilla and Aquila ([Acts 18:26](/acts/18-26 "Priscilla and Aquila Instruct Apollos")) reminds us that even the most gifted among us benefit from mentorship and a posture of continuous learning. Our eloquence and knowledge are most potent when submitted to the Spirit's leading and grounded in the unchanging truth of Scripture, enabling us to clearly show that Jesus is indeed the Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Apollos's reliance on "the scriptures" challenge or affirm my own approach to sharing the Gospel?**
* **In what ways can I become more "mightily convinced" of the truth of Christ, so that my witness might be more powerful?**
* **What opportunities do I have to engage "publickly" with the message of Jesus, and what holds me back?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of the Old Testament to better "show that Jesus was Christ"?**

### FAQ
**Who was Apollos and why was his ministry so effective?**

Answer: Apollos was an eloquent and learned Jew from Alexandria, described as "mighty in the scriptures" ([Acts 18:24](/acts/18-24 "Acts 18:24 - Introduction of Apollos")). Although initially knowing only the baptism of John, he was more fully instructed in "the way of God" by Priscilla and Aquila ([Acts 18:26](/acts/18-26 "Acts 18:26 - Priscilla and Aquila Instruct Apollos")). His effectiveness stemmed from a powerful combination of factors: his natural eloquence, his profound knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures, his spiritual fervor, and his willingness to be discipled. These qualities enabled him to "mightily convince" his audiences by presenting compelling scriptural evidence that Jesus was the Messiah.

**What does it mean that Jesus "was Christ"?**

Answer: The term "Christ" (Greek: _Christos_) is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word "Messiah" (Hebrew: _Mashiach_), both meaning "Anointed One." For Jews, the Messiah was the long-awaited deliverer, king, and savior prophesied in the Old Testament. When Apollos "shewed by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ," he was demonstrating that Jesus of Nazareth, through His life, death, and resurrection, perfectly fulfilled all the prophecies concerning the Anointed One. This was the central theological claim of the early church, asserting that God's redemptive plan, foretold for centuries, had culminated in Jesus.

**Why was it important to convince the Jews "publickly"?**

Answer: Convincing the Jews "publickly" was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, public discourse was a common and accepted method of religious and philosophical debate in the ancient world, particularly in synagogues where such discussions often took place. Secondly, a public demonstration of truth provided undeniable evidence that could not be easily dismissed or refuted in private. It allowed for open scrutiny of Apollos's arguments and the scriptural evidence he presented. Thirdly, public conviction served as a powerful witness to a wider audience, including both Jews and Gentiles, validating the Christian message and building confidence among new believers. It underscored the transparency and intellectual robustness of the early Christian proclamation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 18:28, while detailing Apollos's powerful ministry, ultimately points beyond Apollos to the one he proclaimed: Jesus Christ. The entire thrust of Apollos's "mightily convincing" and "shewing by the scriptures" was to demonstrate that Jesus was the fulfillment of God's ancient promises. This echoes the very method of Jesus Himself, who, after His resurrection, "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). The Old Testament, as Apollos so effectively showed, is not merely a collection of historical narratives or moral codes, but a grand narrative culminating in the person and work of Jesus. Every sacrifice, every prophecy, every deliverer, every king, every priest in the Old Testament finds its ultimate meaning and completion in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), and the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings"). Apollos's ministry, therefore, was a Christ-centered ministry, demonstrating that the entire biblical story is a testament to Jesus as the promised Messiah, the only way to salvation ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 18:5

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews [that] Jesus [was] Christ.

Acts 9:22

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Luke 24:44

And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1 Corinthians 15:4

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Acts 26:22

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

Acts 26:23

That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.