Acts 19:4

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Then {G1161} said {G2036} Paul {G3972}, John {G2491} verily {G3303} baptized {G907} with the baptism {G908} of repentance {G3341}, saying {G3004} unto the people {G2992}, that {G2443} they should believe {G4100} on {G1519} him which should come {G2064} after {G3326} him {G846}, that is {G5123}, on {G1519} Christ {G5547} Jesus {G2424}.

Sha’ul said, “Yochanan practiced an immersion in connection with turning from sin to God; but he told the people to put their trust in the one who would come after him, that is, in Yeshua.”

Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

And 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.

Commentary

Acts 19:4 captures a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry in Ephesus, where he encounters disciples who had only received John the Baptist's baptism. This verse clarifies the purpose and limitations of John's ministry, contrasting it with the full revelation of Christ and the subsequent Christian baptism.

Context

Upon arriving in the prominent city of Ephesus, Paul found certain disciples who, despite their spiritual earnestness, were unaware of the Holy Spirit and the complete Christian message. This verse records Paul's explanation to them, laying the groundwork for their understanding of the baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, which follows in the subsequent verses of Acts 19. It highlights the crucial transition from the preparatory phase of God's plan to its fulfillment in Christ's coming, death, and resurrection.

Key Themes

  • The Preparatory Role of John's Baptism: John the Baptist's ministry was divine but temporary. His "baptism of repentance" (Greek: baptisma metanoias) was a call for people to turn from sin and prepare their hearts for the Messiah. It symbolized an inward change and readiness for God's kingdom, but it did not confer the Holy Spirit or complete salvation in Christ.
  • The Unwavering Focus on Christ: John's consistent and primary message was to point people to "him which should come after him," unequivocally identified as Christ Jesus. This emphasizes that all Old Testament prophecy, and preparatory ministries like John's, ultimately converge on Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises and the central figure of salvation.
  • The Necessity of Faith in Christ: Paul underscores that the culmination of John's preaching was the call to "believe on him." This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative trust and commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior, which is foundational to the Christian faith and the true path to eternal life.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "baptism of repentance" (Greek: baptisma metanoias) is significant. The Greek word metanoia implies a profound change of mind, a turning around from one's former way of life towards God. John's baptism was a public declaration of this spiritual turnaround, a readiness for the coming King and His kingdom, but it was incomplete without explicit faith in Jesus Christ.

Practical Application

Acts 19:4 reminds us that spiritual understanding can be progressive. Just as these Ephesian disciples needed further instruction, we too must continually grow in our knowledge of Christ and the full gospel. It reinforces the timeless truth that salvation is found solely through faith in Christ Jesus, not merely through ritual, partial understanding, or good intentions. Our repentance should always lead us to a deeper trust and commitment to Him who came to save, culminating in a life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 1:5

    For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

  • Acts 11:16

    Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

  • John 1:29

    ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

  • John 1:34

    And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

  • John 1:7

    The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe.

  • John 1:27

    He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

  • Luke 3:16

    John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
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