Acts 19:5

KJV

When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} they heard {G191} this, they were baptized {G907} in {G1519} the name {G3686} of the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing this, they were immersed into the name of the Lord Yeshua;

Berean Standard Bible

On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

American Standard Version

And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 19:5 records a pivotal moment in Ephesus where certain disciples, who had previously only received John's baptism, were re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus after hearing Paul's teaching. This event underscores the transformative power of a complete understanding of Christ's identity and work, marking their full identification with Him and the new covenant inaugurated through His life, death, and resurrection. It highlights the distinction between a preparatory baptism and the definitive Christian baptism that signifies allegiance to Jesus as Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 19:5 immediately follows Paul's arrival in Ephesus and his encounter with a group of disciples (Acts 19:1-2). Paul discerns that, despite being "disciples," they lack the Holy Spirit and an understanding of Christian baptism. Upon questioning, they reveal they only know "John's baptism" (Acts 19:3). Paul then explains that John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, pointing to the one who was to come, namely Jesus (Acts 19:4). Verse 5 is the direct response to Paul's clear exposition, demonstrating their immediate obedience and progression from an incomplete understanding to a full embrace of Christ through baptism in His name. This passage serves as a bridge, illustrating the transition from the Old Covenant preparations to the New Covenant realities, and sets the stage for the powerful ministry Paul would have in Ephesus, including the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ephesus was a prominent city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its immense temple dedicated to Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a bustling commercial and religious center, a melting pot of various beliefs and practices. The continued presence of "disciples" who had only received John's baptism indicates the lasting influence of John the Baptist's movement, even decades after his ministry. John's baptism was a significant Jewish ritual of repentance and preparation for the Messiah. However, with the advent of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Christian baptism took on a new, definitive meaning—identification with Christ's death and resurrection. This encounter in Ephesus highlights the early church's need to clarify and distinguish Christian practice from earlier, preparatory movements, ensuring that converts fully understood and embraced the unique significance of faith in Jesus Christ.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes the **centrality and sufficiency of Jesus Christ** for salvation and spiritual understanding. John's baptism, while valid for its purpose, was incomplete; it pointed to Christ, but only faith and identification with Christ through Christian baptism brought full inclusion in the new covenant. Secondly, it highlights the **importance of proper Christian initiation**, demonstrating that baptism is not merely a ritual but an act of profound theological significance, signifying allegiance to the Lord Jesus. This aligns with the Great Commission's command to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Triune God, which implicitly includes the authority of Christ (see [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). Thirdly, the passage subtly reinforces the **role of apostolic teaching** in clarifying doctrine and guiding believers into a fuller understanding of the gospel, as Paul's instruction leads to their correct baptism and subsequent reception of the Holy Spirit (see [Acts 19:6](/acts/19-6 "Acts 19:6 - The Holy Spirit Comes Upon Them")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb signifies to hear in various senses, including to give audience, to come to the ears, to understand. In this context, it implies not merely an auditory reception of Paul's words, but a cognitive and spiritual comprehension of the deeper truth about Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of John's preparatory message. Their "hearing" led to immediate action, indicating a genuine understanding and acceptance of Paul's teaching.
* **Baptized (Greek, _baptízō'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to immerse" or "submerge," this term in the New Testament is used specifically for ceremonial ablution, particularly the ordinance of Christian baptism. It implies being fully wet, signifying a complete immersion. Here, it denotes the act of water baptism as a public declaration and symbolic identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, marking their initiation into the Christian community.
* **Name (Greek, _ónoma'_):** This word, meaning "name," extends beyond a mere label to encompass authority, character, and person. To be baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus" signifies being baptized into union with His person, under His authority, and into allegiance to His character and lordship. It is a profound spiritual commitment that places the believer under the ownership and power of Jesus Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they heard [this]":** This opening clause indicates the disciples' response to Paul's explanation in Acts 19:4. Paul had clarified that John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, urging belief in the one who was to come—Jesus. Their "hearing" implies not just listening, but understanding and accepting the truth of Paul's teaching regarding Jesus as the Messiah and the purpose of John's ministry in relation to Him. This understanding was foundational for their subsequent action.
* **"they were baptized":** This phrase describes the physical act of water baptism. The passive voice ("they were baptized") suggests that the action was performed upon them, likely by Paul or his companions. This was not a re-baptism in the sense of invalidating their previous experience, but rather a completion or fulfillment of their spiritual journey, moving from a preparatory understanding to full identification with Christ through the Christian ordinance.
* **"in the name of the Lord Jesus":** This is the crucial theological phrase. The Greek preposition *eis* ("in" or "into") here signifies more than just "by the authority of." It implies "into union with," "into identification with," or "into allegiance to" the Lord Jesus. It means their baptism was performed with Jesus as its object and authority, signifying their submission to His lordship, their identification with His saving work (death, burial, resurrection), and their entrance into a relationship with Him as their Lord and Savior. This phrase encapsulates the essence of Christian baptism as distinct from any other ritual.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Narrative Progression**, showing a clear sequence of events: Paul's questioning, his explanation, the disciples' hearing, and their subsequent baptism. This progression highlights the dynamic nature of early Christian evangelism and discipleship. **Symbolism** is central, as baptism itself is a powerful symbol of spiritual transformation, death to an old way of life, and resurrection to new life in Christ. The phrase "in the name of the Lord Jesus" carries deep **Theological Significance**, emphasizing the authority and person of Jesus as the focal point of Christian faith and practice. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between the preparatory nature of John's baptism and the definitive, Christ-centered nature of Christian baptism, underscoring the completeness found in Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 19:5 profoundly illustrates the theological significance of Christian baptism as an act of identification with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not merely a ritualistic washing but a public declaration of allegiance to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Being baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus" signifies that the believer is brought into union with Christ, participating symbolically in His death, burial, and resurrection. This act marks a transition from an incomplete understanding or preparatory faith to a full embrace of the new covenant realities found in Christ. It underscores the unique authority of Jesus and His centrality in the Christian faith, distinguishing Christian initiation from all other forms of religious practice. This passage reinforces that true baptism is rooted in a clear understanding of who Jesus is and a personal commitment to His lordship.

* [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - United with Christ in Baptism")
* [Galatians 3:27](/galatians/3-27 "Galatians 3:27 - Clothed with Christ")
* [Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Colossians 2:12 - Buried and Raised with Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 19:5 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today regarding the foundational importance of understanding and embracing the full implications of Jesus' lordship. Just as these Ephesian disciples moved from an incomplete understanding to a complete identification with Christ, so too are we called to continually deepen our knowledge of Him and live in full submission to His authority. Our baptism, whether as infants or professing believers, is meant to be a tangible symbol of our union with Christ, a public declaration that we have died to our old selves and been raised to new life in Him. This verse challenges us to examine the sincerity of our faith and the depth of our commitment, ensuring that our Christian practices are rooted in a genuine, informed, and transformative relationship with the Lord Jesus. It calls us to live out the implications of being "in His name"—to bear His character, live under His authority, and proclaim His message to the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of Jesus' lordship impact my daily decisions and my overall life direction?**
* **In what ways do I live out the symbolic reality of my baptism—dying to sin and living a new life in Christ?**
* **Am I continually seeking to deepen my knowledge and understanding of Jesus, or am I content with an incomplete grasp of His identity and work?**

### FAQ

**Why were these disciples re-baptized, and does this imply that John's baptism was insufficient?**

Answer: These disciples were not "re-baptized" in the sense that their previous experience was invalid or sinful, but rather their baptism was completed in light of the full revelation of Jesus Christ. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, preparing people for the coming Messiah and urging them to believe in the one who was to come after him (as clarified by Paul in [Acts 19:4](/acts/19-4 "Acts 19:4 - John's Baptism and the Coming Messiah")). It was a valid and necessary step in God's redemptive plan, but it was preparatory. Once the Messiah, Jesus, had come, died, risen, and ascended, and the Holy Spirit had been poured out, Christian baptism took on a new, definitive meaning. It became an act of identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and a public declaration of faith in Him as Lord. The disciples in Ephesus, upon hearing the full gospel message from Paul, recognized the deeper truth and the necessity of aligning themselves fully with Christ through Christian baptism, which also brought with it the reception of the Holy Spirit (as seen in [Acts 19:6](/acts/19-6 "Acts 19:6 - The Holy Spirit Comes Upon Them")).

**Is baptism "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (as seen here and elsewhere in Acts) different from the Trinitarian formula in Matthew 28:19 ("in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit")?**

Answer: No, they are not contradictory, but rather complementary expressions of the same theological reality. The phrase "in the name of the Lord Jesus" primarily emphasizes the authority under which the baptism is performed and the person into whom the believer is being initiated. It signifies that the baptism is done by Christ's command, for His glory, and brings the believer into union with Him. The Trinitarian formula in [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission") provides the comprehensive divine identity of the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) into whose fellowship and service believers are brought. Since Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, baptism in Jesus' name implicitly acknowledges the entire Godhead, as it is through Christ's work that we are reconciled to the Father and receive the Spirit. The early church's practice in Acts, often summarized as "in the name of the Lord Jesus," likely served as a concise way to distinguish Christian baptism from other forms of washing, highlighting its unique connection to the saving work of Christ. Both expressions ultimately point to the same foundational truth: Christian baptism is an act of initiation into the Triune God, made possible and authoritative through the Lord Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 19:5 profoundly points to the centrality of Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of all preparatory measures and the singular object of saving faith. The disciples' re-baptism "in the name of the Lord Jesus" signifies that Jesus is the one in whom all promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")). John's baptism, while divinely ordained, was incomplete without the full revelation of Christ. It was Jesus who truly inaugurated the new covenant through His death, burial, and resurrection, making possible the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. To be baptized "in His name" means to be identified with His finished work on the cross, to participate in His death to sin and His resurrection to new life ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - United with Christ in Baptism")). It is through Jesus that believers are reconciled to God, receive the Holy Spirit ([Acts 2:38](/acts/2-38 "Acts 2:38 - Repentance, Baptism, and the Holy Spirit")), and are adopted into God's family. This passage beautifully illustrates that all true spiritual progression and initiation culminate in a vibrant, transformative relationship with the Lord Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, 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 8:12

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:16

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 6:3

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Romans 6:4

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 Corinthians 10:2

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

1 Corinthians 1:13

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?