Acts 19:6

KJV

And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when Paul {G3972} had laid {G2007} his hands {G5495} upon {G2007} them {G846}, the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} came {G2064} on {G1909} them {G846}; and {G5037} they spake {G2980} with tongues {G1100}, and {G2532} prophesied {G4395}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and when Sha’ul placed his hands on them, the Ruach HaKodesh came upon them; so that they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Berean Standard Bible

And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

American Standard Version

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 19:6 describes a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry in Ephesus, where a group of disciples, previously only familiar with John's baptism, received the Holy Spirit. Following their baptism in the name of Jesus and Paul's laying on of hands, they experienced immediate and tangible manifestations of the Spirit's presence, speaking in tongues and prophesying. This event underscores the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers and the early church's mission, serving as a powerful confirmation of the new covenant reality and the apostolic message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's third missionary journey, specifically during his extended stay in Ephesus. Immediately preceding this event, Paul encountered about twelve disciples who, despite being believers, had only received [John's baptism](/acts/19-3 "Acts 19:3 - John's Baptism") and were unaware of the Holy Spirit's existence or outpouring. Paul's inquiry about their reception of the Spirit (Acts 19:2) and their subsequent instruction and [baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus](/acts/19-5 "Acts 19:5 - Baptism in Jesus' Name") set the stage for the Spirit's arrival in Acts 19:6. This narrative sequence highlights the transition from preparatory ministries (like John's) to the full experience of the Christian faith, marked by the indwelling and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. The events here parallel earlier instances in Acts, such as the Samaritans' reception of the Spirit through Peter and John (Acts 8:14-17), emphasizing a consistent pattern of apostolic confirmation for new groups of believers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ephesus was a prominent city in the Roman province of Asia, renowned for its temple to Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a hub of pagan worship, magic, and diverse philosophical and religious currents, making it a strategic center for the spread of the Gospel. The disciples Paul encountered likely represented a remnant of John the Baptist's followers who, perhaps due to geographical isolation or incomplete teaching, had not yet fully grasped the implications of Jesus' death, resurrection, and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The practice of laying on hands for the impartation of the Spirit was a recognized apostolic act, signifying spiritual transfer, blessing, or commissioning, and served as a visible sign of God's work through His chosen instruments in the early church.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 19:6 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Acts. Foremost is the **Empowerment by the Holy Spirit**, which is the driving force behind the church's expansion and witness, as promised by Jesus in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power for Witness"). The verse also underscores the **Completeness of Christian Conversion**, emphasizing that true faith involves not just repentance and water baptism, but also the reception of the Holy Spirit, who indwells and empowers believers. The **Apostolic Authority** of Paul is evident, as his ministry serves as the conduit for the Spirit's impartation, mirroring the actions of Peter and John in Samaria ([Acts 8:14-17](/acts/8-14-17 "Acts 8:14-17 - Spirit Given Through Apostles")). Furthermore, the **Manifestation of Spiritual Gifts** (tongues and prophecy) highlights the tangible evidence of the Spirit's presence, serving both as a sign to unbelievers and for the edification of the church, echoing the events of Pentecost in [Acts 2:4](/acts/2-4 "Acts 2:4 - Pentecost Outpouring").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **laid (Greek, _epitíthēmi'_):** This verb, meaning "to impose" or "to put upon," describes Paul's physical action of placing his hands on the disciples. In biblical context, the laying on of hands was a significant gesture used for various purposes: blessing, commissioning, healing, and, as here, the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Its use here emphasizes a deliberate, volitional act by Paul, serving as an outward sign accompanying the inward spiritual transaction.
* **Ghost (Greek, _pneûma'_):** While the KJV uses "Ghost," the Greek term _pneûma_ refers to a "spirit," "breath," or "wind." In this context, when combined with _hágios_ ("Holy"), it unequivocally denotes the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The word signifies the divine, invisible, and powerful presence that "came on them," indicating a supernatural invasion and indwelling of God's Spirit in the believers.
* **tongues (Greek, _glōssa'_):** This word literally means "tongue" but by implication refers to a "language," especially one "naturally unacquired." In the context of the Holy Spirit's manifestation, it refers to the supernatural ability to speak in languages unknown to the speaker, often for the purpose of communicating divine truth or for prayer and praise. This phenomenon, known as glossolalia, was a prominent sign of the Spirit's outpouring in the early church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them,"**: This clause describes the specific action taken by Paul. The laying on of hands was a customary practice in the early church, often associated with the impartation of spiritual gifts, healing, or commissioning. It signifies a direct, personal connection and the channeling of divine power or blessing through an apostle. This act, following their baptism in Jesus' name, was the immediate precursor to the Spirit's arrival.
* **"the Holy Ghost came on them;"**: This is the central event of the verse. The "coming on" or "falling upon" of the Holy Spirit denotes a powerful, discernible experience of the Spirit's presence and power. It signifies the indwelling and empowering of these believers by God's Spirit, marking their full inclusion into the new covenant community and equipping them for Christian life and service.
* **"and they spake with tongues,"**: This describes the first of two immediate, tangible manifestations of the Holy Spirit's presence. Speaking with tongues (glossolalia) refers to the miraculous ability to speak in unlearned languages, a sign that confirmed the divine origin of the experience and the message. It was a public and audible demonstration of the Spirit's power.
* **"and prophesied."**: This describes the second immediate manifestation. Prophesying, in the New Testament context, involves speaking under divine inspiration. While it can include foretelling the future, it primarily refers to "forth-telling" God's truth, proclaiming His word, exhorting, edifying, or comforting the church. This gift further demonstrated the Spirit's empowering presence and equipped the disciples for ministry.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative employs **Cause and Effect** to clearly link Paul's actions to the divine response and subsequent manifestations. Paul's laying on of hands is the direct cause, leading to the effect of the Spirit's arrival, which in turn causes the effects of speaking in tongues and prophesying. This sequence emphasizes the direct and immediate nature of God's work. The passage also utilizes **Descriptive Language** to paint a vivid picture of the spiritual event, using active verbs like "laid," "came," "spake," and "prophesied" to convey the dynamic and powerful nature of the Holy Spirit's work. Furthermore, there is an element of **Confirmation** through the visible and audible signs of tongues and prophecy, which serve as undeniable evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence and the validity of Paul's teaching, mirroring the initial outpouring at Pentecost.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 19:6 profoundly illustrates the normative experience of the Holy Spirit's reception in the early church, emphasizing that a complete Christian experience involves not only repentance and water baptism but also the empowering indwelling of the Spirit. This event highlights the Spirit's role in equipping believers for witness and ministry, demonstrating that the gifts of tongues and prophecy were not merely isolated phenomena but integral expressions of the Spirit's work in the nascent Christian community. It underscores the transition from a preparatory faith (John's baptism) to a full, Spirit-empowered walk with Christ, confirming the new covenant reality where the Spirit is poured out on all believers.

* [Acts 2:4](/acts/2-4 "Acts 2:4 - Pentecost Outpouring")
* [Acts 8:17](/acts/8-17 "Acts 8:17 - Laying on Hands in Samaria")
* [1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Manifestation of the Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 19:6 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today of the Holy Spirit's vital role in Christian life. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent or traditional practices to seek a vibrant, empowering relationship with the Spirit. While the specific manifestations of tongues and prophecy may not be universally experienced in the same way today, the underlying truth remains: the Holy Spirit is given to indwell, empower, and equip believers for God's purposes. This passage encourages us to be open to the Spirit's leading, to cultivate spiritual gifts for the common good of the church, and to recognize that our faith is not just about historical facts but about a living, dynamic relationship with the Triune God. It calls us to examine the depth of our own spiritual experience, ensuring we are not merely "disciples of John" but fully Spirit-filled followers of Jesus, ready to be used by God for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I recognize the active presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in my own life?**
* **Am I open to the Spirit's gifts and leading, even if they manifest in ways I don't fully understand?**
* **How does the account of these Ephesian disciples challenge my understanding of Christian conversion and spiritual growth?**

### FAQ
**Was the laying on of hands necessary for these disciples to receive the Holy Spirit?**

Answer: While the laying on of hands by apostles often accompanied the reception of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts (e.g., [Acts 8:17](/acts/8-17 "Acts 8:17 - Laying on Hands in Samaria")), it was not the exclusive or universally necessary means. The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost without any human mediation ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - Pentecost Outpouring")), and Cornelius and his household received the Spirit while Peter was still preaching, before baptism or laying on of hands ([Acts 10:44-47](/acts/10-44-47 "Acts 10:44-47 - Gentiles Receive the Spirit")). In the case of the Ephesian disciples, Paul's action of laying on hands served as a significant apostolic confirmation and a visible sign of the Spirit's impartation, particularly given their prior incomplete understanding of Christian truth. It demonstrated the authority of the apostolic ministry in establishing the early church and confirming the full Gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 19:6, though focusing on the Holy Spirit's activity, finds its ultimate significance in Christ. The Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus Himself as [the Helper, the Spirit of truth](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - Promise of the Holy Spirit"), is the very Spirit of Christ who indwells believers ([Romans 8:9-11](/romans/8-9-11 "Romans 8:9-11 - The Indwelling Spirit")). The Ephesian disciples received the Spirit only after being baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus" ([Acts 19:5](/acts/19-5 "Acts 19:5 - Baptism in Jesus' Name")), signifying their identification with Christ's death and resurrection. The Spirit's coming upon them empowered them to bear witness to Christ, as Jesus commanded in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power for Witness"). The gifts of tongues and prophecy, manifested through them, were not ends in themselves but served to glorify Christ, build up His body, and confirm the truth of the Gospel message concerning Him. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit's work, including the impartation of spiritual gifts and the production of [the fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit"), is designed to conform believers to the image of Christ and enable them to participate in His ongoing mission in the world, demonstrating that the Spirit's presence is the very seal of our redemption in Christ ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - Sealed by the Spirit")).

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 6:6

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.

Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Mark 16:17

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

1 Timothy 5:22

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

2 Timothy 1:6

¶ Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Acts 9:17

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 12:8

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;