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Acts 19

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

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.

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

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

And all the men were about twelve.

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

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.

So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

Moreover 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 be no gods, which are made with hands:

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

What does Acts 19:10 mean?

Explanation

Acts 19:10 is a verse that details the powerful and extensive impact of Paul's missionary work in the city of Ephesus, located in Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey.

The verse tells us that over the course of two years, Paul engaged in daily discussions in the Hall of Tyrannus, a lecture hall in Ephesus.

The verse underscores the thoroughness and reach of his ministry, as he not only preached to the Jews in the synagogue but also to the Greeks (Gentiles) in more public locales.

Thus, the word of the Lord Jesus spread widely and reached a diverse audience throughout the region of Asia.

The deeper meaning of the verse highlights the effectiveness of persistent and long-term ministry, as well as the power of the Gospel message to transcend cultural barriers between Jews and Greeks.

The spread of Christianity in Ephesus served as a catalyst for further spreading throughout Asia Minor.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

During the time when Acts was written, Asia referred to the Roman province of Asia, known today as the western part of Turkey.

This region had a heterogeneous population with different ethnic groups, languages, and religious beliefs.

Paul's mission in Ephesus, as described, falls within his third missionary journey, around AD 52-57.

Ephesus was a significant city of trade, a hub of magical arts, and a center for the cult of Artemis (also called Diana).

The influence of Paul's teaching over two years would have had a considerable effect on the city's cultural and religious landscape, as it challenged both the traditional Jewish beliefs and the pagan practices prevalent in the area.

Theological Insights

This verse offers several theological insights:

The sovereignty of God in spreading the Gospel.

It highlights the idea that the spread of the word of the Lord is ultimately under God's direction and power.

The role of human agency in the work of evangelism.

Paul's dedication and strategic approach to teaching daily underscore the human responsibility in sharing the Gospel.

The unity of the church.

The message of Jesus was for both Jews and Greeks, showing early indications of the breaking down of barriers between different people groups within the Christian faith.

Different Christian traditions might emphasize various aspects of this text. For example, Evangelical viewpoints might stress the importance of personal evangelism and discipleship based on Paul's model.

In contrast, other traditions may see this as an example of the work of the Holy Spirit in converting hearts.

Practical Applications

The verse offers several practical applications for modern believers:

The importance of consistent and persistent ministry.

Paul's two-year mission in Ephesus demonstrates the value of long-term commitment to a community.

The need for cultural engagement.

Paul did not limit himself to the synagogue but expanded his teaching to a secular venue, which suggests that Christians should seek to engage with the broader culture.

The encouragement for modern evangelism.

Believers are called to spread the Gospel across cultural boundaries, as did Paul in Asia.

Cross-References

Acts 18:9-11: Paul is encouraged to speak boldly in Corinth without fear, leading to a lengthy stay and a successful ministry.
Acts 20:31: Paul reminds the Ephesian elders that he taught them for three years, again emphasizing the duration of his ministry.
Romans 10:17: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words to analyze include:

"Two years" (ἔτη δύο, etē duo): Signifies a significant period of time dedicated to the mission.
"Asia" (Ἀσίαν, Asian): Refers to the Roman province, not the entire continent.
"All" (πάντας, pantas): Indicative of the broad, inclusive reach of Paul's ministry.
"Word of the Lord" (λόγον τοῦ κυρίου, logon tou kyriou): Denotes the message about Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this verse with other ancient religions, it's significant to note that mystery religions and cultic practices like those devoted to the goddess Artemis offered secretive knowledge and exclusive initiations.

In contrast, Christianity, as presented by Paul, was inclusive and public in its proclamation.

The spread of ideas in ancient times was often linked to trade routes and cultural exchanges. The prominence of Ephesus as a trade city would have contributed to the dissemination of Christian teachings, much as other philosophies spread along similar routes.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, one might consider the cognitive and social processes by which new religious movements spread within diverse populations.

The social-network theory could be applied to understand how Paul's teachings spread throughout Asia, suggesting that interpersonal connections and social influence were critical for the dissemination of Christian beliefs.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries offer diverse insights on Acts 19:10:

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the providence of God in the spread of the Gospel through Paul's efforts and the significance of the word of God in enlightening the darkness of heathen nations.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the unusual opportunity afforded to Paul for uninterrupted preaching and teaching, highlighting the impact of this period on the Ephesian church and its influence in Asia.
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible notes the unusual duration of Paul's stay and teaching in Ephesus and how the Gospel's reach extended to all residents of the province, signaling substantial church growth.

Different commentaries underscore aspects such as the strategic nature of Paul's mission, the divine enablement for the work of ministry, and the transformative effect of the Gospel on both individuals and societies.

Acts 19

Acts 19

What does Acts 19:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 19:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?