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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 19:20 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 19:20, "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed," refers to the successful spread of the Christian message in Ephesus and the broader region.

The term "word of God" typically denotes the teachings and message of Jesus Christ as preached by His followers.

The phrase "grew mightily" suggests a rapid and powerful increase in influence and acceptance among the people.

"Prevailed" implies that the message not only spread but also overcame opposition, whether it be from cultural, religious, or social forces that resisted the spread of Christianity.

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Historical Context

During the time this verse was written, Paul the Apostle was on his third missionary journey, traveling through Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey.

Ephesus was a significant commercial and religious center, known for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

There was strong devotion to pagan gods and robust trade associated with idolatry, which presented substantial resistance to the nascent Christian movement.

It was in this context that the word of God was said to have grown and prevailed, indicating the success of Paul and other Christians in converting many individuals in this challenging environment.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse can be interpreted as indicative of divine power working through human messengers.

The growth of the word of God is often attributed not simply to the efforts of those spreading the message but to the hand of God enabling the reception of the word among the people.

Different theological viewpoints may emphasize various aspects of the verse: for example, Calvinists may see the spreading of the Gospel as evidence of irresistible grace, while Arminians might focus on the human response to the word of God.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can encourage individuals and groups to persevere in their efforts to share their beliefs, values, or beneficial messages, even in the face of opposition. The idea that truth and constructive ideas can ultimately prevail can be a powerful motivator.

Additionally, it serves as a reminder that achieving significant impact often requires patience, dedication, and a conviction that the messages shared can positively influence individuals and societies.

Cross-References

Isaiah 55:11: "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
2 Timothy 2:9: "Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word translated as "mightily" is "δυναμόω" (dunamoō), which implies being strengthened or empowered, with the root "δύναμις" (dunamis) often related to power or ability.

The phrase "grew the word of God" translates from "ηὔξανεν ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ," revealing an organic, living quality to the spread of the message.

The word "prevailed" in Greek is "ἴσχυσεν" (ischysen), derived from "ἰσχύω" (ischuō), which implies having strength and being victorious.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the ancient world, myths and religious movements were often evaluated by their ability to endure and gain acceptance.

The success of a religious idea or message was frequently seen as a sign of divine favor or truth.

The Christian message's spread, as stated in Acts 19:20, echoes similar themes of divine validation found in other ancient religions, where a god or set of gods empowers their followers to overcome challenges and establish a religious practice.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the growth and spread of ideas can be studied under the field of memetics, which treats cultural information as akin to genes in their ability to replicate, mutate, and respond to selective pressures.

While scientific analysis does not affirm or negate the divine aspect of the propagation of religious beliefs, it can offer insights into the mechanisms by which ideas spread and take hold in populations.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse.

For instance, John Calvin might emphasize the sovereignty of God in the spreading of the Gospel, pointing out the divine hand in the swift expansion of the word.

Matthew Henry's commentary would likely focus on the practical aspects, celebrating how the early Church established itself despite cultural and political barriers.

Modern commentaries might explore the sociological implications of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire and consider the interplay between the spiritual, cultural, and historical aspects of this phenomenon.

Acts 19

Acts 19

What does Acts 19:20 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 19:20 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?