Paul's Ministry and the Ephesian Disciples
Acts 19:1-22
Acts.19.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Απολλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- Κορινθω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- διελθοντα: VERB,aor,act,ptc,acc,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ανωτερικα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- μερη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ελθειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- Εφεσον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ευρειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τινας: PRON,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 18:24 (verbal): Mentions Apollos being in Corinth, the same detail given as background in Acts 19:1 (connects persons and locations).
- Acts 18:19-21 (structural): Records an earlier visit of Paul to Ephesus—helps situate the chronology and shows Paul’s prior contact with the city before the events of Acts 19.
- Acts 18:25-26 (allusion): Describes Apollos’ ministry and how Priscilla and Aquila instructed him—background relevant to the statement that Apollos was in Corinth when Paul arrived at Ephesus.
- Acts 19:2 (structural): Immediate continuation of the scene in Acts 19:1; introduces the specific characterization of the ‘disciples’ Paul found in Ephesus and begins the ensuing baptism/Holy Spirit episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland districts and came to Ephesus; there he found some disciples.
- While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus; there he found some disciples.
Acts.19.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τε: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- αυτους·Ει: PRON,acc,pl,m
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- ελαβετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- πιστευσαντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- αυτον·Αλλ᾽ουδ᾽ει: PRON,acc,sg,m
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ηκουσαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Acts 8:14-17 (structural): Samaritan believers had believed but had not yet received the Holy Spirit until the apostles laid hands on them—parallel pattern to Paul encountering believers who had not received the Spirit.
- Acts 2:1-4 (thematic): The first outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the paradigmatic instance of believers’ receiving the Spirit, providing the broader theological background for Acts 19’s question about receiving the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 18:25-26 (verbal): Apollos is described as having been instructed only in the baptism of John—parallels Acts 19:2’s identification of certain disciples as having only known John’s baptism.
- John 1:33 (allusion): John the Baptist’s testimony about seeing the Spirit descend and remain on Jesus connects to the Johannine/Christian understanding of Spirit-bestowal tied to messianic recognition and baptismal practice, which lies behind the question in Acts 19:2.
- Ephesians 1:13 (thematic): Pauline teaching that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit when they believe addresses the relationship between faith and reception of the Spirit implicit in Acts 19:2’s question 'When you believed, did you receive the Holy Spirit?'
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' They replied, 'No—we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.'
- He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No—we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
Acts.19.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τε·Εις: PREP
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ουν: CONJ
- εβαπτισθητε: VERB,aor,pas,ind,2,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπαν·Εις: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- Ιωαννου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- βαπτισμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 18:25-26 (verbal): Describes Apollos as knowing only the baptism of John — a near verbal and situational parallel: persons with Christian commitment but limited to John's baptism.
- Matthew 3:1-6 (thematic): Background description of John’s ministry: preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan — provides the context and meaning of 'John's baptism.'
- Matthew 3:11 (thematic): John contrasts his water baptism with the coming baptism by the one after him (Holy Spirit/Jesus) — the theological distinction that Paul will press upon those baptized only by John.
- Acts 19:4-5 (structural): Immediate continuation of Acts 19:3: Paul explains that John’s baptism pointed to Jesus, and the disciples are then baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus — the direct narrative resolution of their having 'been baptized into John's baptism.'
Alternative generated candidates
- He asked, 'Into what then were you baptized?' They answered, 'Into John's baptism.'
- He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They replied, “Into John's baptism.”
Acts.19.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- Παυλος·Ιωαννης: PROPN,nom,sg,m
- εβαπτισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- βαπτισμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μετανοιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λαω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- λεγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ερχομενον: VERB,pres,mid,part,acc,sg,m
- μετ᾽αυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- πιστευσωσιν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- τουτ᾽εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 3:11-12 (verbal): John's baptism of repentance and his proclamation about one coming after him who will baptize with the Holy Spirit (and judge) closely parallels Paul's summary that John pointed to the one coming (Jesus).
- Mark 1:4-8 (verbal): Mark records John's baptism of repentance and his testimony that someone more powerful is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit—same tradition Paul cites in identifying Jesus as the one after John.
- Luke 3:16 (verbal): Luke preserves John's words that he baptizes with water but one is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire; Acts 19:4 reflects this Johannine proclamation about the one to come (Jesus).
- John 1:29-34 (thematic): John the Baptist's testimony that he saw and identified Jesus as the Lamb of God and the one on whom the Spirit descended parallels Acts' emphasis that John's baptism pointed people to Jesus.
- Acts 1:5 (quotation): Jesus' promise that the disciples would be baptized with the Holy Spirit, contrasted with John's water baptism, echoes the same distinction Paul draws when recounting John's call to believe in the coming one (Jesus).
Alternative generated candidates
- Paul said, 'John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was coming after him—namely, Jesus.'
- Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come—namely, the Christ, Jesus.”
Acts.19.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ακουσαντες: PTCP,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- εβαπτισθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 8:16 (verbal): Uses the same phrase that believers were “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”; context highlights baptism distinct from reception of the Spirit, paralleling the Ephesus incident.
- Acts 10:47-48 (verbal): Peter commands baptism “in the name of the Lord” after Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit—links baptism in Jesus’ name with reception of the Spirit, similar to Acts 19.
- Acts 2:38 (verbal): Peter’s call to ‘repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ’ ties baptism to forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit, thematically paralleling Paul’s act at Ephesus.
- Romans 6:3 (thematic): Paul’s teaching that believers are ‘baptized into Christ Jesus’ emphasizes identification with Christ (death and new life), a theological underpinning of baptism evident in Acts 19:5.
- Matthew 28:19 (structural): The Great Commission’s Trinitarian baptismal formula contrasts with the Acts texts’ explicit ‘in the name of Jesus,’ indicating early diversity/ development in baptismal expression.
Alternative generated candidates
- On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
- When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts.19.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επιθεντος: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,sg,m
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ηλθε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- επ᾽αυτους: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- ελαλουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τε: CONJ
- γλωσσαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- επροφητευον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 2:4 (verbal): At Pentecost the disciples 'were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues,' directly paralleling Acts 19:6's report that the Holy Spirit came on them and they 'spoke with tongues.'
- Acts 10:44-46 (verbal): When the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius' household they 'began speaking in tongues and extolling God,' a near verbal and situational parallel to the Spirit's coming and utterance of tongues in Ephesus.
- Acts 8:14-17 (structural): Peter and John lay hands on Samaritans so they might receive the Holy Spirit—structurally similar to Paul laying hands on the Ephesian believers in 19:6 to effect the Spirit's coming.
- Acts 9:17 (structural): Ananias lays hands on Saul so that he might receive the Holy Spirit; like Acts 19:6 this links the apostolic laying on of hands with receiving the Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 (thematic): Paul lists Spirit-given manifestations including 'varieties of tongues' and 'prophecy,' thematically connecting the Ephesian experience (tongues and prophecy) to the catalogue of charisms in 1 Cor 12.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
- When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Acts.19.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ανδρες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ωσει: ADV
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 6:13-16 (thematic): Lists the appointment of the Twelve—establishes the motif of a distinct group of 'twelve men,' which Acts 19:7 echoes in describing the small, twelve‑member group of disciples.
- Matthew 10:2-4 (structural): Gives the names of the twelve apostles; thematically parallels Acts 19:7's reference to the number twelve as a recognized, significant grouping of male disciples.
- Acts 1:26 (allusion): Matthias is chosen to restore the Twelve, showing the importance of the twelve‑man group in early church structure—Acts 19:7’s 'about twelve men' recalls this established Johannine/early‑apostolic pattern.
- 1 Corinthians 15:5 (thematic): Paul refers to appearances 'to Cephas, then to the Twelve,' demonstrating the Twelve as a canonical witness group; Acts 19:7’s count of twelve men evokes the same tradition of a defined twelvefold circle of disciples.
Alternative generated candidates
- There were about twelve men in all.
- There were about twelve men in all.
Acts.19.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Εισελθων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συναγωγην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επαρρησιαζετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- μηνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τρεις: NUM,acc,pl,f
- διαλεγομενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,m,sg
- και: CONJ
- πειθων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- περι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- βασιλειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 17:2–3 (thematic): Paul enters the synagogue, reasons from the Scriptures and explains/argues about Christ — closely parallels his synagogue-based proclamation and persuasion in Ephesus.
- Acts 18:4 (verbal): Phraseology mirrors Acts 19:8: Paul 'reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, persuading Jews and Greeks' — similar ministry pattern of public synagogue argumentation.
- Acts 19:9 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: after opposition in the synagogue Paul leaves and teaches in the hall of Tyrannus — shows the subsequent shift in venue and method of teaching.
- Acts 28:31 (thematic): Summary of Paul's Roman ministry: he 'proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness,' echoing the same central content as in Acts 19:8.
- Mark 1:14–15 (thematic): Jesus' core proclamation that 'the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe' provides the foundational content and impetus for later apostolic preaching about the kingdom referenced in Acts 19:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the kingdom of God.
- Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, arguing and persuading about the kingdom of God.
Acts.19.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ως: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- εσκληρυνοντο: VERB,impf,mp,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ηπειθουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- κακολογουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πληθους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αποστας: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- απ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- αφωρισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- καθ᾽ημεραν: ADV
- διαλεγομενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- σχολη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- Τυραννου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 19:8 (structural): Immediate context: Paul had been reasoning in the synagogue for three months before some hardened themselves, which directly leads to his withdrawing and separating the disciples (the verse immediately preceding v.9).
- Acts 18:4 (verbal): Paul 'reasoned' in the synagogue 'every Sabbath' (daily/regular public argumentation); parallels the pattern of public teaching that moves locations when opposition arises (similar language of regular speaking/arguing).
- Acts 18:6 (thematic): When some opposed and blasphemed in Corinth Paul shook out his garments and turned to the Gentiles—parallels the reaction to opposition and the decision to leave a hostile audience and continue ministry elsewhere.
- Acts 9:2 (verbal): Uses the same technical term 'the Way' (τὴν ὁδόν) for the Christian movement; connects language of opposition to followers of 'the Way' in earlier persecutions.
- Acts 20:20 (thematic): Paul's pattern of teaching both publicly and 'from house to house' echoes the adaptive teaching methods (public synagogue/space to more private venues like the school of Tyrannus) employed when opposition constrained public proclamation.
Alternative generated candidates
- But some became stubborn and refused to believe, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation; so he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, arguing daily in the school of Tyrannus.
- But some became stubborn and would not believe; they spoke malignantly of the Way before the crowd, so he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, holding daily discussion in the school of Tyrannus.
Acts.19.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- ετη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- ωστε: CONJ
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κατοικουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Ασιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ακουσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιουδαιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ελληνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 28:30-31 (structural): Reports Paul spending two whole years in one place while boldly proclaiming and teaching about the Lord—parallel temporal frame and sustained proclamation activity.
- Acts 18:11 (verbal): Says Paul stayed a year and six months and 'taught the word of God'—similar wording and emphasis on a prolonged ministry in a single region.
- Acts 13:49 (verbal): 'The word of the Lord spread through the whole region'—verbal/thematic parallel about the rapid regional spread of the gospel.
- Romans 1:16 (thematic): Proclaims the gospel is for 'the Jew first and also for the Greek'—thematically parallels Acts 19:10's note that both Jews and Greeks heard the word.
- Acts 19:20 (verbal): States 'so the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail'—an immediate thematic/verbal continuation of the impact described in 19:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- This continued for two years, so that all who lived in Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
- This continued for two years, so that all who lived in the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
Acts.19.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Δυναμεις: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- τε: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- τυχουσας: PART,pres,act,acc,pl,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εποιει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δια: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- χειρων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 5:12 (verbal): Same language and idea: many signs and wonders were done by the hands of the apostles—miracles performed through the apostles' hands, paralleling God working through Paul's hands.
- Acts 8:6-7 (thematic): Philip's ministry produced visible signs and great miracles that brought amazement and conversion, echoing the theme of God validating gospel ministry by extraordinary works.
- Acts 14:3 (thematic): God confirmed the apostles' message with signs and wonders—a broader pattern in Acts of divine miracles accompanying apostolic preaching, as in Acts 19:11.
- Romans 15:19 (verbal): Paul speaks of having preached 'by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God,' closely paralleling the description of extraordinary miracles attending his ministry.
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 (thematic): Paul appeals to the 'signs of a true apostle'—signs, wonders and mighty works—as evidence of his apostolic ministry, reflecting the same role of miracles in Acts 19:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,
- God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,
Acts.19.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ασθενουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- αποφερεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- χρωτος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- σουδαρια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σιμικινθια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- απαλλασσεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- απ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- νοσους: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- τε: CONJ
- πνευματα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- πονηρα: ADJ,nom,pl,neut
- εκπορευεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
Parallels
- Acts 5:15-16 (thematic): Like Acts 19:12, this passage describes people bringing the sick so that something associated with an apostle (here Peter's shadow/presence) results in healings and deliverance from unclean spirits.
- Mark 5:25-34 (thematic): A woman is healed by touching Jesus' garment; parallels the motif in Acts 19:12 of healing occurring through contact with an item connected to a holy person.
- Matthew 14:36 (verbal): People beg only to touch the fringe of Jesus' cloak and are healed—language and idea closely parallel Acts 19:12's account of cloths from Paul's body bringing cures.
- 2 Kings 13:21 (allusion): An Old Testament instance where contact with a prophet's remains causes life/healing (a man revived after touching Elisha's bones), providing a precedent for miraculous effect through contact with prophetic objects.
Alternative generated candidates
- so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out.
- so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.
Acts.19.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- επεχειρησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- περιερχομενων: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ptc,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εξορκιστων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ονομαζειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- επι: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εχοντας: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- πνευματα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- πονηρα: ADJ,nom,pl,neut
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- λεγοντες·Ορκιζω: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κηρυσσει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 19:14-16 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation (the seven sons of Sceva) showing the same practice and its consequences—demons recognize Jesus and Paul, and the exorcists are defeated for invoking the name without authority or faith.
- Acts 16:16-18 (verbal): Paul commands a spirit to come out 'in the name of Jesus Christ,' paralleling the explicit use of Jesus' name as the power/formula for exorcism.
- Mark 9:38-39 (thematic): Jesus’ reaction to someone casting out demons in his name—addresses outsiders using Jesus' name for exorcism and the question whether such acts should be forbidden.
- Matthew 7:22 (thematic): Jesus warns that people may prophesy and cast out demons in his name yet not be true disciples; parallels the problem of invoking Jesus' name apart from genuine faith and relationship.
- Acts 8:9-24 (thematic): Simon Magus's attempt to obtain apostolic power (simony) and the improper appropriation of spiritual authority echoes the misuse of spiritual power and the name of Jesus by those outside apostolic commissioning.
Alternative generated candidates
- But some itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, 'I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul proclaims.'
- Some itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
Acts.19.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- Σκευα: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιουδαιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αρχιερεως: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- υιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ποιουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 19:13 (verbal): Immediate context: identifies itinerant Jewish exorcists who invoked Jesus' name—the background for the seven sons of Sceva mentioned in v.14.
- Acts 19:15 (verbal): Direct continuation: reports the demonic reply ('Jesus I know, and Paul I know') and the violent outcome when the sons of Sceva attempted an exorcism.
- Mark 9:38-40 (thematic): Someone was casting out demons in Jesus' name and the disciples debated stopping him—raises the same issue of authority and the use of Jesus' name for exorcism.
- Acts 8:9-13 (thematic): Simon the magician practiced occult arts and was impressed by apostolic signs; parallels the clash between itinerant magic/exorcism and authentic apostolic power in Acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- There were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who practiced this.
- There were seven sons of a Jewish chief priest named Sceva who did this.
Acts.19.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- αποκριθεν: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πονηρον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Τον: PRON,dat,pl,3
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- γινωσκω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επισταμαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Mark 1:24 (verbal): An unclean spirit addresses Jesus by name and confesses knowledge of his identity (“I know who you are—Holy One of God”), paralleling the demon’s recognition of Jesus in Acts 19:15.
- Mark 5:7 (verbal): The demon‑possessed man (Legion) directly addresses Jesus as ‘Son of the Most High God,’ a similar outspoken recognition of Jesus’ identity by an evil spirit.
- Acts 19:13-16 (structural): Immediate narrative context: itinerant Jewish exorcists invoke Jesus’ name over afflicted persons and are overpowered by a spirit that declares knowledge of Jesus and Paul (v.15), producing the dramatic outcome in v.16.
- Luke 4:41 (thematic): Demons cry out, acknowledging Jesus’ identity and authority and then obey; thematically matches Acts 19:15’s motif of spirits recognizing and reacting to Jesus’ name.
Alternative generated candidates
- The evil spirit answered, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?'
- The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”
Acts.19.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εφαλομενος: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επ᾽αυτους: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πονηρον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- κατακυριευσας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- αμφοτερων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ισχυσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- κατ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- ωστε: CONJ
- γυμνους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τετραυματισμενους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- εκφυγειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- οικου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκεινου: DEM,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 19:13-15 (structural): Immediate context: describes the seven sons of Sceva attempting to invoke Jesus' name and being confronted by the possessed man before v.16 records the violent outcome.
- Mark 5:1-20 (cf. Luke 8:26-39) (thematic): Demoniac (Legion) displays violent, uncontrollable behavior and speaks through/acts upon the afflicted person; both accounts show demons reacting forcefully when confronted by a higher spiritual authority.
- Luke 10:17-20 (thematic): The seventy return rejoicing that demons submit in Jesus' name — contrasts authorized, faith-filled use of Jesus' name (demons flee) with the failed/unsafe invocation by the sons of Sceva that results in harm.
- Mark 1:23-27 (cf. Luke 4:33-36) (thematic): An unclean spirit recognizes Jesus' authority, speaks, and is cast out by Jesus' word — parallels the theme of spiritual authority over demons and the differing outcomes when that authority is rightly exercised or misused.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the man in whom the evil spirit was leapt on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
- The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Acts.19.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- γνωστον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ελλησιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- κατοικουσιν: PART,pres,act,dat,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Εφεσον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- επεπεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- φοβος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εμεγαλυνετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 2:9-11 (thematic): Speaks of God exalting Jesus' name so that every knee will bow—parallels Acts 19:17’s emphasis on the rising honor and power of the name of the Lord Jesus.
- Luke 5:26 (verbal): After a miraculous act the crowd is seized with fear and glorifies God—language and reaction (fear/fearful amazement and praise) closely parallel Acts 19:17; Luke and Acts share authorial language.
- Acts 4:12 (thematic): Affirms there is salvation in no one else but Jesus—helps explain why the name of Jesus provokes fear and is magnified when its power is demonstrated in Acts 19.
- Acts 9:21 (thematic): Those who hear about Paul’s conversion are astonished and recall his former persecution 'of those who call on this name'—shows how knowledge of the name Jesus provokes strong communal reactions and notoriety, similar to the fame described in Acts 19:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
- This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear fell on them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was honored.
Acts.19.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τε: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πεπιστευκοτων: PART,gen,pl,m
- ηρχοντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- εξομολογουμενοι: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- αναγγελλοντες: PART,nom,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- πραξεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 3:6 (verbal): People came to John "confessing their sins" (ὁμολογοῦντες τὰς ἁμαρτίας), using the same verb and public-confession motif as Acts 19:18.
- James 5:16 (verbal): Commands believers to "confess your sins to one another" (ὁμολογεῖτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας), reflecting the communal, verbal confession practiced in Acts 19:18.
- 1 John 1:9 (thematic): Links confession with forgiveness and cleansing ('If we confess our sins... he will forgive us'), resonating with Acts 19:18’s theme of admitting wrongdoing as part of repentance.
- Acts 2:38 (thematic): Peter’s call to repent and be baptized (τὸ μετανόητε καὶ βαπτισθήτω) connects to Acts 19:18’s broader context of repentance and public declaration among new believers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Many of those who believed came, publicly confessing and declaring their practices.
- Many of those who believed came and openly confessed and disclosed their practices.
Acts.19.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ικανοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- περιεργα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- πραξαντων: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,pl,m
- συνενεγκαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- βιβλους: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- κατεκαιον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ενωπιον: PREP
- παντων·και: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- συνεψηφισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- τιμας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αργυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- μυριαδας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- πεντε: NUM,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 19:18 (structural): Immediate context: many who believed openly confessed and practiced, preparing the background for the public burning of their magical books in v.19.
- Acts 19:13-16 (thematic): Accounts of the sons of Sceva trying to invoke Jesus' name against demons show the confrontation between Christian power and pagan/occult practices that culminates in the burning of magic books.
- Acts 8:9-13 (thematic): Simon the sorcerer is converted (and later offers money for spiritual power), paralleling the theme of former practitioners of magic encountering the gospel and changing allegiance.
- Revelation 18:11-13 (thematic): The merchants of the fallen city are said to trade in 'sorceries' (pharmakeia), linking magic to commerce—echoing Acts 19's mention of the monetary value of the burned books.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (thematic): Paul lists 'sorcerers' among those washed and transformed in Christ, paralleling Acts 19's motif of converts renouncing occult practices and being publicly cleansed.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them before all; and they reckoned the value of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
- A number who had practiced magic arts brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly; when they calculated the value of the books it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Acts.19.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτως: ADV
- κατα: PREP
- κρατος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ηυξανεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ισχυεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 12:24 (verbal): Uses almost the same idea/wording about 'the word of God/the Lord' increasing and prevailing — a near verbal parallel about the gospel's growth and power.
- Acts 6:7 (verbal): Speaks of the word of God spreading and the number of disciples multiplying in Jerusalem — parallels Acts 19:20's emphasis on the spread and increase of the word.
- Colossians 1:6 (verbal): Describes the gospel as 'bearing fruit and increasing' throughout the world (αὐξανόμενον) — echoes the language of the word's growth in Acts 19:20.
- Romans 1:16 (thematic): Calls the gospel 'the power of God' for salvation — thematically parallels Acts 19:20's focus on the word's power and prevailing strength.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (thematic): Notes that the report of the Lord's message has spread widely from the believers' region — a thematic parallel about the far‑reaching spread of the Lord's word.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.
- So the word of the Lord continued to grow and prevail mightily.
Acts.19.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ως: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- επληρωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- εθετο: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- διελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Μακεδονιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Αχαιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πορευεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ειπων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- Μετα: PREP,acc
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- γενεσθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- εκει: ADV
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- Ρωμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ιδειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Acts 20:22-24 (thematic): Paul again describes being compelled/bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem despite dangers—echoes Acts 19:21's Spirit-led resolution to travel via Macedonia and Achaia to Jerusalem and then to Rome.
- Acts 23:11 (verbal): The Lord appears to Paul and tells him explicitly that he must also testify in Rome—directly parallels Paul’s statement in Acts 19:21 that after Jerusalem he must also see Rome.
- Romans 15:22-24 (thematic): Paul outlines his travel plans and desire to visit Rome after ministering in other regions (and ultimately to go on to Spain). This matches the itinerary and intention expressed in Acts 19:21.
- Acts 28:16 (structural): Fulfillment of the declared intention: Paul arrives in Rome and is permitted to live by himself under guard, completing the journey anticipated in Acts 19:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- When these things were ended, Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and to go to Jerusalem; and he said, 'After I have been there, I must also see Rome.'
- After these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and then go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there I must also see Rome.”
Acts.19.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- αποστειλας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Μακεδονιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- διακονουντων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,pl,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Τιμοθεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Εραστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- επεσχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- χρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Ασιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 20:4 (verbal): Lists Timothy among Paul's traveling companions (alongside other named aides), paralleling Acts 19:22's mention of Timothy being sent/active with Paul.
- Romans 16:23 (verbal): Mentions Erastus again (the same name as in Acts 19:22), confirming Erastus as a known associate of Paul and linking the individuals named in Acts 19:22 to later New Testament references.
- Philippians 2:19-23 (thematic): Paul describes his intention to send Timothy as a trusted envoy to the Philippians, echoing Acts 19:22's portrayal of Timothy as a delegate/associate sent on Paul's behalf.
- 1 Corinthians 16:10-11 (thematic): Paul instructs the Corinthian church about receiving Timothy and his work for the Lord, reflecting the same itinerant, representative role for Timothy implied in Acts 19:22.
- Colossians 4:7-9 (thematic): Describes Paul sending Tychicus and Onesimus as faithful ministers and messengers to inform and help churches, paralleling the practice in Acts 19:22 of Paul dispatching trusted coworkers like Timothy and Erastus.
Alternative generated candidates
- He sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him—Timothy and Erastus—while he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
- He sent two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, while he himself stayed on in Asia for a time.
It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland districts and came to Ephesus; and there he found some disciples.
He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They replied, “No—we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John's baptism.”
Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the One who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak in tongues and to prophesy.
There were about twelve men in all.
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and spoke evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
This continued for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. But some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Now there were seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva who did this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom the evil spirit was leapt upon them, overcame them, and prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was highly honored.
Many also of those who believed came, confessing and making public their deeds. And a number of those who practiced magic brought their books and burned them before all; and they counted up the value of them and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to grow and prevail mightily. Now after these things were ended, Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have gone there, I must also see Rome.” And so he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a while.