Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Acts
Chapter 19: They Were Baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus
Acts 19 records the great work at Ephesus, and one of the clearest windows into the Apostolic new birth. Finding certain disciples, Paul asks, 'Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?' They had known only John's baptism, so Paul teaches them to believe on Christ Jesus, and '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.' For two years Paul teaches so that all Asia hears the word, God works 'special miracles' by his hands, the seven sons of Sceva are overcome by the evil spirit they tried to command, and the new believers burn their books of magic worth fifty thousand pieces of silver, 'So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.' Then the silversmith Demetrius, fearing for his idol trade, stirs a riot, and for two hours the theatre roars, 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians,' until the townclerk quiets the crowd. The chapter shows us baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, the fullness of the Spirit, the power of the name of Jesus over evil, and the gospel overthrowing idolatry and magic.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Acts chapter 19. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Here the Ephesian disciples are baptized in Jesus' name and filled with the Spirit, the word grows mightily over magic and idolatry, and a riot arises over Diana. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
Baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus
Rebaptized in Jesus' name, they receive the Holy Ghost.
So Mightily Grew the Word
Magic books burn; the name of Jesus is magnified.
Jesus I Know, but Who Are Ye?
The name of Jesus is no charm for the unbelieving.
Great Is Diana
Idol-makers rage as the gospel threatens their trade.
Have Ye Received the Holy Ghost Since Ye Believed? (Acts 19:1-7)
Paul leads twelve disciples who knew only John's baptism to be baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Spirit.
The Holy Ghost Came on Them; and They Spake With Tongues
"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."
Word Study
"in the name," Greek eis to onoma (εἰς τὸ ὄνομα). The phrase means "into the name," and describes the baptism these disciples now received: "they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Baptism "into the name of the Lord Jesus" means to be baptized calling upon and being joined to the name of Jesus, passing under His lordship and into union with Him. This is the consistent baptismal formula of the whole book of Acts, always in the singular name of the Lord Jesus, never a mere ritual recitation of titles. Note that these men had already been baptized "unto John's baptism," yet Paul had them baptized again, this time in the name of the Lord Jesus, for John's baptism, though from God, was preparatory and pointed forward to Christ. Only baptism in the name of Jesus belongs to the new covenant, and it is by that name that we are saved, "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Explanation
At Ephesus Paul finds twelve disciples and asks the searching question, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" -- and learns they knew only John's baptism. His response is decisive: he explains that John pointed to Jesus, and "they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus," and when Paul laid hands on them, "the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues." The passage is a cornerstone of Apostolic practice: John's baptism was insufficient, so they are rebaptized in Jesus' name, and then receive the Spirit with the evidence of tongues. Belief was not the end but the beginning; the full new birth includes baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Spirit.
Gospel Focus
At Ephesus Paul finds "certain disciples" and asks a searching question: "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" Their answer reveals the gap in their experience: "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost", that is, they had not heard of the Spirit's outpouring at Pentecost. Paul probes further: "Unto what then were ye baptized?" and learns they knew "only John's baptism." Like Apollos before Aquila and Priscilla taught him, these men had a real but incomplete faith, resting in John's preparatory ministry, not yet in the full gospel of the crucified, risen Christ and the gift of the Spirit. Paul explains that John's baptism was "the baptism of repentance" pointing forward to the One coming after him, "that is, on Christ Jesus." John pointed to Christ; now Christ had come, died, risen, and poured out His Spirit. And here is the decisive action: "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Though already baptized unto John, they were now baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, the only baptism of the new covenant, for John's baptism belonged to the old order of preparation. This is a plain scriptural warrant that baptism in the name of Jesus is essential and distinct; where it had not been received, Paul administered it. Then, "when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." They received the gift of the Holy Ghost, with the accompanying sign of tongues, just as at Pentecost and at Cornelius's house, the same Spirit, the same evidence. Here the full Apostolic pattern is displayed in one scene: they heard the gospel and believed on Christ Jesus, were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and received the Holy Ghost with the sign of tongues. This is the new birth as the book of Acts presents it, and these twelve Ephesian disciples are a clear example of it. What they lacked, a fuller faith in Christ, baptism in His name, and the gift of the Spirit, Paul led them into; and they entered fully into the salvation of the risen Lord.
So Mightily Grew the Word of God and Prevailed (Acts 19:8-20)
Paul teaches all Asia, God works special miracles, the sons of Sceva are overcome, and the sorcerers burn their books.
Jesus I Know, and Paul I Know; but Who Are Ye?
"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."
Word Study
"curious arts," Greek perierga (περίεργα). The word literally means things overdone or meddlesome, and was a common term for magic arts, sorcery, and occult practices. Ephesus was famous for magic, and "many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men," destroying spell-books worth "fifty thousand pieces of silver." True repentance made a clean and costly break with the works of darkness; they did not merely add Christ to their old practices but burned their magic, destroying valuable property rather than sell it to others. This is the fruit of genuine conversion: a decisive renunciation of every dark and sinful thing, whatever it costs. Where the name of Jesus is truly magnified, sorcery cannot stand; the gospel does not tolerate the occult but consumes it, and the burning books were a public testimony that the word of God had triumphed over the powers of darkness.
Explanation
Paul preaches boldly in Ephesus for over two years, so that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word," and God works "special miracles" by his hands. When Jewish exorcists try to use the name of Jesus as a formula -- "we adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth" -- the evil spirit overpowers them, for the name is not magic but belongs to those who know Him. Fear falls on the city, "and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified," and new converts publicly burn their costly books of sorcery. "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" -- the gospel triumphs over occult power and false imitation alike.
Gospel Focus
Paul preaches boldly in the synagogue for three months, "disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God." When some are "hardened" and "spake evil of that way," he withdraws the disciples to the school of Tyrannus and teaches daily for two years, "so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus." Ephesus became a great center from which the gospel spread throughout the province. God confirmed the word with "special miracles by the hands of Paul", extraordinary healings and deliverances, even through cloths that had touched him. Then Luke records a striking episode that exalts the name of Jesus. Certain Jewish exorcists, "the vagabond Jews," and the seven sons of Sceva try to use the name of Jesus as a magic formula, commanding evil spirits, "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." But the name of Jesus is not a charm to be wielded by unbelievers; it has power only in the mouth of those who truly belong to Him. The evil spirit answers with chilling scorn: "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" The demons know and fear the real Jesus and His true servant Paul, but they recognize no authority in these pretenders, and the possessed man leaps on them and drives them out "naked and wounded." The lesson is sobering: the name of Jesus is mighty, but it is not magic; it avails only for those who are His. This event spreads fear and honour throughout Ephesus, "and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." The result is a great work of repentance: believers "confessed, and shewed their deeds," and the sorcerers publicly burned their costly books of magic. Genuine conversion made a clean and expensive break with the occult. And Luke sums it up: "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." The word of God overcame the deep-rooted magic and idolatry of Ephesus, not by human power but by the exalted name of the Lord Jesus, before whom the powers of darkness must flee and their works go up in flames. Where Christ is truly magnified, sorcery, superstition, and every dark art are renounced and destroyed, and the word of God prevails.
They Be No Gods, Which Are Made With Hands (Acts 19:21-41)
The gospel's threat to the idol trade provokes a riot, until the townclerk quiets the raging crowd.
Great Is Diana of the Ephesians
"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 enquire 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."
Word Study
"made with hands," Greek cheiropoietos (χειροποίητος). The word means made by human hands, hand-crafted. The whole conflict turns on Paul's gospel that "they be no gods, which are made with hands." An idol crafted by a silversmith is no god; the living God cannot be made by human hands, as Paul declared at Athens, "the Godhead is not like unto gold, or silver, or stone." The same word is used of the temple "made with hands" that could not contain the God who fills heaven and earth. Diana's silver shrines, however costly and beautiful, were dead works of human craft, powerless and false. The gospel exposes every hand-made god as an empty vanity and calls men to the living God who made all things. It is this exposure of idolatry, not any attack on the city, that threatened the idol trade and stirred the riot; the truth that hand-made gods are no gods overturns the whole business of idolatry.
Explanation
The gospel's success threatens the silversmiths who profit from idols of Diana, and Demetrius rouses a riot: "our craft is in danger." The economic threat is dressed as religious zeal, and the theatre fills with a confused mob chanting "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" for two hours. The town clerk finally quiets them, noting there is no real charge. Again the pattern appears -- the gospel that delivers souls also disrupts the industries of idolatry, and its enemies mask greed as devotion. Yet the uproar cannot stop the word; even a citywide riot only advertises how deeply the gospel has penetrated Ephesus.
Gospel Focus
Paul now sets his heart on further travels, purposing to visit Jerusalem and then Rome, "I must also see Rome", a purpose God would fulfill, though not as Paul expected. Meanwhile "no small stir" arises at Ephesus over "that way." The trouble comes not from theology but from money. Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of the goddess Diana, gathers his fellow craftsmen and exposes the real issue: "Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth." Paul's preaching that "they be no gods, which are made with hands" was turning people from idolatry throughout Asia, and the idol-makers' profits were threatened. Demetrius cloaks his greed in religious zeal for Diana, "whom all Asia and the world worshippeth," and the craftsmen erupt, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." The whole city is thrown into confusion; a mob seizes Paul's companions Gaius and Aristarchus and rushes into the theatre. Paul, courageous as ever, wants to go in and address the crowd, but the disciples and even friendly officials restrain him for his safety. The scene is chaotic: "Some therefore cried one thing, and some another... and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together", a vivid picture of mob irrationality, most of them shouting without even knowing why. When a Jew named Alexander tries to speak, the recognition that he is a Jew (and so opposed to idols) only inflames them, and for two solid hours they chant, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." At last the townclerk, the city's leading official, quiets the crowd with shrewd appeals to civic pride, legal order, and self-interest. He argues that Diana's fame is secure and needs no mob to defend it, that the Christians are "neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess," that Demetrius has legal recourse if he has a grievance, and that the city itself is in danger of Roman reprisal for "this day's uproar." Then he dismisses the assembly. God used even a pagan official to protect His servants and calm the storm, just as He had used Gallio at Corinth. The riot shows the gospel's power to threaten the whole system of idolatry and the vested interests that profit from it; the truth that hand-made gods are no gods struck at the root of a lucrative trade and a proud religion. Yet through the fury, God preserved His people and His work. The word of God had prevailed at Ephesus, and no raging mob for Diana could stop it.
Chapter 19 in Review
Acts 19 is the great Ephesian chapter. Paul finds twelve disciples who knew only John's baptism, teaches them to believe on Christ Jesus, and "they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus," and when he laid hands on them, "the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." For two years Paul teaches so that all Asia hears the word; God works special miracles; the seven sons of Sceva are overcome for using the name of Jesus as a charm, "Jesus I know... but who are ye?"; and the sorcerers burn their magic books, "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." Then the silversmith Demetrius, fearing for his idol trade, incites a riot, and for two hours the theatre roars, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians," until the townclerk quiets the crowd.
For the Apostolic reader this chapter is a clear display of the new birth and the power of the name of Jesus. The Ephesian disciples show the full pattern: hearing the gospel and believing on Christ Jesus, being baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, the only baptism of the new covenant, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost with the sign of tongues, just as at Pentecost and Cornelius's house. That these men, already baptized unto John, were baptized again in Jesus' name is a plain warrant that baptism in His name is essential and belongs to the gospel. The chapter also exalts the name of Jesus over every dark power: real demons flee before it, but it is no magic charm for unbelievers, as Sceva's sons learned to their shame; and where Christ is magnified, sorcery and the occult are renounced and burned, whatever the cost. And the gospel overthrows idolatry itself, for "they be no gods, which are made with hands"; this truth struck at the root of Ephesus's proud religion and lucrative idol trade, and though it stirred a furious riot, God preserved His people, using even a pagan official to protect them, and His word prevailed. So enter fully into the salvation of the risen Lord, believing, baptized in His name, and filled with His Spirit; magnify the name of Jesus, which no darkness can withstand; renounce every work of darkness; and take courage that the word of God grows and prevails against every idol and every mob.
- The Ephesian disciples were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (19:5).
- They received the Holy Ghost with the sign of tongues, the Apostolic pattern (19:6).
- The name of Jesus is mighty but not a magic charm for unbelievers (19:13-16).
- True conversion renounces and destroys the works of darkness (19:19).
- "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" (19:20).
- Idols "made with hands" are no gods; the gospel overthrows idolatry (19:26).
Questions for Reflection
- Have you entered the full pattern: believed, baptized in Jesus' name, filled with the Spirit?
- Do you honour the name of Jesus as the living Lord, not treat it as a formula?
- Have you made a clean break with every work of darkness, whatever the cost?
- Do you trust that God's word prevails against every idol and opposition?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. Baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus: Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 22:16. The gift of the Holy Ghost with tongues: Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46. John's preparatory baptism pointing to Christ: Matthew 3:11; John 1:29-34; Acts 13:24-25. The name of Jesus and the powers of darkness: Luke 10:17; Philippians 2:9-11; James 2:19. Renouncing the works of darkness: Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 1:9. Idols made with hands are no gods: Isaiah 44:9-20; Psalm 115:4-8; Acts 17:29. God protecting His servants: Acts 18:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:17-18. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- The disciples at Ephesus: Acts 19:1-7; Acts 2:38; 8:16.
- The word prevails over magic: Acts 19:8-20; Luke 10:17; Ephesians 5:11.
- The riot over Diana: Acts 19:21-41; Isaiah 44:9-20; Acts 17:29.