Acts 18:19
What does Acts 18:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 18:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 18:19 means
Arriving at Ephesus, Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila there but himself goes into the synagogue to reason with the Jews. He continues his pattern: engage first with those who know the Scriptures. This brief ministry plants seeds in a city that will later become a major center for the gospel. Leaving trusted coworkers behind shows Paul’s strategic mindset; the work does not depend on one person. The synagogue reasoning displays his ongoing burden for Israel’s salvation and his confidence that Scripture points to Jesus. Even a short stop can be weighty when the Lord is preparing a harvest.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they came down to Ephesus and he left them there: and he himself went into the Synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he came down to Ephesus, and did leave them there, and he himself having entered into the synagogue did reason with the Jews:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he came to Ephesus and left them there. But he himself, entering into the synagogue, disputed with the Jews.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and he arrived at Ephesus, and left them there. But entering himself into the synagogue he reasoned with the Jews.
Context
Transitioning from Corinth to Asia Minor, the narrative pauses in Ephesus. Verse 19 introduces Paul’s synagogue engagement and his decision to leave Priscilla and Aquila behind, laying groundwork for future ministry there. The next verses will show the synagogue’s openness and Paul’s constrained departure, with a promise to return. Later in the chapter, Apollos will arrive in Ephesus and be further instructed by this very couple.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 19:17
And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
- 1 Corinthians 15:32
If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.
- 1 Corinthians 16:8
But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost;
- Acts 17:2
and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures,
- Revelation 1:11
saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
- Acts 18:21
but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.
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