Devine Scripture

Acts 18:24

What does Acts 18:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 18:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 18:24 means

Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, arrives in Ephesus. He is eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures—gifted both in speech and biblical knowledge. Alexandria was a renowned center of learning, which helps explain his training. His coming signifies God’s provision of diverse servants for the church’s needs. The focus on Scripture shows where true power lies: not in rhetoric alone, but in God’s Word skillfully understood. Apollos brings fresh energy to Ephesus, yet the next verses will reveal that even the learned need further instruction. The Lord weaves together education, zeal, and teachability to advance the truth about Jesus with clarity and force.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, and a man of learning, came to Ephesus; and he had great knowledge of the holy Writings.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, a man of eloquence, being mighty in the Writings, came to Ephesus,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now a certain Jew, named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, one mighty in the scriptures.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, who was mighty in the scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

Context

As Paul travels through Galatia and Phrygia, Luke turns to Ephesus. Verse 24 introduces a new figure whose ministry will complement Paul’s work and affect Achaia. The stage is set for the discipling ministry of Priscilla and Aquila, who were left in Ephesus earlier. This interlude showcases how the church grows through multiple, interconnected workers rather than a single personality.

v.23And having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.

v.24This passage

v.25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:5

    What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him.

  • Acts 6:9

    But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue calledthe synagogueof the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

  • Ezra 7:12

    Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:12

    But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren: and it was not at all his will to come now; but he will come when he shall have opportunity.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:1

    And I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

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