Acts 18:25
What does Acts 18:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 18:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 18:25 means
Apollos had been taught in the way of the Lord and, with fervent spirit, taught accurately about Jesus, yet he knew only John’s baptism. He rightly grasped much about the Messiah and could teach what he knew, but his understanding was incomplete regarding Christian baptism and perhaps the full outpouring of the Spirit after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The picture is not of error but of limitation. His fervor and accuracy within his knowledge commend him; his gaps call for patient instruction. This verse honors zeal aligned with truth while preparing for the necessary refinement that will follow through the ministry of mature believers in Ephesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000This 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901This 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This man had been trained in the way of the Lord; and burning in spirit, he gave himself up to teaching the facts about Jesus, though he had knowledge only of John's baptism:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862this one was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in the Spirit, was speaking and teaching exactly the things about the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This man was instructed in the way of the Lord: and being fervent in spirit, spoke and taught diligently the things that are of Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in his spirit, he spoke and taught exactly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.
Context
Having presented Apollos’s strengths, Luke also notes the boundary of his instruction. Verse 25 sets up the need for further teaching. In the next verse, Priscilla and Aquila will privately explain the way of God more accurately, modeling humble, relational discipleship that corrects and equips without public embarrassment. This prepares Apollos for even greater usefulness in Achaia.
v.24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.
v.25This passage
v.26and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 1:28
whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;
- Mark 12:14
And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?
- Isaiah 40:3
The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.
- Luke 3:1
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
- 1 Samuel 12:23
Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
- Acts 16:17
The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.
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