Acts 18:4
What does Acts 18:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 18:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 18:4 means
Paul’s custom persists: each Sabbath he reasons in the synagogue, aiming to persuade both Jews and Greeks. He does not rely on emotion or novelty but engages minds and hearts with Scripture, showing how God’s promises find fulfillment. The inclusion of Greeks indicates the synagogue’s wider circle of God-fearers. This verse models patient, repeated witness—returning week after week to explain, answer, and invite. Persuasion honors people as thinking beings and treats the gospel as truth to be understood and embraced. Even before great results appear, Paul faithfully sows. The synagogue remains his first stop, seeking to show that the Messiah promised to Israel is Jesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And every Sabbath he had discussions in the Synagogue, turning Jews and Greeks to the faith.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he was reasoning in the synagogue every sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, bringing in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Context
With his living and working arrangements set, Paul continues his established mission pattern. Verse 4 precedes the arrival of Silas and Timothy, whose coming will mark a new intensity in Paul’s proclamation. Opposition will eventually arise, dividing hearers and redirecting Paul’s efforts. But here we see the steady groundwork—reasoning and persuading—upon which later conversions and conflicts will build. The flow moves from routine ministry toward a decisive moment when the message meets hardened resistance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
- Acts 18:13
saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
- Acts 13:14
But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
- Acts 17:1
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
- Acts 28:23
And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
- Luke 16:31
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.
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