Acts 19:4
What does Acts 19:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:4 means
Paul honors John’s ministry while clarifying its aim: John baptized with a baptism of repentance, directing people to believe in the One coming after him—Jesus. Repentance prepared hearts; faith in Jesus completes the turn to God. The Messiah John heralded has come, and the time of fulfillment is here. This verse shows apostolic preaching drawing straight lines from Old Covenant expectation to New Covenant realization in Christ. It guards against treating repentance as an end in itself. To believe rightly is to believe on Jesus, the promised One, whose death and resurrection secure forgiveness and the gift of the Spirit for all who trust Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Paul said, John gave a baptism which goes with a change of heart, saying to the people that they were to have faith in him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Paul said, `John, indeed, did baptize with a baptism of reformation, saying to the people that in him who is coming after him they should believe--that is, in the Christ--Jesus;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Paul said: John baptized the people with the baptism of penance saying: That they should believe in him, who was to come after him, that is to say, in Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Paul said, John indeed baptised [with] the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on him that was coming after him, that is, on Jesus.
Context
This statement answers the disciples’ incomplete understanding revealed in verses 2–3. It shifts the focus from John’s preparatory work to Jesus’ saving work. The next verses record their response: baptism into the name of the Lord Jesus, followed by the Spirit’s manifest coming with tongues and prophecy. This sequence underscores that the true goal of John’s ministry—and of all Scripture—is faith in Christ and participation in the Spirit’s power.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 11:16
And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 13:23
Of this man’s seed hath God according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus;
- John 1:29
On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
- Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
- John 1:15
John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me.
- Acts 1:5
for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
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