Acts 19:9
What does Acts 19:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:9 means
When some harden themselves and slander the Way, Paul withdraws the disciples and reasons daily in the school of Tyrannus. Separation here is not sectarian pride but pastoral protection and wise stewardship of opportunity. The Way—an early name for the Christian faith—faces public defamation, so Paul moves to a setting where serious learners can hear without constant disruption. Daily instruction indicates disciplined, sustained teaching that forms believers and persuades seekers. The school setting fits Ephesus’s intellectual climate and redeems a secular space for gospel truth. Hard hearts do not halt the mission; they redirect it to where the word can run freely and build durable foundations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But because some of the people were hard-hearted and would not give hearing, saying evil words about the Way before the people, he went away from them, and kept the disciples separate, reasoning every day in the school of Tyrannus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and when certain were hardened and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, having departed from them, he did separate the disciples, every day reasoning in the school of a certain Tyrannus.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But when some were hardened and believed not, speaking evil of the way of the Lord before the multitude, departing from them, he separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But when some were hardened and disbelieved, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, he left them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
Context
After three months in the synagogue, growing opposition forces a change, and Paul gathers the disciples into a new venue. This shift inaugurates an intensive season of ministry that will last years and touch the entire province of Asia. The next verse will highlight the far-reaching effect of this daily teaching pattern, preparing the way for God’s extraordinary miracles that confirm the message in a city rife with spiritual pretensions.
v.8And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.
v.9This passage
v.10And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 22:4
and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
- Luke 12:51
Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
- Jeremiah 19:15
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all its towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it; because they have made their neck stiff, that they may not hear my words.
- Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.
- 2 Chronicles 36:16
but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
- Acts 19:30
And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
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