Bible Strands
Acts 1:5
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the gathered disciples in Jerusalem immediately after commanding them to wait for the Father’s promise and before they inquire about restoring Israel’s political kingdom.
The words — ἐβάπτισεν (ebaptisen) = baptized; ὕδατι (hudati) = with water. The grammar sets John’s water rite in direct contrast to the imminent, Spirit-empowered reality awaiting the disciples.
The thread — This declaration repeats the prophecy found in Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16, and is later recalled as fulfilled in Acts 11:16 when Peter describes the Spirit falling on the Gentile believers.
Why it lands — It requires readers to abandon immediate political or human solutions and wait for divine empowerment, trusting God’s timing over personal timelines.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Cross-references
- Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
- Acts 11:15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning.
- Luke 3:16 John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
- Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
- Mark 1:8 I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
- Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
- Acts 10:45 All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
- Acts 2:16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
- Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.