Bible Strands
Acts 18:24
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke narrates this event immediately after Paul departs Antioch and strengthens disciples in Galatia and Phrygia, introducing Apollos as he arrives in Ephesus. The account shifts focus from Paul’s itinerant ministry to a new figure entering the same city before Apollos begins teaching in Acts 18:25.
The words — Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaios) literally means Jew, and Ἀλεξανδρεὺς (Alexandreus) denotes a native of Alexandria, establishing Apollos’s ethnic and geographic origin. These terms precede the description of his eloquence and scriptural training, grounding his identity before his ministry.
The thread — Apollos reappears in 1 Corinthians 3:5 and 1 Corinthians 4:6 as a fellow servant through whom believers came to faith, and in Titus 3:13 where Paul directs Titus to equip him. The narrative thread tracks his movement from Ephesus into coordinated apostolic work.
Why it lands — The text records Apollos’s arrival, background, and scriptural competence without commentary, requiring the reader to observe how trained individuals are positioned within the early church’s expansion. It demands recognition of the continuity between Jewish identity, Hellenistic education, and the transmission of Jesus’ message.
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
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 3:5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
- 1 Corinthians 4:6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.
- Titus 3:13 Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need.
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
- Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- Exodus 4:10 “Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
- Ezra 7:6 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
- Ezra 7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings.
- Isaiah 3:3 the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter.