Bible Strands
Acts 19:4
Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a group of disciples in Ephesus immediately after they confess they received only John’s baptism.
The words — μετανοίας (metanoias) means “of repentance,” defining the purpose and scope of John’s water rite.
The thread — The text links John’s preparatory ministry to Jesus in Acts 1:5 and Acts 11:16, while John 1:29 identifies that coming One as the Lamb of God.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize that repentance must direct faith toward Jesus, not remain fixed on a precursor.
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
Then 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.
Cross-references
- John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
- Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
- Acts 11:16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
- 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.
- John 1:7 He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.
- John 1:27 He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
- John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’
- Acts 13:23 From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.
- 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.
- Matthew 11:3 to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”