Bible Strands
Acts 19:6
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul places his hands on twelve men in Ephesus immediately after they hear John’s message and are baptized into Jesus’ name. The event occurs at the conclusion of their instruction and marks their transition from John’s baptism to Christian initiation.
The words — ἐπιθέντος (epithentos) literally means “when laying upon,” denoting Paul’s physical placement of hands on the group. ἦλθεν (ēlthen) translates as “came,” describing the Spirit’s arrival upon them without indicating a gradual process.
The thread — The laying on of hands and Spirit reception mirrors the apostolic commission in Acts 6:6 and the Pentecost outpouring in Acts 2:4, while aligning with the promised signs in Mark 16:17. The narrative thread moves from John’s water baptism to Spirit-filled empowerment through apostolic mediation.
Why it lands — The text first records the physical act of laying hands and the subsequent arrival of the Spirit, then notes the resulting tongues and prophecy. It requires a reader to acknowledge that early church initiation involved both tangible apostolic action and direct divine intervention, demanding acceptance of this sequence as normative for the narrative’s scope.
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 when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Cross-references
- Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
- Acts 6:6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
- Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
- 1 Timothy 5:22 Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
- Acts 9:17 So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
- 2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
- Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit,