Acts 19:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

NIV: This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

NASB: This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

CSB: This went on for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.

NLT: This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia — both Jews and Greeks — heard the word of the Lord.

KJV: And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

NKJV: And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Each of the large cities Paul preaches in have a different reaction to the gospel. Thessalonica, despite the heavy persecution by the devout Jews, grows into a faithful, discerning church (Acts 17:5–9; 1 Thessalonians 1:2–8). The women in Philippi accepted Jesus' offer gratefully and continued to provide for Paul's mission (Acts 16:14–15; Philippians 4:16). The Bereans diligently studied Scripture to see if Paul's words were true (Acts 17:11). The Corinthians, embedded in a vulgar pagan culture, had a hard time understanding the basics of godly living (1 Corinthians 5:1–2).

On the other side of the Aegean Sea, in the province of Asia in the southwest of modern-day Turkey, Paul reaches a city that is already primed for Jesus' story. Apollos, a Jewish teacher from Alexandria, lived there for some time. He was a devout follower of John the Baptist and spoke powerfully of the need for repentance. He also knew some about Jesus and accurately taught what he knew. When Priscilla and Aquila met him, they explained more about Jesus, and Apollos readily accepted their word (Acts 18:24–26).

By the time Paul gets to Ephesus, Apollos is already in Corinth (Acts 18:27–28; 19:1). His legacy, however, continues. Whether through him or first-hand experience, John's baptism of repentance has infiltrated Ephesus. When Paul identifies John's Messiah with Jesus of Nazareth, many accept the message readily (Acts 19:1–7). Despite the infiltration of demons, magic, and Artemis-worship (Acts 19:13, 19, 24), the Jews and Gentiles are ready for Jesus' forgiveness. In fact, Christianity stood in Asia until after the Turkish war of 1923 when the Greeks who lived in Turkey and the Turks who lived in Greece returned to their ancestral lands.

Acts 19:8–10 gives a quick synopsis of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. He is in the middle of his third missionary journey. Paul, Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos have already shared Jesus' story with the Jews (Acts 18:19–21, 24–26). Now, Paul spends three months in the synagogue, explaining what Jesus taught about the kingdom of God. When he meets resistance, he moves to a lecture hall for two years. People from all over southwestern modern-day Turkey hear the good news of Jesus before Paul moves on.

Acts 19 recounts Paul's three-year visit in Ephesus. He starts by revealing how Jesus of Nazareth has brought to life the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit validates Paul's message by healing those struck with physical ailments and demon possession. Amazed by Paul's authority over evil spirits, so many magicians turn to Christ that the craftsmen who make idols fear for their livelihoods. They nearly incite a riot before the town clerk settles them down. Paul realizes his time in Ephesus has ended, and he travels to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

Acts 19 is the meat of Paul's third missionary voyage. He has already revisited the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now he returns to Ephesus for a three-year stay. After firmly establishing the church there, rescuing many from pagan magic and the worship of Artemis, he returns to Macedonia and Greece. A threat on his life sends him back up to Macedonia and across to Troas. He meets briefly with the Ephesian elders to tell them they will not meet again (Acts 20). When he returns to Jerusalem, he is arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.