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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
- BSB 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.”
- NKJV Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
- NASB Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
- NLT Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul explained that John's baptism called people to repent and to believe in Jesus, the One who was to come.
Overview
John himself directed people away from himself and toward Christ (John 1:29-30). Paul shows that John's ministry was preparatory, finding its fulfillment in Jesus. The verse clarifies that true faith rests not in the forerunner but in the One he announced, the Savior these disciples now embrace.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Acts 11:16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
- John 1:29–34The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
- Acts 1:5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
- Luke 3:16–18John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
- John 1:7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
- John 3:28–36Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
- Acts 13:23–25Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
- John 1:27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
- Luke 1:76–79And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
- John 1:15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
- Matt 21:25–32The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
- Matt 11:3–5And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
- John 5:33–35Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
- Mark 1:1–12The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
- Matt 3:11–12I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 19:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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