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.”
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.”
- KJV 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.
- 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.”
- 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 11:16I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’
- John 1:29–34The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
- Acts 1:5For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
- Luke 3:16–18John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
- John 1:7The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
- John 3:28–36You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’
- Acts 13:23–25From this man’s offspring, God has brought salvation to Israel according to his promise,
- John 1:27He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.”
- Luke 1:76–79And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
- John 1:15John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”
- Matt 21:25–32The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
- Matt 11:3–5and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
- John 5:33–35You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
- Mark 1:1–12The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
- Matt 3:11–12I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
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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