Acts 19:3
New International Version
So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.

New Living Translation
“Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.”

English Standard Version
And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into the baptism of John."

King James Bible
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

New King James Version
And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

New American Standard Bible
And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

NASB 1995
And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

NASB 1977
And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

Amplified Bible
And he asked, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Into what then were you baptized? ” he asked them. “Into John’s baptism,” they replied.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then what baptism were you baptized with?” he asked them.” With John’s baptism,” they replied.

American Standard Version
And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism.

Contemporary English Version
"Then why were you baptized?" Paul asked. They answered, "Because of what John taught."

English Revised Version
And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Paul asked them, "What kind of baptism did you have?" They answered, "John's baptism."

Good News Translation
"Well, then, what kind of baptism did you receive?" Paul asked. "The baptism of John," they answered.

International Standard Version
He then asked, "Then into what were you baptized?" They answered, "Into John's baptism."

Majority Standard Bible
?Into what, then, were you baptized?? Paul asked. ?The baptism of John,? they replied.

NET Bible
So Paul said, "Into what then were you baptized?" "Into John's baptism," they replied.

New Heart English Bible
He said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism.

Weymouth New Testament
"Into what then were you baptized?" he asked. "Into John's baptism," they replied.

World English Bible
He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he said to them, “Into what, then, were you immersed?” And they said, “Into John’s immersion.”

Berean Literal Bible
And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into the baptism of John."

Young's Literal Translation
and he said unto them, 'To what, then, were ye baptized?' and they said, 'To John's baptism.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to them, Into what then were ye immersed? And they said, Into John's immersion.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: In what then were you baptized? Who said: In John's baptism.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”

New American Bible
He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he said to them, By what baptism then were you baptized? They said, By the baptism of John.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said to them, “Unto what were you baptized?” They were saying, “Unto the baptism of Yohannan”.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he said to them: Into what, then, were you immersed? They replied: Into John's immersion.

Godbey New Testament
And he said, Into what then were you baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John.

Haweis New Testament
And he asked them, Into what then were ye baptised? And they replied, Into John?s baptism.

Mace New Testament
what baptism then, said he, did you receive? they replied, the baptism of John.

Weymouth New Testament
"Into what then were you baptized?" he asked. "Into John's baptism," they replied.

Worrell New Testament
And he said, "Into what, then, were ye immersed?" And they said, "Into John's immersion."

Worsley New Testament
And he said unto them, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus
2and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. The baptism of John,” they replied. 4Paul 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.”…

Cross References
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.

Mark 1:4
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

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 1:26
“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.

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.’

Acts 18:25
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Acts 8:16
For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:37
You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed:

Romans 6:3
Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

1 Corinthians 1:13-17
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? / I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, / so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. ...

1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Galatians 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Ephesians 4:5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, To what then were you baptized? And they said, To John's baptism.

Unto what.

Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Unto John's.

Acts 18:25
This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

Matthew 3:1-17
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, …

Luke 3:1-38
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, …

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Acts 19
1. The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands.
8. The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.
13. The Jewish exorcists,
16. are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit.
19. Conjuring books are burnt.
21. Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35. which is appeased by the town clerk.














Into what then were you baptized?
This phrase is a direct question posed by the Apostle Paul to a group of disciples he encountered in Ephesus. The Greek word for "baptized" here is "ἐβαπτίσθητε" (ebaptisthēte), which is derived from "βαπτίζω" (baptizō), meaning to immerse or submerge. This word choice emphasizes the act of baptism as a full immersion, symbolizing a complete identification with the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. Historically, baptism was a common practice in various religious traditions, but in the Christian context, it signifies a public declaration of faith and repentance. Paul's question reveals his concern for the authenticity and completeness of their faith experience, as baptism is not merely a ritual but a profound spiritual transformation.

John’s baptism, they replied
The response of the disciples, "John’s baptism," indicates that they were followers of John the Baptist's teachings. John’s baptism, as described in the Gospels, was a baptism of repentance, preparing the way for the coming Messiah. The Greek term "βάπτισμα" (baptisma) used here refers specifically to the rite of purification that John administered. This baptism was significant in its time, calling people to repentance and readiness for the coming of Christ. However, it lacked the full revelation of the Holy Spirit, which is central to Christian baptism. The historical context here is crucial; John’s ministry was a precursor to Jesus’ ministry, and his baptism was a call to moral and spiritual renewal in anticipation of the Messiah.

(3) Unto what then were ye baptized?--The answer of the disciples had shown (1) an imperfect instruction, falling short of that which catechumens ordinarily received before they were admitted to the new birth by water and the Spirit; (2) an imperfect spiritual experience. Could those who made it have been admitted into the Church of Christ by baptism in His name? The answer to that question showed their precise position. They were practically disciples of the Baptist, believing in Jesus as the Christ, and thinking that this constituted a sufficient qualification for communion with the Church of Christ.

Verse 3. - He said for he said unto them, A.V. and T.R.; into for unto (twice), A.V. Into what then were ye baptized? Nothing can mark more strongly the connection between baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit than this question does. For it implies, "How could you be ignorant of the giving of the Holy Ghost if you were duly baptized?" (comp. Acts 2:38) The answer explains it, "We were baptized with John's baptism, to which no promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost was attached."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Into
Εἰς (Eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

what,
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

then,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

were you baptized?”
ἐβαπτίσθητε (ebaptisthēte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 907: Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.

[Paul] asked.
Εἶπέν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“The
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

baptism
βάπτισμα (baptisma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 908: The rite or ceremony of baptism. From baptizo; baptism.

of John,”
Ἰωάννου (Iōannou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

they replied.
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.


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NT Apostles: Acts 19:3 He said Into what then were you (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 19:2
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