Paul Departs; Apollos Instructed by Priscilla and Aquila
Acts 18:18-28
Acts.18.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ετι: ADV
- προσμεινας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ικανας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αδελφοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αποταξαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptcp,masc,sg,nom
- εξεπλει: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Συριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- συν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- Πρισκιλλα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Ακυλας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κειραμενος: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- Κεγχρεαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ειχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- ευχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 18:1-3 (structural): Introduces Paul’s encounter and partnership with Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth (they are fellow-workers and tentmakers), providing immediate narrative context for their travelling with him in v.18.
- Acts 18:26 (thematic): Later episode showing Priscilla and Aquila instructing Apollos in Ephesus; underscores their teaching/ministry role and continued association with Paul mentioned in v.18.
- Acts 21:23-26 (verbal): Describes Paul participating in a vow and having his head shaved at the Temple—a parallel practice to Paul’s shaving at Cenchreae because of a vow in Acts 18:18.
- Numbers 6:1-21 (cf. v.18) (allusion): Prescribes the Nazirite vow and the shaving of the head at its completion; provides the Old Testament background for the vow-related haircut mentioned in Acts 18:18.
- Romans 16:3-4 (thematic): Paul’s commendation of Priscilla and Aquila as fellow-workers who risked their lives highlights their close partnership with Paul, matching their joint travel and ministry in Acts 18:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- Paul stayed there a while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, with Priscilla and Aquila; and at Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow.
- Paul stayed there for some time, then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria; with him were Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow.
Acts.18.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κατηντησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- Εφεσον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κακεινους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- κατελιπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- δε: CONJ
- εισελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συναγωγην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- διελεξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- Ιουδαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 18:4 (verbal): Same episode/chapter—Paul is described disputing in the synagogue (διελεχόμην/διελεξάτο), continuing the synagogue argumentative ministry mentioned here.
- Acts 18:26 (allusion): Priscilla and Aquila are left in Ephesus and later instruct Apollos there—connects to Paul leaving them in Ephesus and the local ministry network that develops.
- Acts 19:8 (thematic): Paul in Ephesus later stays and reasons in the synagogue for three months—echoes and expands the pattern of synagogue proclamation begun in 18:19.
- Acts 17:2 (structural): Paul goes into the synagogue at Thessalonica 'as was his custom' to reason from the Scriptures—same missionary strategy of entering synagogues to debate and teach.
- Acts 13:14 (thematic): Paul and Barnabas enter the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch to address the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles—parallels the practice of initiating ministry in the synagogue setting.
Alternative generated candidates
- They arrived at Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
- When they arrived at Ephesus he left them there, but he himself entered the synagogue and argued with the Jews.
Acts.18.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ερωτωντων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- επι: PREP
- πλειονα: ADJ,comp,acc,sg,m
- χρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ουκ: PART,neg
- επενευσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 18:21 (structural): Immediate literary continuation of the same episode — Paul refuses to stay longer and announces his intention to go to Jerusalem (and to return, God willing).
- Acts 19:21 (thematic): Paul resolves to go to Jerusalem after completing his work in Asia; like Acts 18:20 this shows Paul declining to remain because of a prior commitment to go to Jerusalem.
- Acts 20:22-24 (thematic): Paul insists on going to Jerusalem 'bound in the Spirit' despite known dangers and others' appeals — a recurrent pattern of leaving despite requests that he stay.
- Acts 16:6-10 (thematic): The missionary itinerary in Acts is frequently guided by divine leading rather than local requests; here the Spirit forbids certain regions and directs Paul and companions elsewhere, paralleling decisions about where to remain.
Alternative generated candidates
- They asked him to stay longer, but he would not consent.
- They begged him to remain longer, but he would not consent.
Acts.18.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- αποταξαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptcp,masc,sg,nom
- και: CONJ
- ειπων·Παλιν: VERB,aor,act,part,m,sg,nom
- ανακαμψω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- θελοντος: VERB,pres,act,part,m,sg,gen
- ανηχθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Εφεσου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- James 4:15 (verbal): Uses the same conditional formula ("if the Lord wills" / "if God wills") to mark human plans as contingent on God's will.
- 1 Corinthians 4:19 (verbal): Paul's travel plan language: "I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills," directly echoing the contingency formula about visitation.
- Romans 15:32 (verbal): Paul expresses the hope of visiting "by God's will," thematically aligning travel intentions with dependence on God's will.
- Acts 21:13 (thematic): The Jerusalem-bound narrative culminates in the community's resignation to divine will ("Let the will of the Lord be done"), paralleling the theme of submitting travel plans to God's will.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, “I must by all means keep this feast that is in Jerusalem; yet I will return to you, if God wills.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
- Instead he took leave of them, saying, "I will return to you if God wills," and he set sail from Ephesus.
Acts.18.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- κατελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- Καισαρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αναβας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- και: CONJ
- ασπασαμενος: PART,aor,mid,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκκλησιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κατεβη: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- Αντιοχειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 9:30 (structural): Another early travel notice involving Caesarea as a transit point—Luke’s succinct travel formula (brought/went down to Caesarea) parallels the brief movement language here.
- Acts 14:26-28 (thematic): Luke’s recurring motif of missionaries ‘returning to Antioch’ and reporting to the mother church parallels Paul’s return/upward movement to Antioch as a home base.
- Acts 15:30-35 (verbal): Delegates deliver a letter and ‘greet’ the Antiochene church; echoes the action of arriving and greeting the church in Acts 18:22 (same church-center, same verb of greeting/reporting).
- Acts 21:8-17 (thematic): Paul’s later arrival in Caesarea and his interactions with the brethren there (and subsequent travel toward Jerusalem) mirror the Caesarea–Antioch itinerary and the routine of ‘greeting’ local Christians.
- Acts 20:16-18 (structural): Luke’s pattern of Paul’s determined travel to a major city (here Jerusalem) and his formal farewell/meetings with church leaders echoes the travel-log style and pastoral contacts exemplified in 18:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he landed at Caesarea he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.
- When he landed at Caesarea he went up and greeted the church, then went down to Antioch.
Acts.18.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ποιησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- χρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- διερχομενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
- καθεξης: ADV
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Γαλατικην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- χωραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Φρυγιαν: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- στηριζων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 14:21-22 (verbal): After returning through missions, Paul and Barnabas 'strengthened the souls/disciples'—very similar language and purpose (encouraging and establishing believers) and a comparable travel/return pattern.
- Acts 15:41 (structural): Paul 'went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.' Closely parallels Acts 18:23 in form and function: itinerant travel through regions with the explicit goal of strengthening local believers/churches.
- Acts 16:4-5 (thematic): As Paul and companions traveled they delivered apostolic decisions and 'the churches were strengthened in the faith'—same theme of itinerant ministry aimed at consolidating and encouraging churches.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (thematic): Paul sends Timothy to 'establish and encourage' the Thessalonians so their faith won't be shaken—reflects the same pastoral concern and goal expressed in Acts 18:23 of strengthening disciples.
Alternative generated candidates
- After he had spent some time there, he set out and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
- After he had spent some time there, he set out again and went through the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Acts.18.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ιουδαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- Απολλως: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Αλεξανδρευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- γενει: NOUN,dat,sg,nt
- ανηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λογιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- κατηντησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- Εφεσον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δυνατος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- γραφαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Acts 18:25 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same character: describes Apollos' fervor and teaching accuracy, and notes his prior limited knowledge (only John's baptism), developing the portrait of his scriptural competence.
- Acts 18:26 (structural): Shows how Priscilla and Aquila gave Apollos further instruction in 'the way of God,' explaining his growth from an eloquent, Scripture‑competent Jew to a more fully informed Christian teacher.
- Acts 18:28 (verbal): Directly echoes the claim that Apollos was 'mighty/competent in the Scriptures'—here he vigorously refutes Jews and proves from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
- 1 Corinthians 3:6 (thematic): Paul's depiction of Apollos as a co‑worker who 'watered' what Paul planted underscores Apollos' effective, respected ministry and public role as a teacher.
- Luke 24:27 (thematic): Jesus (in Luke) is described as explaining the Scriptures concerning himself; thematically parallels Apollos' use of the Scriptures to teach and prove Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man and well versed in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord,
- Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Acts.18.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- κατηχημενος: VERB,perf,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ζεων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ελαλει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εδιδασκεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ακριβως: ADV
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- περι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επισταμενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- μονον: ADV
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- βαπτισμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- Ιωαννου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 19:1-7 (verbal): Explicit parallel phrase and situation — disciples 'who had received only the baptism of John'; Paul encounters them and provides instruction and baptism in Jesus' name, highlighting the same limitation in understanding as with Apollos.
- Acts 18:26 (structural): Immediate narrative complement — Priscilla and Aquila 'explained to him the way of God more accurately,' directly resolving Apollos' limited knowledge noted in v.25.
- Matthew 3:11 (thematic): John's own description of his baptism ('with water... he will baptize with the Holy Spirit') frames the distinction between John's baptism and the fuller Christian baptism that Apollos had not yet grasped.
- John 1:31-34 (allusion): John the Baptist's testimony about recognizing and declaring Jesus undergirds the background of 'the baptism of John' and the early Christian testimony about 'things concerning Jesus' that Apollos taught.
Alternative generated candidates
- and was fervent in spirit; he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
- He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
Acts.18.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- ηρξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- παρρησιαζεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- συναγωγη·ακουσαντες: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- Πρισκιλλα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Ακυλας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προσελαβοντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ακριβεστερον: ADV,comp
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εξεθεντο: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 8:35 (thematic): Philip explains Scripture and the gospel to the Ethiopian; like Priscilla and Aquila, a believer provides interpretive instruction that leads to clearer understanding of Christ.
- Acts 9:2 (verbal): Uses the same designation 'the Way'/'the way of God' for the early Christian movement, echoing the terminology of Acts 18:26.
- 2 Timothy 2:2 (thematic): Paul's charge to entrust teaching to reliable people reflects the pattern of mentoring and passing on correct doctrine exemplified by Priscilla and Aquila's instruction of Apollos.
- Titus 2:3-5 (thematic): The household/communal model of older believers instructing others parallels Priscilla and Aquila's corrective, mentoring role in shaping sound teaching and practice.
Alternative generated candidates
- He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
- He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Acts.18.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βουλομενου: VERB,pres,mid,part,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- διελθειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Αχαιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- προτρεψαμενοι: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εγραψαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μαθηταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αποδεξασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- αυτον·ος: PRON,acc,sg,m
- παραγενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- συνεβαλετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- πολυ: ADV
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- πεπιστευκοσιν: VERB,perf,act,part,dat,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- χαριτος·: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 18:24-28 (structural): Immediate context in the same episode of Apollos: his further instruction by Priscilla and Aquila and his subsequent ministry, which frames v.27’s mention of recommendation, arrival in Achaia, and effective help to believers.
- 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (thematic): Paul credits Apollos with ‘watering’ what Paul planted—an explicit later assessment of Apollos’ role in strengthening believers, echoing Acts 18:27’s report that he ‘helped them much.’
- Acts 11:22-24 (thematic): The Jerusalem church ‘sent’ and ‘encouraged’ Barnabas to Antioch, and he in turn exhorted and strengthened many—parallel pattern of brethren commissioning/encouraging a worker and the worker’s impact on believers.
- Romans 16:1-2 (structural): Paul’s commendation letter for Phoebe to the Roman church mirrors the practice in Acts 18:27 of brethren writing to the disciples to receive and support a fellow worker.
- Ephesians 3:7-8 (thematic): Paul describes his ministry to the Gentiles as given ‘through the working of God’s power’/‘by the grace of God,’ resonating with Acts 18:27’s emphasis that Apollos aided believers ‘through grace.’
Alternative generated candidates
- When he desired to go to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who by grace had believed.
- And when he was disposed to go into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived he greatly aided those who had believed through grace.
Acts.18.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ευτονως: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- Ιουδαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- διακατηλεγχετο: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- δημοσια: ADV
- επιδεικνυς: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- γραφων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 17:2-3 (verbal): Paul reasoned in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, explaining and proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ—same activity of arguing from Scripture to establish Jesus as Messiah.
- Luke 24:27 (allusion): Jesus, 'beginning with Moses and all the Prophets,' interpreted to them the things concerning himself—parallels the method of demonstrating Jesus as the Christ from the Scriptures.
- John 5:39 (thematic): Jesus states that the Scriptures bear witness about him; Acts 18:28 reflects this principle of using Scripture testimony to identify Jesus as the Messiah.
- Acts 9:20 (structural): Immediately after his conversion Paul went into synagogues proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God—similar public synagogue proclamation and refutation of Jewish opponents as in Acts 18:28.
- Acts 26:22-23 (thematic): Paul summarizes his message as fulfillment of prophetic testimony about the Christ's sufferings and vindication—echoes the use of Scripture to show that Jesus is the Messiah.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. So the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.
- For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Paul remained there a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, with Priscilla and Aquila; and he had his hair cut at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.
They arrived at Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
When they asked him to stay longer, he did not consent. But he took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast at Jerusalem; yet I will return to you, God willing." And he sailed away from Ephesus.
When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.
After he had spent some time there he set out and traveled through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
A certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man and competent in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
When he was minded to pass into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to receive him.
When he arrived he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, proving by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.