Exploring the Word of God Acts of the Apostles Volume 6: Chapters 19–23

By Paul Kroll

Paul Kroll continues his commentary on the book of Acts. This volume covers Paul's third missionary journey, centering on Ephesus, and his trip to Jerusalem and the circumstances that led to his being imprisoned by the Roman authorities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grace Communion International
• Release date: Jul 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476194035

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Exploring the Word of God

Acts of the Apostles

Volume 6: Chapters 19–23

By Paul Kroll

Copyright 2012 Grace Communion International

Published by Grace Communion International

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com 

The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Artwork by Ken Tunell. Copyright Grace Communion International.

Table of Contents

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:16)

Apollos in Ephesus (18:24-28)

Paul’s Ministry in Ephesus (19:1-22)

The Riot in Ephesus (19:23-41)

Macedonia, Greece, and Troas (20:1-12)

Paul’s Farewell Speech to the Ephesian Elders (20:13-38)

The Journey to Jerusalem (21:1-16)

Paul the Prisoner of Rome (Acts 21:17-28:31)

Paul Arrested in the Temple Area (21:17-40)

Paul’s Speech to the Temple Crowd (22:1-22)

Paul Asserts His Rights as a Citizen (22:23-30)

Paul’s Speech at the Sanhedrin (23:1-10)

Paul Taken to Caesarea (23:11-35)

About the author

About the publisher

Grace Communion Seminary

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Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

Acts 18:23-21:17

Editor’s note: Although this volume covers Acts chapters 19-23, we are including the commentary on the last part of chapter 18 as well, since it provides the context for Paul’s work in chapter 19.

The third journey begins (18:23)

Paul embarked on another extensive pastoral journey. He traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples (18:23). Here the expression probably referred to the Phyrgian region of Galatia, that is, the area of southern Galatia. Most commentators do not think Paul went into northern Galatia around Ancyra, Pessinus, or Tavium. Rather, Paul systematically moved through all the towns in which he had earlier preached the gospel (14:6). He also had revisited the churches during an earlier trip (14:21-23). Paul then took the road through the interior, heading west toward Ephesus (19:1). By doing so, he may have passed through the cities of Colossae and Laodicea, but he did not stop to preach (Colossians 2:1).

Apollos arrives in Ephesus (18:24)

During Paul’s excursion through the Phrygian-Galatian region (and his trip to Ephesus), a Jew name Apollos came to Ephesus from Alexandria, the great Egyptian metropolis (18:24). Apollos was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures (18:24). The word learned (Greek, logios) can mean either educated or eloquent. It appears that Apollos was both. He knew the Scriptures, and he refuted the Jews handily in debate (18:28).

In future years, Paul would come to regard Apollos as a friend and valued co-worker (1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 16:12; Titus 3:13). No doubt Luke had a purpose for including this incident about Apollos in his account. Perhaps some schismatic converts were claiming Apollos as their special leader (1 Corinthians 1:12). Luke wanted to show that Apollos was not a renegade preacher, but was loyal from the start to the tradition that Paul had taught.

Apollos spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately (18:25). However, he only knew the baptism of John. Apparently, Apollos had not heard about being baptized in the name of Jesus, and its meaning. Such a baptism had been proclaimed since Peter’s first public sermon on the day of Pentecost some two decades earlier, so it was odd that Apollos had not yet heard about this Christian baptism. But once again Luke didn’t explain the background of the situation. Neither did he say whether Apollos had received the Holy Spirit earlier or had now been baptized into Jesus’ name.

In another situation, Paul did rebaptize converts who only knew the baptism of John. They did not have the Holy Spirit before this, and received it only upon being rebaptized (19:2-7). But Luke gave no indication that Apollos was rebaptized, and presumably he already had God’s Spirit, for he taught about Jesus accurately. We should be reminded that while Acts describes a general pattern individuals must follow to receive the Holy Spirit, it also tells of a number of exceptions to the rule. Apparently, Apollos was one of the exceptions.

Way of the Lord (18:25-26)

Apollos did need some basic instruction about the Christian faith. Priscilla and Aquila noticed his deficiencies in understanding and they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately (18:26). We once again meet the expression way of God, which describes the faith that Christians practice (9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).

We don’t know exactly what it was that Apollos needed to be instructed about. But Luke took pains to make this point, when he told his readers little else about him. The significance of this must have been important to Theophilus, but for us it serves only as an interesting detail. Apollos remains an intriguing character about whom we would like to know more.

Luke’s brief and rather vague account does not enable us to say with certainty very much about Apollos. Had he learned about Christianity from someone of the type of the twelve ‘disciples’ referred to in 19:1-7 — who would almost certainly seem to have been members of a John the Baptist sect (Neil, 201).

Apollos goes to Corinth (18:27)

After spending some time in Ephesus, Apollos wanted to go to the province of Achaia, probably Corinth in particular (19:1). The disciples were in favor of this move and wrote a letter of recommendation, encouraging the churches in Achaia to receive him. When Apollos arrived in Achaia, he met with non-converted Jews and refuted them in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ (18:28).

Apollos became highly regarded by the churches in Achaia for his dedication and zeal, as well as his knowledge and public speaking skills. This is seen in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. In it, he takes to task some of the members who were creating division in the church by latching onto Apollos as their own party leader (1 Corinthians 1:10-12). There is no evidence that Apollos encouraged this party spirit or that he was Paul’s rival. Paul accepts Apollos as a trusted colleague and helpful teacher (1 Corinthians 3:5-6). In effect, Apollos had become another important member of Paul’s discipling team.

We should also note that Paul had not abandoned the Jews in doing his missionary work. Apollos continued Paul’s labor in Achaia by preaching to Jews, trying to convince them that Jesus is the Messiah. Perhaps that is a point Luke wanted to make by including Apollos in the story.

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Paul’s Ministry in Ephesus

Acts 19

Paul at Ephesus (Acts 19:1)

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul came to the important port of Ephesus, a city with a rich history. Ephesus was conquered by the legendary Croesus, King of Lydia, around 560 B.C. Later it came under Persian rule. Alexander the Great captured it in 334 B.C. From Alexander’s death, Ephesus was ruled by the Pergamum kings. But when the Romans were ready to take over the city, the last king of Pergamum, Attalus III, bequeathed the city to Rome. This happened in 133 B.C. The Romans soon made Ephesus the capital of a newly formed province of Asia.

Ephesus had a fine harbor to the west and was at the end of an important trading highway to the east. Ephesus therefore served as a center for east-west trade, and it became the greatest commercial city of the province. Its population may have peaked at around a third of a million.

Ephesus had passed its pinnacle as a commercial power by Paul’s day, though it was still a vital communications hub. Since the city was at the mouth of a river, its harbor continually silted up and had to be dredged. Perhaps that is why Paul had to land at Miletus, a port south of Ephesus, and travel overland to the city (20:15-16).

Paul’s third missionary journey was, in large part, devoted to preaching in Ephesus and the surrounding cities. He had stopped briefly at Ephesus earlier, and found a positive response to the gospel (18:19-21). However, as Paul had been intent on going to Jerusalem and Antioch, he couldn’t stay very long, but promised to return. Luke says little about what happened during Paul’s two-year ministry at Ephesus and Asia. He focused on a few incidents that happened, especially a riot, and devoted most