Acts 18 · Verse 24

Acts 18:24

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Acts 18:24, King James Version

Acts 18:24 in other translations

BSBMeanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures.
WEBNow a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.
ASVNow a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.
YLTAnd a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, a man of eloquence, being mighty in the Writings, came to Ephesus,
DARBYBut a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, who was mighty in the scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.
BBENow a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, and a man of learning, came to Ephesus; and he had great knowledge of the holy Writings.
WebsterAnd a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

What does Acts 18:24 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 18:24-25
24-25. a ... Jew named Apollos--a contraction from Apollonius. born at Alexandria--the celebrated city of Egypt on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean, called after its founder, Alexander the Great. Nowhere was there such a fusion of Greek, Jewish, and Oriental peculiarities, and an intelligent Jew educated in that city could hardly fail to manifest all these elements in his mental character. eloquent--turning his Alexandrian culture to high account. and mighty in the scriptures--his eloquence enabling him to express clearly and enforce skilfully what, as a Jew, he had gathered from a diligent study of the Old Testament Scriptures. came to Ephesus--on what errand is not known.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 24. And a certain Jew named Apollos. Apollos afterwards became a distinguished and successful preacher of the gospel, 1Cor 1:12; 1Cor 3:5,6, 4:6, Tit 3:13. Nothing more is known of him than is stated in these passages.

Born at Alexandria. Alexandria was a celebrated city in Egypt, founded by Alexander the Great. There were large numbers of Jews resident there. Acts 6:9.

An eloquent man. Alexandria was famous for its schools; and it is probable that Apollos, in addition to his natural endowments, had enjoyed the benefit of these schools.

Mighty in the Scriptures. Well instructed, or able in the Old Testament. The foundation was thus laid for future usefulness in the Christian church. Lk 24:19.

(f) "named Apollos" 1Cor 1:12, 3:5,6, Tit 3:13

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 24 A certain Jew named Apollos - One MS., with the Coptic and Armenian, calls him Apelles; and the Codex Bezae, Apollonius. It is strange that we should find a Jew, not only with a Roman name, as Aquila, an eagle; but with the name of one of the false gods, as Apollos or Apollo in the text. Query: Whether the parents of this man were not originally Gentiles, but converted to Judaism after their son Apollo (for so we should write the word) had been born and named. Born at Alexandria - This was a celebrated city of Egypt, built by Alexander the Great, from whom it took its name. It was seated on the Mediterranean Sea, between the Lake Mareotis and the beautiful harbour formed by the Isle of Pharos, about twelve miles west of the Canopic branch of the Nile, in lat. 31. 10'. N. This city was built under the direction of Dinocrates, the celebrated architect of the temple of Diana at Ephesus. It was in this city that Ptolemy Soter founded the famous academy called the Museum, in which a society of learned men devoted themselves to philosophical studies. Some of the most celebrated schools of antiquity flourished here; and here was the Tower of Pharos, esteemed one of the seven wonders of the world. Alexandria was taken by the French, July 4, 1798, under the command of Bonaparte; and was surrendered to the English under General, now Lord, Hutchinson, in 1801. And, in consequence of the treaty of peace between France and England, it was restored to the Turks. Near this place was the celebrated obelisk, called Cleopatra's Needle; and the no less famous column, called Pompey's Pillar. This city exhibits but very slender remains of its ancient splendor. An eloquent man - Having strong rhetorical powers; highly cultivated, no doubt, in the Alexandrian schools. Mighty in the Scriptures - Thoroughly acquainted with the law and prophets; and well skilled in the Jewish method of interpreting them.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 18:24-28
Apollos taught in the gospel of Christ, as far as John's ministry would carry him, and no further. We cannot but think he had heard of Christ's death and resurrection, but he was not informed as to the mystery of them. Though he had not the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, as the apostles, he made use of the gifts he had. The dispensation of the Spirit, whatever the measure of it may be, is given to every man to profit withal. He was a lively, affectionate preacher; fervent in spirit. He was full of zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of precious souls. Here was a complete man of God, thoroughly furnished for his work. Aquila and Priscilla encouraged his ministry, by attendance upon it. They did not despise Apollos themselves, or undervalue him to others; but considered the disadvantages he had laboured under. And having themselves got knowledge in the truths of the gospel by their long intercourse with Paul, they told what they knew to him. Young scholars may gain a great deal by converse with old Christians. Those who do believe through grace, yet still need help. As long as they are in this world, there are remainders of unbelief, and something lacking in their faith to be perfected, and the work of faith to be fulfilled. If the Jews were convinced that Jesus is Christ, even their own law would teach them to hear him. The business of ministers is to preach Christ. Not only to preach the truth, but to prove and defend it, with meekness, yet with power.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 18:24 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἸουδαῖοςIoudaiosA JewG2453
δέdenowG1161
τιςtiscertainG5100
ἈπολλῶςApollōsApollosG625
ὀνόματι,onomatinamed,G3686
ἈλεξανδρεὺςAlexandreusof AlexandriaG221
τῷtō<the>G3588
γένει,geneia native,G1085
ἀνὴρanēra manG435
λόγιος,logioseloquent,G3052
κατήντησενkatēntēsencameG2658
εἰςeistoG1519
ἜφεσονEphesonEphesusG2181
δυνατὸςdunatosmightyG1415
ὢνōnbeingG1510
ἐνeninG1722
ταῖςtaistheG3588
γραφαῖς.graphaisScriptures.G1124

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 18:24

  • 1 Corinthians 4:6

    And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

  • Titus 3:13

    Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:5-6

    Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:12

    As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

  • Colossians 3:16

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

  • Ezra 7:12

    Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.

  • Acts 27:6

    And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

  • Ezra 7:6

    This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.

  • Acts 7:22

    And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

  • Luke 24:19

    And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

  • Matthew 13:52

    Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Apollos.
19:1; 1Co 1:12; 3:5,6; 4:6; 16:12; Tit 3:13
Alexandria.
6:9; 27:6
an.
Ex 4:10; Isa 3:3; 1Co 2:1,2; 2Co 10:10
mighty.
28; 7:22; Ezr 7:6,12; Mt 13:52; Lu 24:19; Col 3:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 18:23

    And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

  • Acts 18:24

    And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

  • 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.

Read all of Acts 18

Acts 18:24 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Llegó entonces á Efeso un Judío, llamado Apolos, natural de Alejandría, varón elocuente, poderoso en las Escrituras.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et il vint à Éphèse un Juif, nommé Apollos, Alexandrin d’origine, homme éloquent et puissant dans les écritures.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ein gewisser Jude aber, mit Namen Apollos, aus Alexandrien gebürtig, ein beredter Mann, der mächtig war in den Schriften, kam nach Ephesus.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Judæus autem quidam, Apollo nomine, Alexandrinus genere, vir eloquens, devenit Ephesum, potens in scripturis.