Acts 19:20
New International Version
In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

New Living Translation
So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

English Standard Version
So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Berean Standard Bible
So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.

Berean Literal Bible
Thus the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail with might.

King James Bible
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

New King James Version
So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

New American Standard Bible
So the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing mightily.

NASB 1995
So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

NASB 1977
So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

Amplified Bible
So the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] was growing greatly and prevailing.

Christian Standard Bible
In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In this way the Lord’s message flourished and prevailed.

American Standard Version
So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

Contemporary English Version
So the Lord's message spread and became even more powerful.

English Revised Version
So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.

Good News Translation
In this powerful way the word of the Lord kept spreading and growing stronger.

International Standard Version
In that way the word of the Lord kept spreading and triumphing.

Majority Standard Bible
So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.

NET Bible
In this way the word of the Lord continued to grow in power and to prevail.

New Heart English Bible
So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.

Webster's Bible Translation
So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.

Weymouth New Testament
Thus mightily did the Lord's Message spread and triumph!

World English Bible
So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so powerfully was the word of God increasing and prevailing.

Berean Literal Bible
Thus the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail with might.

Young's Literal Translation
so powerfully was the word of God increasing and prevailing.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus with might the word of the Lord increased, and was strong.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So mightily grew the word of God, and was confirmed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In this way, the Word of God was increasing strongly and was being confirmed.

New American Bible
Thus did the word of the Lord continue to spread with influence and power.

New Revised Standard Version
So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So mightily grew the faith of God and greatly increased in numbers.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And thus with great power the faith of God was increasing in strength and growing.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
So mightily did the word of the Lord grow and prevail.

Godbey New Testament
Thus the word of the Lord increased and accumulated strength according to His power.

Haweis New Testament
So mightily did the word of God increase and prevail.

Mace New Testament
thus the christian doctrine flourish'd and prevail'd.

Weymouth New Testament
Thus mightily did the Lord's Message spread and triumph!

Worrell New Testament
So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.

Worsley New Testament
So mightily did the word of the Lord increase and prevail.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sons of Sceva
19And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail. 21After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

Colossians 1:6
that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.

2 Timothy 2:9
for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!

Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.

Luke 8:11-15
Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. / The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. / The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away. ...

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Psalm 147:15
He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.

Mark 4:26-29
Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. / Night and day he sleeps and wakes, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he knows not how. / All by itself the earth produces a crop—first the stalk, then the head, then grain that ripens within. ...

John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.


Treasury of Scripture

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Acts 6:7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 12:24
But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

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Full Greatly Grew Growing Increased Increasing Lord's Message Mightily Mighty Power Powerfully Prevailed Prevailing Spread Triumph Way Widely Word
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Full Greatly Grew Growing Increased Increasing Lord's Message Mightily Mighty Power Powerfully Prevailed Prevailing Spread Triumph Way Widely Word
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.














So the word of the Lord
This phrase refers to the message of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. In the context of Acts 19, the "word of the Lord" is being proclaimed by Paul and his companions in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia. The "word" is not just spoken words but the transformative message that brings salvation and change to individuals and communities. This aligns with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands His disciples to spread His teachings to all nations.

powerfully
The term "powerfully" indicates the dynamic and effective nature of the Gospel's spread. It suggests that the message was not only being shared but was also accompanied by signs, wonders, and the evident work of the Holy Spirit. This is consistent with the early church's experience, as seen in Acts 1:8, where Jesus promises that His followers will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. The power here is both spiritual and transformative, affecting hearts and minds.

continued to spread
The phrase "continued to spread" highlights the ongoing and unstoppable nature of the Gospel's expansion. Despite opposition and challenges, the message of Christ was reaching more people and regions. This reflects the fulfillment of Jesus' words in Acts 1:8, where He outlines the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The spread of the word in Ephesus, a center of commerce and culture, would have had significant ripple effects throughout the Roman Empire.

and prevail.
"Prevail" indicates victory and dominance over opposition. In the context of Acts 19, this includes overcoming the influence of pagan practices, magic, and idolatry prevalent in Ephesus. The prevailing of the word signifies the triumph of God's truth over falsehood and darkness, as seen in the dramatic events earlier in the chapter, such as the burning of magic books by new believers (Acts 19:19). This victory is a foretaste of the ultimate triumph of Christ's kingdom, as prophesied in passages like Daniel 2:44, where God's kingdom is described as one that will crush all other kingdoms and stand forever.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
A key figure in the spread of Christianity, Paul was instrumental in establishing the church in Ephesus, where this verse is set.

2. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, known for its temple to Artemis and a center of commerce and culture. It was a significant location for early Christian evangelism.

3. The Word of the Lord
Refers to the message of the Gospel, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the Scriptures that were being spread by the apostles and early Christians.

4. Miracles and Conversions
Prior to this verse, Paul performed miracles, and many Ephesians turned from sorcery and idolatry to Christianity, demonstrating the power of the Gospel.

5. Cultural and Spiritual Conflict
The spread of Christianity in Ephesus led to a clash with existing pagan practices and beliefs, highlighting the transformative power of the Gospel.
Teaching Points
The Power of the Gospel
The Gospel is inherently powerful and transformative, capable of changing lives and societies. Believers should have confidence in its ability to prevail against cultural and spiritual opposition.

The Role of Faithful Witnesses
Like Paul, Christians are called to be faithful witnesses, trusting that God will use their efforts to spread His Word effectively.

Overcoming Spiritual Opposition
The spread of the Gospel often encounters resistance, but believers can be encouraged that God's Word will ultimately prevail.

Cultural Engagement
Christians are called to engage with their culture, bringing the light of the Gospel into areas of darkness and idolatry, just as Paul did in Ephesus.

The Importance of Community
The growth of the Word in Ephesus was facilitated by a community of believers working together. Christians should seek to build and strengthen their local church communities.(20) So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.--The verbs imply a continuous growth. The better MSS. give, "the word of the Lord."

Verse 20. - The Lord for God, A.V. If the R.T. has the true order of the words, they must be construed, To such an extent, according to the might of the Lord, did the word grow and prevail, after the analogy of Ephesians 1:19. Κατὰ κράτος, however, taken by itself, is quite usual, like κατὰ μικρόν καθ ὑπερβολήν, etc. (Alford), and is rightly rendered "mightily."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
Οὕτως (Houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγος (logos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

powerfully
κράτος (kratos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2904: Dominion, strength, power; a mighty deed. Perhaps a primary word; vigor.

continued to spread
ηὔξανεν (ēuxanen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 837: (a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

prevail.
ἴσχυεν (ischyen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2480: To have strength, be strong, be in full health and vigor, be able; meton: I prevail. From ischus; to have force.


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Acts 19:19
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