Acts 19:8-9
What is written? (ESV)
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
What does it say?
Paul (and company) preached in the synagogue for three months about the kingdom of God. However, some were stubborn, refused to believe and spoke out publicly against “the Way.” As a result, Paul and the disciples left them (the Jews in the synagogue) and preached everyday in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
What is its immediate context?
Paul has travelled to Ephesus in the midst of his third missionary journey. He remains in Ephesus preaching for two years (vs 10). “God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands,” (vs 11) and the success of the gospel was known throughout so that “a great disturbance took place concerning the Way.” (vs 23)
How Acts 19:8-9 is applied across Bible answers
What is Christ’s church called?
Twice in the text, Luke refers to the believers in Ephesus as "the Way" - although it's not entirely clear if that is referencing the specific group meeting in Ephesus or the Christ movement that was sweeping the region/world at the time.
