19:20

This verse is a summary statement. It is similar to other summary statements in Acts (6:7, 12:24, 13:49).

So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail: The Greek words are literally “In this way powerfully the word of the Lord was growing and becoming strong.” The word powerfully describes the rest of the sentence. For example:

So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily. (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
In this powerful way the word of the Lord kept spreading and growing stronger. (Good News Translation)
-or-
So in a powerful way more and more people heard the message about the Lord ⌊Jesus⌋, and it was affecting ⌊all those who were believing it⌋ more and more.

So: This phrase refers to the previous events. It may include all the events in chapter 19 or even chapters 16–18. For example:

In such ways (Revised English Bible)

the word of the Lord: This phrase refers to the message about Jesus.

powerfully continued to spread and prevail: The Greek words indicate that these events occurred over some time. For example:

continued to spread widely and grow in power
-or-
was growing mightily and was spreading widely

continued to spread: This phrase indicates that people in more and more places heard the message about Jesus and believed it.

This is a figure of speech. In some languages a literal translation will not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

caused ⌊people⌋ in more and more places ⌊to believe⌋

prevail: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as prevail can refer to:

(1) becoming strong,

(2) triumphing over enemies.

Probably both meanings are indicated here. The word of the Lord became strong when many people believed well and did deeds of power such as miracles. The word of the Lord also triumphed over those who opposed it. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:

growing stronger (Good News Translation)
-or-
prevail (English Standard Version)
-or-
grew strong and triumphed

This is a figure of speech. In some languages a literal translation will not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

caused ⌊believers⌋ to become strong ⌊in faith⌋
-or-
caused ⌊believers⌋ to triumph over ⌊those who opposed it⌋

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