SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 19:3

19:3a

Into what, then, were you baptized?: This clause in Greek is literally “Into what then were you baptized?” The phrase “into what” refers to the kind of baptism and therefore what system of beliefs supporting that baptism. The Jews baptized people for ritual cleansing, John the Baptist baptized people to show repentance, and Christians baptized people to show that they believed in Jesus. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Well, then, what kind of baptism did you receive? (Good News Translation)
-or-
For what reason were you baptized?
-or-
When ⌊someone⌋ baptized you, what did it mean/show?

baptized: This word refers to being ceremonially washed with a ritual that uses water. See how you translated this word in 18:25. But the word here should not refer specifically to Christian baptism.

19:3b

The baptism of John: This phrase refers to how (and why) John the Baptist baptized people. It is not a complete sentence. Some languages must have a complete sentence. For example:

⌊It was⌋ John’s baptism.
-or-

⌊We were baptized with⌋ John’s baptism.
-or-

⌊Someone⌋ baptized ⌊us according to the teaching of⌋ John ⌊the Baptist⌋
-or-

⌊Someone⌋ baptized ⌊us according to what⌋ John ⌊the Baptist⌋ ⌊taught⌋

By doing this baptism, they were following what John the Baptist taught. So this answer probably implies that they were disciples of John.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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