The question which Paul puts to these disciples is not a question regarding the manner of their baptism, as might be suggested by some translations, “How then were you baptized?” (An American Translation*; see also Jerusalem Bible, Phillips). When Paul asked them what kind of baptism did you receive? (so also Barclay), he is asking them what was the meaning or significance of their baptism. And the answer that they give to this question is the baptism of John, by which they indicate that the meaning of their baptism was the same as that which John the Baptist had proclaimed.

In some languages it is extremely difficult to speak of what kind of baptism did you receive? since one cannot “receive baptism.” One can, of course, be “baptized” or “someone can baptize someone.” In some languages the closest equivalent of Paul’s question to the believers is “what did it mean when you were baptized?” The answer would then be “It meant what John said was involved when people were baptized.” In this way one may refer to the preaching of John concerning turning away from sins and being forgiven. A literal translation of the baptism of John might very well apply only to John himself being baptized, or to John doing the baptizing. But this is obviously not what is meant in this passage. In some translations, the baptism of John is simply indicated as “the baptism which John spoke about.” (See 1.22.)

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .