for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is highlighting the radical difference between John's baptism and His own coming work. While John's baptism with water was a preparatory sign, Jesus' baptism with the Holy Spirit would immerse believers in the very power and presence of God, fundamentally transforming them. This wasn't just another ritual, but an internal, powerful impartation that would equip them for everything that lay ahead.
for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is speaking to his apostles, just before his ascension, reminding them of John the Baptist's prophecy that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This promise is about to be fulfilled, signifying a new era of God's presence and power that far surpasses John's water baptism. The disciples are being prepared for the coming empowerment that will enable them to carry out their mission.
John the Baptist's ministry was powerful, but Jesus declared a coming baptism that was fundamentally different. What made this new baptism so significant?
Jesus highlights a stark contrast between John's baptism and the baptism His followers would soon receive.
John's Baptism:
The Spirit's Baptism:
Jesus is pointing His followers from the sign to the substance, from the preparation to the power.
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Jesus tells His disciples this new baptism is coming 'not many days from now.' What does this specific timing tell us about God's plans?
The phrase 'not many days from now' isn't just a casual timeframe; it's a deliberate promise filled with divine urgency.
The Imminence of God's Plan:
Understand the original words
baptizō · Greek Verb
To immerse, submerge, or wash; in the New Testament, it symbolizes union with Christ, initiation into the community of faith, and identification with the work of the Spirit.
This promise from Jesus directly recalls John the Baptist's own ministry and prophecy, highlighting a pivotal transition from water baptism for repentance to the empowering baptism of the Holy Spirit that would launch the early Church.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the Judean wilderness, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. His ministry points forward to the coming of Jesus.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins his ministry, calling disciples and performing miracles. Some of his early disciples may have also been followers of John the Baptist.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Ascension
After his resurrection, Jesus instructs his disciples not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father – the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
c. AD 30
The Day of Pentecost
Ten days after Jesus' ascension, the promised Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles in a dramatic way, empowering them to preach the gospel with boldness.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' words here, as John the Baptist prophesied that the coming Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire, contrasting it with his own water baptism.
John 1:33This verse records John the Baptist's own testimony about Jesus, stating that the one who sent him to baptize with water would also baptize with the Holy Spirit, reinforcing the fulfillment promised in Acts.
Acts 2:1-4This is the direct fulfillment of Jesus' promise in Acts 1:5, where the apostles were powerfully immersed and empowered by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 11:16Peter explicitly recalls Jesus' words from Acts 1:5 when explaining the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, showing the enduring significance of this promise beyond the initial apostles.
cambridgeActs 1:5: "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
5 . ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost ] Thus was now to be fulfilled that of which John the Baptist had spoken ( Matthew 3:11 ), “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Such an event, when it came to pass, could not fail to work mightily on the minds of those among Christ’s Apostles who had been disciples of John, as Andrew had been ( John 1:40 ), and probab…
barnesActs 1:5: "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
For John truly baptized ... - These are the words of Jesus to his apostles, and he evidently has reference to what was said of John's baptism compared with his own in Matthew 3:11 ; John 1:33 . In those verses John is represented as baptizing with water, but the Messiah who was to come, as baptizing with the Holy Spirit and with fire. This promise was now about to be fulfilled in a…
Jesus is highlighting the radical difference between John's baptism and His own coming work. While John's baptism with water was a preparatory sign, Jesus' baptism with the Holy Spirit would immerse believers in the very power and presence of God, fundamentally transforming them. This wasn't just another ritual, but an internal, powerful impartation that would equip them for everything that lay ahead.
Jesus is speaking to his apostles, just before his ascension, reminding them of John the Baptist's prophecy that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This promise is about to be fulfilled, signifying a new era of God's presence and power that far surpasses John's water baptism. The disciples are being prepared for the coming empowerment that will enable them to carry out their mission.
Jesus is speaking to his apostles, just before his ascension, reminding them of John the Baptist's prophecy that the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This promise is about to be fulfilled, signifying a new era of God's presence and power that far surpasses John's water baptism. The disciples are being prepared for the coming empowerment that will enable them to carry out their mission.
"for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”" — Jesus is highlighting the radical difference between John's baptism and His own coming work. While John's baptism with water was a preparatory sign, Jesus' baptism with the Holy Spirit would immerse…
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Last reviewed October 2026