for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Apollos didn't just prove Jesus was the Messiah; he powerfully refuted the Jews by demonstrating that their own Scriptures pointed directly to Jesus. This highlights that the early Christian message wasn't about introducing entirely new ideas, but about revealing the true meaning of the sacred texts the Jews already held dear.
for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes Apollos, a gifted speaker and teacher, powerfully refuting Jewish objections in Ephesus. He didn't rely on his own cleverness but used the Old Testament Scriptures, which the Jews themselves revered, to demonstrate with irrefutable logic that Jesus was the promised Messiah. This public debate, rooted in shared scripture, highlighted the core of the early Christian message to those who were resistant.
Have you ever noticed how some truths feel more powerful when declared boldly, rather than whispered in a corner? Apollos didn't shy away from confrontation; he embraced it.
The verse highlights Apollos's method: he 'mightily refuted the Jews... publicly.' This wasn't a quiet, behind-the-scenes discussion. It was a robust, public declaration of truth.
Imagine holding the ultimate argument-ender, a truth so solid it can't be shaken. For Apollos, that was the Old Testament, expertly wielded.
The core of Apollos's powerful ministry was his ability to demonstrate, using the Jewish Scriptures, that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah. This wasn't just an assertion; it was a reasoned argument.
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Understand the original words
diakatelenchomai · Greek Verb
To demonstrate, prove, or convince through logical argument or evidence, particularly in debates regarding theological truth.
graphē · Greek Noun
The holy writings of the Old Testament, regarded as inspired by God and providing the foundation for understanding the Messiah.
Christos · Greek Noun
The Anointed One of God, the promised King and Savior of Israel and the world, who fulfills Old Testament prophecy.
Apollos's powerful public ministry in Corinth, grounded in a deep understanding of the Old Testament, exemplifies the early church's bold approach to evangelism. He used the very Scriptures the Jewish leaders held sacred to demonstrate that Jesus was the promised Messiah, a method that proved highly effective and deeply challenging to the status quo.
c. 40-50 AD
Apollos Arrives in Ephesus
The eloquent Jewish Christian Apollos, originally from Alexandria, arrives in Ephesus. He is instructed in the way of the Lord by Priscilla and Aquila, who supplement his knowledge of the Old Testament with their understanding of Jesus's ministry.
c. 50-52 AD— this verse
Apollos Preaches in Corinth
Apollos moves to Corinth, where he powerfully and publicly refutes the Jewish community by demonstrating from their own Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. His ministry there is highly effective, though it unfortunately leads to some divisions among the believers.
c. 53-57 AD
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
During his extended stay in Ephesus on his third missionary journey, Paul hears about Apollos and the situation in Corinth. He writes his first letter to the Corinthians during this period, addressing the divisions and the use of Scripture.
c. 60-62 AD
Apollos Returns to Ephesus
Apollos, encouraged by Paul's friends and perhaps carrying commendation letters from Corinth, returns to Ephesus. Paul expresses a desire for Apollos to return to Corinth again, highlighting their shared ministry.
c. 65 AD
Paul Mentions Apollos and Zenas
Toward the end of his life, Paul mentions Apollos and Zenas, a lawyer, in his letter to Titus. Apollos is noted to be laboring in Crete and has gathered his own disciples, suggesting continued ministry and influence.
This passage shows Jesus himself beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, explaining to his disciples what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself, demonstrating that the Old Testament pointed to him.
Romans 1:2-4Paul explains that the Gospel he preaches was promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, showing that the Christian message was rooted in and validated by the Old Testament writings.
John 5:39Jesus directly tells the Jews to 'search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,' highlighting that the Scriptures themselves are the evidence for his identity.
Acts 2:14-36Peter powerfully uses Old Testament prophecies (like Joel and Psalms) to prove that Jesus, whom the Jews had crucified, was the Messiah and Lord, mirroring Apollos' method.
pooleActs 18:28: "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."
Mightily; with great constancy, perseverance, and enduring of opposition. Showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ; as Acts 17:3 . Some think that Christ ought to be the subject, and Jesus the predicate; and then the sense is, that Christ is our Jesus, or Saviour. The Messiah, that was sent from God, is the Saviour of the world.
clarkeActs 18:28: "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."
He mightily convinced the Jews - Ευτονως διακατηλεγχετο; He vehemently confuted the Jews; and that publicly, not in private conferences, but in his public preaching: showing by the scriptures of the Old Testament, which the Jews received as divinely inspired, that Jesus, who had lately appeared among them, and whom they had crucified, was the Christ, the promised Messiah, and t…
Apollos didn't just prove Jesus was the Messiah; he powerfully refuted the Jews by demonstrating that their own Scriptures pointed directly to Jesus. This highlights that the early Christian message wasn't about introducing entirely new ideas, but about revealing the true meaning of the sacred texts the Jews already held dear.
This verse describes Apollos, a gifted speaker and teacher, powerfully refuting Jewish objections in Ephesus. He didn't rely on his own cleverness but used the Old Testament Scriptures, which the Jews themselves revered, to demonstrate with irrefutable logic that Jesus was the promised Messiah. This public debate, rooted in shared scripture, highlighted the core of the early Christian message to those who were resistant.
This verse describes Apollos, a gifted speaker and teacher, powerfully refuting Jewish objections in Ephesus. He didn't rely on his own cleverness but used the Old Testament Scriptures, which the Jews themselves revered, to demonstrate with irrefutable logic that Jesus was the promised Messiah. This public debate, rooted in shared scripture, highlighted the core of the early Christian message to those who were resistant.
"for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus." — Apollos didn't just prove Jesus was the Messiah; he powerfully refuted the Jews by demonstrating that their own Scriptures pointed directly to Jesus. This highlights that the early Christian messag…
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Last reviewed October 2026