Acts 18:24 – “Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.”

Extended Explanation

This verse introduces Apollos, a Jewish man from Alexandria who arrived in Ephesus. Apollos was well-educated and had a deep knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures. He was passionate about teaching and had a strong influence in the early church.

The key points about Apollos in this verse are:

1. He was a Jew – Apollos had a Jewish background and would have been familiar with the teachings of the Old Testament.
2. He was from Alexandria – Alexandria was a center of education and philosophy, meaning Apollos had likely received a high level of instruction.
3. He was a learned man – His knowledge wasn’t just basic; he was highly educated.
4. He had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures – He understood the Old Testament deeply, which prepared him to recognize and teach about Jesus, even though his understanding at this point was not yet complete (as seen in Acts 18:25-26).

This verse shows that Apollos was a gifted teacher, but as we’ll see in the next few verses, he still had gaps in his understanding that needed to be corrected. He was sincere, but he needed further instruction in the full gospel of Jesus Christ.

Historical Context

Alexandria, where Apollos came from, was one of the most important cities in the ancient world. It was located in Egypt and was known for its great library and schools of philosophy. Many Jews lived in Alexandria, and it was a center for Jewish scholarship. The Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) was produced there.

Ephesus, where Apollos arrived, was one of the largest cities in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It was a hub of commerce and religion, home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus also had a strong Jewish community, which is likely why Apollos started teaching there.

At this time, Christianity was still spreading, and many people only had partial knowledge of the gospel. Apollos had learned about Jesus, but as the next verses will show, he only knew about the baptism of John and needed further teaching to understand the full message of salvation through Christ.

Theological Implications

1. God uses people with different backgrounds – Apollos was well-educated, while Paul was a tentmaker. God calls people with all kinds of skills to serve Him.
2. A strong knowledge of Scripture is valuable – Apollos had a thorough understanding of the Old Testament, which helped him teach effectively. This shows the importance of knowing God’s Word deeply.
3. Even gifted teachers need further growth – Apollos was smart and passionate, but he still needed to learn more about Jesus. No matter how much we know, there is always room to grow in our faith.

Literary Analysis

Acts 18:24 serves as an introduction to Apollos, setting the stage for his growth and later role in the church.

• “A Jew named Apollos” – The name “Apollos” is Greek, showing that he came from a Hellenistic (Greek-influenced) Jewish background.
• “A native of Alexandria” – This highlights his educational and cultural background, showing why he was well-learned.
• “Came to Ephesus” – This location is significant because Ephesus was a major center of early Christian activity.
• “He was a learned man” – This phrase emphasizes that Apollos was intelligent and educated, not just passionate but also knowledgeable.
• “With a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures” – This suggests that Apollos was well-versed in the Old Testament, which later helped him powerfully explain how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises.

Luke, the author of Acts, presents Apollos as a valuable but developing leader, showing that even great teachers need further guidance and discipleship.

Biblical Cross-References

• Proverbs 1:5 – “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” (Apollos was wise, but he still had more to learn.)
• 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (Apollos was committed to learning and teaching Scripture correctly.)
• Acts 18:25-26 – The next verses show that Apollos only knew John’s baptism and needed further instruction from Priscilla and Aquila.
• 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 – Paul later refers to Apollos as a fellow minister in the church: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. God can use your background for His glory – Apollos came from a place of education and learning, and God used his skills for the gospel. Whatever abilities you have, God can use them too.
2. Passion needs to be paired with truth – Apollos was enthusiastic, but his knowledge was incomplete. This reminds us that zeal for God must be based on correct understanding.
3. Lifelong learning is part of Christian growth – No one knows everything about God’s Word. Even Apollos needed help to understand the full gospel. We should always be willing to learn and grow.
4. Teaching Scripture requires study – Apollos was effective because he knew the Scriptures well. Christians today should also seek to know God’s Word deeply so they can share it with others faithfully.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He patiently teaches and grows His people. Instead of rejecting Apollos because his knowledge was incomplete, God provided faithful believers (Priscilla and Aquila) to teach him more (Acts 18:26).

This shows that God does not expect us to have everything figured out immediately. He lovingly brings people into our lives to help us grow, just as He did for Apollos.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Scriptures Apollos knew – Apollos had deep knowledge of the Old Testament, but Jesus was the One it all pointed to (Luke 24:27).
2. Jesus invites us to grow in understanding – Just as Apollos needed further teaching, Jesus calls His followers to keep learning and growing in their faith (Matthew 11:29).
3. Jesus provides teachers to equip His people – Apollos was gifted but needed guidance. Jesus established the church to teach and equip believers (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Ultimately, Apollos’ story reminds us that no matter how much we know, we all need Jesus to teach us more.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How can you grow in your knowledge of Scripture, like Apollos?
2. Have you ever been passionate about something but later realized you needed to learn more?
3. Why is it important to balance enthusiasm with correct biblical understanding?
4. How has God used others to help you grow in your faith, as Priscilla and Aquila did for Apollos?
5. What steps can you take to become a better student of God’s Word and share it effectively with others?