For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

ACTS 1:5KJV
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Acts 1:5 (KJV)

What does Acts 1:5 mean?

Acts 1:5 records Jesus telling his disciples that, although John baptized people with water, they themselves would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is pointing to a new kind of spiritual experience that would happen to them in just a few days.

Jesus is speaking to his closest followers after his resurrection, just before he leaves them and returns to heaven. He reminds them of John the Baptist’s ministry, which used water as a symbol, but promises that soon they will receive the Holy Spirit in a direct and powerful way. This sets the stage for the coming events at Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit will come upon them.

The Greek behind Acts 1:5

  • "βαπτίζω" (baptizō): This word means "to immerse" or "to baptize." In this verse, it is used both for John's water baptism and for the coming baptism with the Holy Spirit, highlighting a shift from a physical act to a spiritual experience.
  • "ἐν ὕδατι" (en hydati): "With water" or "in water." This phrase makes clear that John's baptism was a physical, outward act.
  • "ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ" (en pneumati hagiō): "With the Holy Spirit." This phrase means being immersed or filled with God's Spirit, marking a new kind of relationship with God that goes beyond ritual.
  • "οὐ μετὰ πολλὰς ταύτας ἡμέρας" (ou meta pollas tautas hēmeras): "Not many days hence." This phrase emphasizes that the promised event is coming very soon, not at some distant time.

Why Acts 1:5 matters

  • Acts 1:5 clarifies that Jesus saw a difference between John’s water baptism and the coming baptism with the Holy Spirit, showing that something new was about to happen for his followers.
  • This verse connects the ministry of John the Baptist to the beginning of the church, showing continuity but also a clear step forward in God’s plan.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the dramatic events of Pentecost in Acts 2, where the disciples experience the baptism with the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised here.

Where else these words appear

“hence” Greek G5025 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
  • Luke 13:14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
  • Acts 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

“baptized” Greek G907 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
  • Luke 7:29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
  • Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

“water” Greek G5204 · used in 70 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
  • James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

“John” Greek G2491 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
  • John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.