Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 18:25

"This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John:" — Acts 18:25 (ASV)

This man was instructed. The Greek term used means he was catechized. He was instructed, to some degree, in the knowledge of the Christian religion. By whom this was done, we have no information.

In the right way of the Lord. The word way often refers to doctrine (Matthew 21:32). It means here that he had been correctly taught regarding the Messiah, yet his knowledge was imperfect (Acts 18:26). The amount of his knowledge seems to have been:

1. He had correct views of the Messiah to come—views which he had derived from the study of the Old Testament. He was expecting a Saviour that should be humble, obscure, and a sacrifice, in opposition to the prevailing notions of the Jews.

2. He had heard of John, had embraced his doctrine, and probably had been baptized with reference to Him who was to come (Acts 19:4). But it is clear that he had not heard that Jesus was the Messiah. With his correct views regarding the coming of the Messiah, he was endeavoring to instruct and reform his countrymen. He was just in the state of mind to welcome the announcement that the Messiah had come, and to embrace Jesus of Nazareth as the hope of the nation.

Being fervent in the spirit. This means being zealous and ardent.

Taught diligently. He defended his views of the Messiah with zeal and earnestness.

The things of the Lord. These were the doctrines pertaining to the Messiah, as far as he understood them.

Knowing only the baptism of John. Whether he had heard John and been baptized by him has been made a question and cannot now be decided.

It is not necessary, however, to suppose this, as it seems that the knowledge of John's preaching and baptism had been propagated extensively into other nations besides Judea (Acts 19:1–3).

The Messiah was expected about that time. The foreign Jews would be waiting for Him, and the news of John's ministry, doctrine, and success would be rapidly propagated from synagogue to synagogue into the surrounding nations.

John preached repentance and baptized with reference to Him who was to come after him (Acts 19:4); and this doctrine Apollos seems to have embraced.