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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_19:8-10
8And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Act_19:8 "he entered the synagogue" This was his standard pattern (cf. Act_9:20; Act_13:5; Act_13:14; Act_14:1; Act_17:2; Act_17:10; Act_18:4; Act_18:19; Act_18:26).
▣ "speaking out boldly" This is a perfect middle indicative. It was one of the results of being "Spirit filled" (cf. Act_4:13; Act_4:29; Act_4:31; Act_9:28-29; Act_14:3; Act_18:26). Paul prays for this very thing in Eph_6:19.
▣ "three months" This synagogue at Ephesus apparently allowed Paul to preach, teach, and reason with them for many Sabbaths. This in itself shows a degree of openness to the gospel and is a tribute to Paul's God-given abilities.
▣ "the kingdom of God" This is the central theme of Jesus' preaching. It refers to the reign of God in human lives now that will one day will be consummated over all the earth, as it is in heaven (cf. Mat_6:10). See Special Topic at Act_1:3.
Act_19:9 "some were becoming hardened and disobedient" All who hear the gospel have a choice (cf. Act_17:32; Act_17:34). This reflects the parable of the sower (cf. Matthew 13; Mark 4). It is the mystery of the iniquity (cf. 2Co_4:4).
The term "hardened" (sklçrunô) is an imperfect passive indicative (disobedient is an Imperfect active indicative), which implies the beginning of an action or a repeated action in past time. This is the very word used in Rom_9:18 to describe God's hardening of Israel's heart and also the repeated verb in Hebrews 3, 4 (cf. Act_3:8; Act_3:13; Act_3:15; Act_4:7) dealing with Israel's hardness of heart during the Wilderness Wandering Period. God does not actively harden the hearts of humans whom He loves and are made in His image, but He does allow human rebellion to manifest itself (cf. Rom_1:24; Rom_1:26; Rom_1:28) and personal evil to influence His created ones (cf. Eph_2:1-3; Eph_4:14; Eph_6:10-18).
▣ "speaking evil of the Way before the people" The gospel is so radically different from the exclusivism and performance-oriented mind set of Judaism that there was no common ground possible if the basic tenets of the gospel were rejected.
Luke's recurrent pattern of aggressive Jewish opposition to the gospel continues (cf. Act_13:46-48; Act_18:5-7; Act_19:8-10; Act_28:23-28).
▣ "the Way" See the notes at Act_18:25; Act_19:23.
▣ "the school of Tyrannus" The codex Bezae, D, from the fifth century, adds that Paul taught from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., when most of the city had a rest period and the building was available. This may be an item of oral tradition. Paul would work at his trade during regular business hours and then teach during the rest period (cf. Act_20:34).
There have been several theories as to the identification of Tyrannus.
1. He was a sophist mentioned by Suidas. Suidas wrote in the tenth century, but used reputable sources back to classical times. His literary work is like an encyclopedia of political, literary, and ecclesiastical persons.
2. He was a Jewish rabbi (Meyer) who operated a private school for teaching the law of Moses, but there is no textual evidence for this position.
3. This was a building which was originally a gymnasium but later a lecture hall owned by or named after Tyrannus.
Paul had to leave the synagogue and apparently there were too many converts to use a house, so he rented a lecture hall. This allowed him some contact with the population of Ephesus.
Act_19:10 "two years" In Act_20:31 Paul states the length of his entire time in the province (three years).
▣ "all who lived in Asia heard" This is an obvious hyperbole. Jesus often spoke in overstatements. It is simply part of the idiomatic nature of eastern literature.
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