Acts 1:5
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
American King James Version (AKJV)
For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
American Standard Version (ASV)
For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
For the baptism of John was with water, but you will have baptism with the Holy Spirit, after a little time.
Webster's Revision
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
World English Bible
For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
English Revised Version (ERV)
For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Clarke's Acts 1:5 Bible Commentary
Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence - This must refer to some conversation that is not distinctly related by the evangelists; as these identical words do not occur in any of the preceding histories. The Codex Bezae reads this passage thus: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, which ye shall receive not many days hence. John baptized with water, which was a sign of penitence, in reference to the remission of sin; but Christ baptizes with the Holy Ghost, for the destruction of sin, the illumination of the mind, and the consolation of the heart. John's baptism was in reference to the spiritual kingdom; but Christ's baptism established and maintained that kingdom. From this passage we may also learn that baptism does not always mean being plunged or immersed in water; for as this promise most evidently refers to the communication of the Holy Spirit on the following pentecost, and then he sat upon each as a cloven tongue of fire, this certainly has more affinity to sprinkling than to plunging. However, the mode of administering the sign is of very little consequence; and which is the best mode is exceedingly dubious: the stress should be laid on receiving the thing signified - the Holy Ghost, to illuminate, regenerate, refine, and purify the heart. With this, sprinkling or immersion are equally efficient: without this, both are worth nothing.
Barnes's Acts 1:5 Bible Commentary
For John truly baptized ... - These are the words of Jesus to his apostles, and he evidently has reference to what was said of John's baptism compared with his own in Matthew 3:11; John 1:33. In those verses John is represented as baptizing with water, but the Messiah who was to come, as baptizing with the Holy Spirit and with fire. This promise was now about to be fulfilled in a remarkable manner. See Acts 2.
Not many days hence - This was probably spoken not long before his ascension, and of course not many days before the day of Pentecost.
Wesley's Acts 1:5 Bible Commentary
1:5 Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost - And so are all true believers to the end of the world. But the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost also are here promised.