Acts 19:20 → Exodus 1:7

Luke's summary — "the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail" (Acts 19:20) — echoes the growth-and-multiplication language first applied to Israel in Egypt, who "were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous" (Exodus 1:7), itself rooted in the creation blessing to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). The same vocabulary of fruitful increase now describes the advance of the gospel: the word itself becomes the fruitful, multiplying agent that fills the world. The connection is an echo drawn by analogy, not a type — the growing word is likened to the growing people, both under the Creator's blessing. As Israel's increase set the stage for the exodus, so the word's increase in Ephesus sets the stage for the gospel's march to Rome and the nations, God's harvest gathered through the preached word of Christ.