In Acts 19:5, these same disciples are baptized after Paul's teaching — showing their immediate response to learning about the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 promises the Holy Spirit after repentance and baptism — precisely what these disciples had not yet received, showing their incomplete initiation.

Acts 8:15-17 parallels this scene — believers baptized but lacking the Spirit, receiving it through apostolic prayer and laying on of hands.

Acts 8:16 describes a similar case: believers baptized but not yet having received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 11:16 recalls the promise of Spirit baptism vs John's water baptism — these disciples only had the latter.

Acts 2:17 records the prophecy of the Spirit's outpouring — these disciples had not even heard of that promise, highlighting their surprising ignorance.

Acts 10:44 shows the Spirit falling spontaneously on Cornelius's household — a different pattern from these disciples who needed instruction about the Spirit.

Acts 11:15-17 recounts that God gave the same Holy Spirit to Gentiles — these disciples were initially missing that same gift given to all believers.

Acts 2:39 extends the promise of the Spirit to all who are far off — these Ephesian disciples are among those called, yet unaware of it.

In John 7:39, the Spirit had not yet been given — explaining why these disciples had not heard of him.

Galatians 3:2 directly echoes Paul's question: 'Did you receive the Spirit by works or by hearing with faith?'

John 1:33 prophesied Jesus would baptize with the Spirit — these disciples only knew John's water baptism.

John 20:22 records Jesus imparting the Spirit to the disciples — a gift these Ephesians had not received.