But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Acts 19:9-10

We are considering the fact that the Bible employs figures of speech, and that if we interpret them literally, instead of as figures of speech, we will misinterpret the Bible. The case in point is the use of the word “all.” Does Acts 19:10 really mean that every human being in Asia heard the gospel? No. It means that the message of Christ and the gospel spread widely throughout Asia. (And by the way, “Asia” in that day didn’t mean the entire continent of Asia as we think of it today, but “Asia Minor,” or modern Turkey.)

I promised examples of three ways the word all can mean three different things.

First, in Romans 3:23 we read, “all have sinned.” This is the universal “all.” How do we know that? Because the verses following that “all” describe all as absolutely universal—in no uncertain terms.

Second, in Luke 2:1 we read, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” This is an example of how all can mean all of a particular group, but not all universally. In this case the word “all” here means, “everyone in the Roman Empire,” not every single individual in the world. (People from other parts of the world were not included.)

Third, as for “all” in a virtual or hyperbolic sense, our text in Acts 19:10 is a perfect example. All Asia doesn’t mean every human being in Asia. In this case “all” means “very widely.”

And how do we know which way “all” is being used? (1) Context. (2) Common sense.
Let us read and interpret the Bible wisely and accurately.