Chapter 16

16:7  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

suffered

R.V. adds "of Jesus", as in the best authorities.

16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

prayed him

beseeching him. Here the Gospel turns toward Europe.

16:10  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

we

The change here from "they," as in the preceding verses, to "we" indicates that at Troas Luke, the narrator, joined Paul's company.

16:12  And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

colony

i.e. a Roman colony.

16:13  And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

was wont

might legally, i.e. a legal meeting-place for Jews where there was no synagogue.

16:16  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

spirit

(Greek - A ," "a Python)."

16:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

most high God (See Scofield "Matthew 7:22") . This marks the "spirit", Acts 16:18, as being a demon.

salvation See note, (See Scofield "Romans 1:16") .

16:19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

drew

(Greek - A ," probably by the feet). Cf. Acts 14:19 .

16:20  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

magistrates

(Greek - A ," Roman magistrates).

16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

prayed

Lit. were praying and singing hymns.

16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

saved

(See Scofield "Romans 1:16") .

16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

saved

(See Scofield "Romans 1:16") .

16:35  And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

serjeants

(Greek - A )."