Acts 16

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

1Paul and Silas came to the city of Derbe and then went on to Lystra, # 16:1 Lystra is modern-day Klistra, a city in Turkey. Derbe, also in Turkey, was about sixty miles from Klistra (Lystra). the hometown of a believer named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish follower of Jesus, but his father was not a Jew. # 16:1 The Aramaic is “his father was a Syrian” (an Aramaic speaker). In the time of Paul’s missionary journeys, the Aramaic language was commonly spoken in the region he traveled throughout in the Middle East. The Greek is “his father was a Greek.” 2Timothy was well known and highly respected among all the believers of Lystra and Iconium. 3Paul recognized God’s favor on Timothy’s life and wanted him to accompany them in ministry, but Paul had Timothy circumcised first because of the significant Jewish community living in the region, and everyone knew that Timothy’s father wasn’t a Jew.

4They went out together as missionaries, traveling to different cities where they preached and informed the churches of the decrees of the apostolic council of Jerusalem for the non-Jewish converts to observe. 5All the churches were growing daily and were encouraged and strengthened in their faith.

Paul’s Vision of the Man from Macedonia

6The Holy Spirit had forbidden Paul and his partners to preach the word in the southwestern provinces of Turkey, # 16:6 Or “Asia.” This does not refer to the continent of Asia as we know it today, but to the far western and southwestern provinces of Asia Minor (Turkey). so they ministered throughout the region of central and west-central Turkey. # 16:6 Or “Phrygia” and “Galatia.” The modern-day capital of Turkey, Ankara, is situated in the area known as Galatia. 7When they got as far west as the borders of Mysia, they repeatedly attempted to go north into the province of Bithynia, # 16:7 Both Mysia and Bithynia are northwestern regions of Turkey. but again the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to enter. # 16:7 We do not know how the Holy Spirit kept them from going into Bithynia, but it could have been through a warning given by means of a dream or vision. In any case, it is obvious the Holy Spirit was guiding his missionaries. He is the Lord of the harvest who prepares, imparts gifts, anoints, and sends out his servants to gather the nations to Jesus Christ. The book of Acts is best understood as the book of Activities of the Holy Spirit. Here he is designated “the Spirit of Jesus.” True and lasting fruit in ministry comes through the work and leading of the Spirit of Jesus. 8So instead they went right on through the province of Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

9While staying there Paul experienced a supernatural, ecstatic vision during the night. A man from Macedonia appeared before him, pleading with him, “You must come across the sea to Macedonia and help us!”

10After Paul had this vision, we # 16:10 Apparently, Luke now joins the missionary team going to Macedonia (which includes parts of modern-day Bulgaria and former Yugoslavia). This is the first instance in Acts of the gospel going to Europe. Luke likely left the group later, as he is not included in the team starting in v. 40. Portions of Acts appear to be Luke’s missionary travel journal. immediately prepared to cross over to Macedonia, convinced that God himself was calling us to go and preach the wonderful news of the gospel to them.

Paul Arrives at Philippi

11From Troas we sailed a straight course to the island of Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis. 12Finally we reached Philippi, a major city # 16:12 The Aramaic is “the capital city.” in the Roman colony of Macedonia, and we remained there for a number of days. # 16:12 The Aramaic can be translated “In a matter of days we were well known in the city.” Other versions of the Aramaic read “We were there over certain holy days.”

13When the Sabbath day came, we went outside the gates of the city to the nearby river, for there appeared to be a house of prayer and worship there. # 16:13 Although implied in the Greek text, it is made explicit in the Aramaic, “We saw it was a house [place] of prayer.” Sitting on the riverbank we struck up a conversation with some of the women who had gathered there. 14One of them was Lydia, a businesswoman from the city of Thyatira who was a dealer of exquisite purple cloth # 16:14 Or “purple dye,” a rare commodity that would only be purchased by the wealthy. and a Jewish convert. While Paul shared the good news with her, God opened her heart to receive Paul’s message. # 16:14 Or “feared [worshiped] God.” The implication is that Lydia was a gentile convert to Judaism. 15She devoted herself to the Lord, and we baptized her and her entire family. Afterward she urged us to stay in her home, saying, “Since I am now a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” So we were persuaded to stay there.

The Python Spirit

16One day, as we were going to the house of prayer, we encountered a young slave girl who had an evil spirit of divination, the spirit of Python. # 16:16 In the religious context of Greek mythology, she was an “oracle,” a medium who had the spirit of the gods speaking through her to foretell the future. The Python spirit was the epithet of Apollo, known as the Greek god of prophecy. An individual (often a young virgin) who became the oracle of Apollo was known as the Python, or Pythia. She had earned great profits for her owners by being a fortune-teller.

17She kept following us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Great High God, and they’re telling us how to be saved!”

18Day after day she continued to do this, until Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit indwelling her, “I command you in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to come out of her, now!” At that very moment, the spirit came out of her!

19When her owners realized that their potential of making profit had vanished, they forcefully seized Paul and Silas and dragged them off to the city square to face the authorities.

20When they appeared before the Roman soldiers and magistrates, the slave owners leveled accusations against them, saying, “These Jews are troublemakers. They’re throwing our city into confusion. 21They’re pushing their Jewish religion down our throats. It’s wrong and unlawful for them to promote these Jewish ways, for we are Romans living in a Roman colony.”

22A great crowd gathered, and all the people joined in to come against them. The Roman officials ordered that Paul and Silas be stripped of their garments and beaten with rods on their bare backs.

Miracles Can Come Out of Painful Places

23After they were severely beaten, they were thrown into prison and the jailer was commanded to guard them securely. 24So the jailer placed them in the innermost cell of the prison and had their feet bound and chained. # 16:24 Or “placed in stocks.”

25Paul and Silas, undaunted, prayed in the middle of the night and sang songs of praise to God, while all the other prisoners listened to their worship.

26Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once every prison door flung open and the chains of all the prisoners came loose.

27Startled, the jailer awoke and saw every cell door standing open. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself 28when Paul shouted in the darkness, “Stop! Don’t hurt yourself. We’re all still here.”

29The jailer called for a light. When he saw that they were still in their cells, he rushed in and fell trembling at their feet. 30Then he led Paul and Silas outside and asked, “What must I do to be saved?”

31They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all your family.” # 16:31 The implication is “you and anyone in your household who believes.” 32Then they prophesied the word of the Lord # 16:32 Or “spoke the word of the Lord.” This phrase is consistently used in the Old Testament for prophetic utterance of a supernatural origin. over him and all his family. 33Even though the hour was late, he washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized. He took Paul and Silas into his home and set them at his table and fed them. 34The jailer and all his family were filled with joy in their newfound faith in God.

35At daybreak, the magistrates sent officers to the prison with orders to tell the jailer, “Let those two men go.” 36The jailer informed Paul and Silas, “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. So you’re free to go now.”

37But Paul told the officers, “Look, they had us beaten in public, without a fair trial—and we are Roman citizens. # 16:37 Paul didn’t notify them that he and Silas were Romans prior to their beatings, when they could have escaped persecution. Instead, they endured the brutal treatment and ended up leading their jailer to Christ. Do you think we’re just going to quietly walk away after they threw us in prison and violated all of our rights? Absolutely not! You go back and tell the magistrates that they need to come down here themselves and escort us out!”

38When the officers went back and reported what Paul and Silas had told them, the magistrates were frightened, especially upon hearing that they had beaten two Roman citizens without due process. 39So they went to the prison and apologized to Paul and Silas, begging them repeatedly, saying, “Please leave our city.”

40So Paul and Silas left the prison and went back to Lydia’s house, where they met with the believers and comforted and encouraged them before departing.

Currently Selected:

Acts 16: TPT

Highlight

Copy

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Learn More About The Passion Translation

Acts 16

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

1Paul came to Derbe. Then he went on to Lystra. A believer named Timothy lived there. His mother was Jewish and a believer. His father was a Greek. 2The believers at Lystra and Iconium said good things about Timothy. 3Paul wanted to take him along on the journey. So he circumcised Timothy because of the Jews who lived in that area. They all knew that Timothy’s father was a Greek. 4Paul and his companions traveled from town to town. They reported what the apostles and elders in Jerusalem had decided. The people were supposed to obey what was in the report. 5So the churches were made strong in the faith. The number of believers grew every day.

Paul’s Vision of the Man From Macedonia

6Paul and his companions traveled all through the area of Phrygia and Galatia. The Holy Spirit had kept them from preaching the word in Asia Minor. 7They came to the border of Mysia. From there they tried to enter Bithynia. But the Spirit of Jesus would not let them. 8So they passed by Mysia. Then they went down to Troas. 9During the night Paul had a vision. He saw a man from Macedonia standing and begging him. “Come over to Macedonia!” the man said. “Help us!” 10After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia. We decided that God had called us to preach the good news there.

Lydia Becomes a Believer in Philippi

11At Troas we got into a boat. We sailed straight for Samothrace. The next day we went on to Neapolis. 12From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony. It is an important city in that part of Macedonia. We stayed there several days.

13On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate. We walked down to the river. There we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered together. 14One of the women listening was from the city of Thyatira. Her name was Lydia, and her business was selling purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to accept Paul’s message. 15She and her family were baptized. Then she invited us to her home. “Do you consider me a believer in the Lord?” she asked. “If you do, come and stay at my house.” She succeeded in getting us to go home with her.

Paul and Silas Are Thrown Into Prison

16One day we were going to the place of prayer. On the way we were met by a female slave. She had a spirit that helped her tell people what was going to happen. She earned a lot of money for her owners by doing this. 17She followed Paul and the rest of us around. She shouted, “These men serve the Most High God. They are telling you how to be saved.” 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became upset. Turning around, he spoke to the spirit that was in her. “In the name of Jesus Christ,” he said, “I command you to come out of her!” At that very moment the spirit left the woman.

19Her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone. So they grabbed Paul and Silas. They dragged them into the market place to face the authorities. 20They brought them to the judges. “These men are Jews,” her owners said. “They are making trouble in our city. 21They are suggesting practices that are against Roman law. These are practices we can’t accept or take part in.”

22The crowd joined the attack against Paul and Silas. The judges ordered that Paul and Silas be stripped and beaten with rods. 23They were whipped without mercy. Then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24When he received these orders, he put Paul and Silas deep inside the prison. He fastened their feet so they couldn’t get away.

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying. They were also singing hymns to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was a powerful earthquake. It shook the prison from top to bottom. All at once the prison doors flew open. Everyone’s chains came loose. 27The jailer woke up. He saw that the prison doors were open. He pulled out his sword and was going to kill himself. He thought the prisoners had escaped. 28“Don’t harm yourself!” Paul shouted. “We are all here!”

29The jailer called out for some lights. He rushed in, shaking with fear. He fell down in front of Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them out. He asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus. Then you and everyone living in your house will be saved.” 32They spoke the word of the Lord to him. They also spoke to all the others in his house. 33At that hour of the night, the jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their wounds. Right away he and everyone who lived with him were baptized. 34The jailer brought them into his house. He set a meal in front of them. He and everyone who lived with him were filled with joy. They had become believers in God.

35Early in the morning the judges sent their officers to the jailer. They ordered him, “Let those men go.” 36The jailer told Paul, “The judges have ordered me to set you and Silas free. You can leave now. Go in peace.”

37But Paul replied to the officers. “They beat us in public,” he said. “We weren’t given a trial. And we are Roman citizens! They threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and personally lead us out.”

38The officers reported this to the judges. When the judges heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they became afraid. 39So they came and said they were sorry. They led them out of the prison. Then they asked them to leave the city. 40After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house. There they met with the brothers and sisters. They told them to be brave. Then they left.

Currently Selected:

Highlight

Copy

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®

Learn More About New International Reader’s Version