Acts 16:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Complete Jewish Bible:

She kept this up day after day, until Sha’ul, greatly disturbed, turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Yeshua the Messiah, I order you to come out of her!” And the spirit did come out, at that very moment.

Berean Standard Bible:

She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.

American Standard Version:

And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} this^{G5124} did she^{{G4160}{G1909}} many^{G4183} days^{G2250}. But^{G1161} Paul^{G3972}, being grieved^{G1278}, turned^{G1994} and^{G2532} said^{G2036} to the spirit^{G4151}, I command^{G3853} thee^{G4671} in^{G1722} the name^{G3686} of Jesus^{G2424} Christ^{G5547} to come^{G1831} out of^{G575} her^{G846}. And^{G2532} he came out^{G1831} the same^{G846} hour^{G5610}.

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Commentary for Acts 16:18

Acts 16:18 is part of a larger narrative in the Book of Acts, which details the early Christian church's spread and the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. In this particular verse, Paul is in the city of Philippi, where he encounters a slave girl who is possessed by a spirit of divination, which the King James Version describes as a "spirit of Python." This spirit enables her to predict the future, and she follows Paul and his companions, crying out that they are servants of the Most High God who proclaim the way of salvation.

The historical context of this verse is set in the Roman Empire during the first century AD. The city of Philippi was a Roman colony and had a prominent pagan population, with various religious practices and beliefs. The slave girl's possession and her ability to tell fortunes would have been seen as a connection to the spiritual realm, which was highly valued in that culture.

In the text, the phrase "And this did she many days" indicates that the girl had been following Paul and his group for an extended period, likely causing a disturbance and attracting attention. Paul's response is one of exasperation and spiritual authority. He turns to the spirit and commands it to leave the girl "in the name of Jesus Christ." The use of Jesus' name reflects the early Christian belief in the power and authority vested in the name of Christ, which is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament.

The immediate departure of the spirit ("And he came out the same hour") demonstrates the efficacy of Paul's command and the superiority of the Christian God over pagan spirits. This event not only frees the girl from the spirit's control but also serves as a public demonstration of the power of the gospel message that Paul preaches. It underscores themes of spiritual warfare, deliverance, and the triumph of Christianity over other religious systems of the time.

This verse is significant as it illustrates the tension between the emerging Christian faith and the prevailing religious practices of the Roman world. It also highlights the apostolic authority granted to early Christian leaders and the radical transformation that belief in Jesus Christ could bring to individuals and communities.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G5124
   There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τοῦτο
   Transliteration: toûto
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
   
3. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
5. Strong's Number: G4183
   There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πολύς
   Transliteration: polýs
   Pronunciation: pol-oos'
   Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2250
   There are 366 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμέρα
   Transliteration: hēméra
   Pronunciation: hay-mer'-ah
   Description: feminine (with ὥρα implied) of a derivative of (to sit; akin to the base of ἑδραῖος) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):--age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3972
   There are 160 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Παῦλος
   Transliteration: Paûlos
   Pronunciation: pow'-los
   Description: of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1278
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διαπονέω
   Transliteration: diaponéō
   Pronunciation: dee-ap-on-eh'-o
   Description: from διά and a derivative of πόνος; to toil through, i.e. (passively) be worried:--be grieved.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1994
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιστρέφω
   Transliteration: epistréphō
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-stref'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and στρέφω; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally):--come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2036
    There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔπω
    Transliteration: épō
    Pronunciation: ep'-o
    Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
    
12. Strong's Number: G4151
    There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πνεῦμα
    Transliteration: pneûma
    Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
    Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3853
    There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: παραγγέλλω
    Transliteration: parangéllō
    Pronunciation: par-ang-gel'-lo
    Description: from παρά and the base of ἄγγελος; to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin:--(give in) charge, (give) command(-ment), declare.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4671
    There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοί
    Transliteration: soí
    Pronunciation: soy
    Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.
    
15. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
16. Strong's Number: G3686
    There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄνομα
    Transliteration: ónoma
    Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
    Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d).
    
17. Strong's Number: G2424
    There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
    Transliteration: Iēsoûs
    Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
    
18. Strong's Number: G5547
    There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Χριστός
    Transliteration: Christós
    Pronunciation: khris-tos'
    Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.
    
19. Strong's Number: G1831
    There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι
    Transliteration: exérchomai
    Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee
    Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
    
20. Strong's Number: G575
    There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπό
    Transliteration: apó
    Pronunciation: apo'
    Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
    
21. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
22. Strong's Number: G5610
    There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὥρα
    Transliteration: hṓra
    Pronunciation: ho'-rah
    Description: apparently a primary word; an "hour" (literally or figuratively):--day, hour, instant, season, X short, (even-)tide, (high) time.