Acts 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:

And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096}, as we {G2257} went {G4198} to {G1519} prayer {G4335}, a certain {G5100} damsel {G3814} possessed {G2192} with a spirit {G4151} of divination {G4436} met {G528} us {G2254}, which {G3748} brought {G3930} her {G846} masters {G2962} much {G4183} gain {G2039} by soothsaying {G3132}:

Once, when we were going to the place where the minyan gathered, we were met by a slave girl who had in her a snake-spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes.

One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling.

And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.

Acts 16:16 introduces a pivotal encounter during Paul's second missionary journey, specifically in the Roman colony of Philippi. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic spiritual confrontation, revealing the nature of the opposition faced by the early church.

Context

The apostle Paul, accompanied by Silas, Timothy, and Luke (the author of Acts, who joins them here), had recently arrived in Philippi, a significant city in Macedonia. After the conversion of Lydia, a prominent businesswoman (Acts 16:14), the missionary team was establishing a presence. As they "went to prayer," likely to a riverside gathering place outside the city where Jewish worshippers met (Acts 16:13), they encountered a young enslaved woman who would dramatically impact their ministry there.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Conflict: This verse immediately highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. The mission of the gospel is not just a human endeavor but a direct challenge to the forces of darkness. The "spirit of divination" represents a demonic power opposing God's work.
  • Demonic Influence and Deception: The damsel's ability to "soothsay" was not from God but from a malevolent spirit. This illustrates how demonic entities can mimic spiritual gifts or provide supernatural information for deceptive purposes.
  • Exploitation and Injustice: The verse explicitly states that the damsel "brought her masters much gain by soothsaying." This underscores the cruel reality of slavery and how individuals, particularly vulnerable ones, were exploited for financial profit through their perceived spiritual abilities.
  • The Gospel's Confrontation with Paganism: In a Roman city like Philippi, various forms of pagan worship and divination were common. This encounter demonstrates the direct clash between the truth of the gospel and prevalent idolatrous practices, revealing the superior power of Christ over all other spirits.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "spirit of divination" translates the Greek pneuma pythōna (πνεῦμα πύθωνα). The word pythōn refers to the mythical serpent or dragon killed by Apollo at Delphi, whose spirit was believed to inspire the Pythian priestess of the famous Oracle of Delphi. Thus, this was not merely a 'fortune-telling' ability but a specific, recognized demonic power associated with pagan prophecy in the Greco-Roman world. The term manteuomai (μαντεύομαι), translated "soothsaying," specifically refers to divination or foretelling the future through pagan or demonic means, distinguishing it from true prophecy inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Practical Application and Significance

Acts 16:16 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Discernment is Crucial: Not all supernatural phenomena originate from God. This passage calls us to exercise discernment, testing spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1).
  • The Gospel Liberates: The subsequent narrative (Acts 16:18) shows Paul casting out the spirit, highlighting the liberating power of Jesus Christ over spiritual bondage and oppression. This foreshadows the broader work of the gospel to free individuals from all forms of spiritual and even social chains.
  • Prayer is Essential: The encounter happened "as we went to prayer," emphasizing the importance of prayer in spiritual warfare and ministry. It is through prayer and reliance on God that believers can effectively confront and overcome spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:18).
  • Challenging Injustice: The verse also implicitly challenges the exploitation of vulnerable people. As followers of Christ, we are called to stand against injustice and advocate for those who are oppressed.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 19:31

    Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Deuteronomy 18:9

    ¶ When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

  • Deuteronomy 18:11

    Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

  • Isaiah 8:19

    And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

  • 1 Chronicles 10:13

    So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, [even] against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking [counsel] of [one that had] a familiar spirit, to enquire [of it];

  • 1 Samuel 28:7

    ¶ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, [there is] a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

  • Galatians 5:20

    Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
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