16:18 16:18

Acts 16:19

16:20 16:20

Bible Versions

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,
And {G1161} when her {G846} masters {G2962} saw {G1492} that {G3754} the hope {G1680} of their {G846} gains {G2039} was gone {G1831}, they caught {G1949} Paul {G3972} and {G2532} Silas {G4609}, and drew {G1670} them into {G1519} the marketplace {G58} unto {G1909} the rulers {G758},
But when her owners saw that what had come out was any further prospect of profit for them, they seized Sha’ul and Sila and dragged them to the market square to face the authorities.
When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,

Context

Acts 16:19 immediately follows Paul's deliverance of a slave girl in Philippi who had a spirit of divination. For many days, she had been following Paul and Silas, proclaiming their identity as servants of the Most High God (Acts 16:17). Annoyed by her persistent declarations, Paul, in the name of Jesus Christ, commanded the spirit to come out of her, and it did so instantly (Acts 16:18). This verse reveals the swift and negative reaction of her "masters" – the people who owned her and profited immensely from her fortune-telling abilities. Their concern was purely economic; the loss of their "gains" (income) prompted them to seize Paul and Silas and drag them to the public square, the agora, to face the city rulers.

Key Themes

  • Conflict of Spiritual Power vs. Worldly Profit: The core tension here is between the liberating power of the Gospel and the selfish pursuit of money. The masters cared nothing for the girl's spiritual or personal freedom, only for the financial exploitation of her spiritual bondage.
  • Opposition to the Gospel: The spread of God's kingdom often disrupts established systems, especially those built on injustice or spiritual deception. This disruption frequently leads to persecution, as seen in the immediate arrest of Paul and Silas. This illustrates a recurring pattern where those who live godly will suffer persecution.
  • Economic Consequences of Spiritual Transformation: The spiritual deliverance of the slave girl had direct economic repercussions for her exploiters, highlighting how genuine spiritual change can challenge and expose worldly systems of greed and control.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hope of their gains" starkly emphasizes the masters' mercenary motivation. The Greek word for "gains" (ergasia) here refers specifically to their business or trade, highlighting that their entire enterprise was based on exploiting the girl. Drawing Paul and Silas "into the marketplace" (Greek: agora) signifies bringing them to the public forum, where legal accusations were typically made and justice (or injustice) was dispensed by the city's magistrates or "rulers" (Greek: archontas).

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the Gospel's impact is not always met with welcome. When the truth of Christ challenges systems of exploitation, injustice, or spiritual darkness, those who profit from such systems will often react with hostility. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Prioritizing spiritual freedom: Valuing the liberation of individuals over any worldly gain or convenience.
  • Expecting opposition: Understanding that proclaiming the Gospel may lead to confrontation with those whose interests are threatened by its message.
  • Discerning motives: Recognizing that resistance to spiritual truth often stems from selfish or economic motives, rather than genuine concern for justice or morality.
The incident sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, including Paul and Silas's imprisonment, the earthquake, and the conversion of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 21:30

    And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

  • Acts 17:6

    And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

  • 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:

  • Acts 18:12

    ¶ And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

  • Acts 18:13

    Saying, This [fellow] persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

  • Acts 8:3

    As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:5

    In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
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