Acts 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.

And {G2532} a vision {G3705} appeared {G3700} to Paul {G3972} in {G1223} the night {G3571}; There stood {G2258}{G2476} a man {G5100}{G435} of Macedonia {G3110}, and prayed {G3870} him {G846},{G2532} saying {G3004}, Come over {G1224} into {G1519} Macedonia {G3109}, and help {G997} us {G2254}.

There a vision appeared to Sha’ul at night. A man from Macedonia was standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

Commentary

Acts 16:9 marks a pivotal moment in the early spread of Christianity, dramatically shifting the direction of Paul's second missionary journey and opening the door for the Gospel to enter Europe.

Context

Having traveled through various regions of Asia Minor, including Phrygia and Galatia, the Apostle Paul and his companions (Silas, Timothy, and Luke, the author of Acts) found their attempts to preach the word in Asia and Bithynia providentially blocked by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6, Acts 16:7). They eventually arrived in Troas, a port city. It was here, during the night, that Paul received a clear divine directive that would alter the course of missions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance: The vision demonstrates God's active involvement in directing His servants. Paul, despite his own plans, was led by supernatural means to the precise location God intended for the next phase of the Gospel's expansion. This highlights the importance of seeking and submitting to divine leading in ministry and life.
  • The Macedonian Call: The plea from "a man of Macedonia" was a direct, urgent invitation to bring the message of salvation to a new continent. This iconic request, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us," represents the spiritual need of people across geographical and cultural boundaries.
  • Opening to Europe: This vision served as the divine authorization for Paul and his team to cross the Aegean Sea, initiating the spread of Christianity into Europe. This journey would lead to the establishment of the first churches on European soil, beginning with the church in Philippi, a significant city in Macedonia (Acts 16:12).

Linguistic Insights

The term "vision" (Greek: horama) refers to a supernatural appearance or revelation, distinguishing it from a mere dream. The phrase "prayed him" (Greek: parakaleo) signifies a strong entreaty or earnest appeal, emphasizing the urgency of the man's request for help. This was not a casual invitation but a desperate plea for spiritual intervention.

Practical Application

Acts 16:9 encourages believers today to be attentive to God's guidance, whether through direct revelation, open doors, or the needs of others. Just as Paul responded promptly to the Macedonian call (Acts 16:10), we are called to discern and act upon opportunities to share the Gospel and meet genuine needs, recognizing that God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. The verse reminds us that God's plan often unfolds in unexpected ways, leading us beyond our comfort zones to new territories for His glory.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 9:10

    ¶ And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord.

  • Acts 9:12

    And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting [his] hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

  • Acts 19:21

    ¶ After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

  • Acts 18:5

    And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews [that] Jesus [was] Christ.

  • Romans 15:26

    For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

  • Acts 18:9

    Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

  • Acts 18:10

    For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
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