Acts 21:9

KJV

And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the same man {G5129} had {G2258} four {G5064} daughters {G2364}, virgins {G3933}, which did prophesy {G4395}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He had four unmarried daughters with the gift of prophecy.

Berean Standard Bible

He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

American Standard Version

Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 21:9 introduces Philip the evangelist's four daughters, notable for their marital status as virgins and, more significantly, for their spiritual gift of prophecy. This brief but profound statement offers a crucial glimpse into the active and Spirit-empowered participation of women in the early Christian community, affirming the widespread outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all believers, regardless of gender, as foretold by the prophet Joel and proclaimed by Peter on the Day of Pentecost.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 21:9 is situated within the narrative of Paul's final journey to Jerusalem, a journey fraught with prophetic warnings of suffering. Having sailed from Miletus, Paul and his companions landed at Tyre, where disciples warned him not to go to Jerusalem ([Acts 21:4](/acts/21-4 "Acts 21:4 - Disciples Warn Paul")). After a brief stay, they continued to Ptolemais and then to Caesarea, where they "entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him" ([Acts 21:8](/acts/21-8 "Acts 21:8 - Paul Stays with Philip")). This verse immediately follows the introduction of Philip, one of the original seven chosen to serve the church in Jerusalem ([Acts 6:5](/acts/6-5 "Acts 6:5 - Selection of the Seven")), and a prominent figure in the early spread of the gospel, particularly in Samaria ([Acts 8:5-8](/acts/8-5-8 "Acts 8:5-8 - Philip's Ministry in Samaria")). The mention of his daughters highlights the spiritual vitality of Philip's household, providing a domestic backdrop to the larger, unfolding narrative of Paul's mission and impending arrest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, women's roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere, with public participation often limited. Within Jewish society, while women held significant roles in the home and religious life, public leadership, especially in teaching or prophetic capacities, was predominantly male. However, the advent of Christianity, empowered by the Holy Spirit, began to challenge and transform these societal norms. The Day of Pentecost, as described in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"), marked a radical shift, with the Spirit being poured out on "all flesh," including "your sons and your daughters" who "shall prophesy" ([Acts 2:17-18](/acts/2-17-18 "Acts 2:17-18 - Joel's Prophecy Fulfilled")). This event fundamentally reconfigured the boundaries of spiritual empowerment and participation. Philip's daughters, living in Caesarea, a significant Roman port city with a diverse population, exemplify this new reality where the Spirit's gifts transcended traditional gender roles and cultural expectations.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 21:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **empowerment of the Holy Spirit**, demonstrating that the Spirit's gifts, particularly prophecy, were distributed without gender bias, fulfilling the prophecy of Joel reiterated by Peter in [Acts 2:17-18](/acts/2-17-18 "Acts 2:17-18 - Joel's Prophecy Fulfilled"). Secondly, it highlights the **active participation of women in early Christian ministry**, providing a concrete example of women exercising spiritual authority and public speaking roles, challenging later interpretations that might restrict such roles. Thirdly, the verse subtly emphasizes the **importance of the Christian household** as a center for spiritual formation and ministry, where faith is not merely private but publicly expressed and cultivated among family members. Finally, it reinforces the theme of the **expansion of the gospel**, showing how the Spirit's work permeated not just public assemblies but also private homes, preparing believers for the challenges ahead, such as Paul's impending suffering in Jerusalem ([Acts 21:10-14](/acts/21-10-14 "Acts 21:10-14 - Agabus's Prophecy to Paul")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **daughters (Greek, _thygátēr'_):** This term, while primarily meaning a female child, can also denote a descendant or inhabitant, particularly in a Hebraistic sense. Here, it simply refers to Philip's biological female offspring. The significance lies not in their familial relation but in what is subsequently stated about them, setting the stage for the remarkable revelation of their spiritual gifting.
* **virgins (Greek, _parthénos'_):** This word specifically denotes an unmarried maiden. The inclusion of this detail is noteworthy. It might emphasize their dedication to God's service, suggesting a lifestyle unencumbered by marital responsibilities, allowing for greater devotion to their prophetic ministry. It could also underscore their purity and moral standing, which would have been important for their credibility as prophets in a society that valued female chastity.
* **prophesy (Greek, _prophēteúō'_):** Derived from _prophētēs_ (prophet), this verb means "to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, or exercise the prophetic office." In the New Testament, prophecy is broadly understood as speaking forth the inspired word of God, which can include foretelling the future but more commonly involves exhortation, edification, comfort, or revelation for the church ([1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Purpose of Prophecy")). The imperfect tense of the verb implies an ongoing or habitual activity, indicating that their prophesying was not a one-time event but a regular practice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the same man had four daughters":** This clause introduces the subjects of the verse, linking them directly to Philip, the evangelist mentioned in the preceding verse. The number "four" adds a specific detail, emphasizing that this was not an isolated instance but a consistent characteristic within Philip's household, suggesting a home environment conducive to spiritual giftedness.
* **"virgins":** This descriptive adjective provides insight into the marital status of Philip's daughters. As discussed in the key word analysis, this detail might highlight their dedication to ministry or their moral uprightness, adding weight to their prophetic office. It also implicitly contrasts with the societal expectation of marriage for women, suggesting a devotion that transcended conventional paths.
* **"which did prophesy":** This is the central and most significant assertion of the verse. It unequivocally states that these four unmarried women exercised the spiritual gift of prophecy. The imperfect tense ("did prophesy") indicates that this was an ongoing or habitual activity, not a singular event. This detail provides powerful evidence for the active and public spiritual roles of women in the early church, directly fulfilling the prophecy of Joel concerning the outpouring of the Spirit on "sons and daughters" ([Acts 2:17-18](/acts/2-17-18 "Acts 2:17-18 - Joel's Prophecy Fulfilled")).

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Acts 21:9 is **Direct Statement**, which presents a factual assertion without embellishment, lending straightforward credibility to the account. The simple, declarative sentence structure emphasizes the truth of the daughters' prophetic activity. There is also an element of **Understatement** or **Conciseness**, as Luke provides this significant detail about women in ministry without extensive commentary or theological exposition, presenting it as a natural and accepted aspect of early Christian life. This brevity, however, amplifies its impact, making the inclusion of this detail all the more powerful in its affirmation of female spiritual leadership. The verse also functions as a form of **Characterization**, not just of Philip's household, but of the Spirit-filled community itself, where gifts are distributed broadly.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 21:9 stands as a pivotal verse in understanding the New Testament's teaching on the Holy Spirit's empowerment and the roles of women in the church. It unequivocally demonstrates that the gift of prophecy, a significant form of inspired communication from God, was active among women in the early Christian community, directly fulfilling the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29, which Peter quoted on the Day of Pentecost ([Acts 2:17-18](/acts/2-17-18 "Acts 2:17-18 - Joel's Prophecy Fulfilled")). This verse challenges any notion that spiritual gifts or public ministry were exclusively male domains in the nascent church, highlighting the radical inclusivity of the Spirit's outpouring. It underscores that God's anointing is not limited by gender, age, or social status, but is freely given to those who believe, enabling them to participate actively in the building up of the body of Christ. The example of Philip's daughters provides a concrete historical precedent for the Spirit-empowered ministry of women throughout church history.

* [Acts 2:17-18](/acts/2-17-18 "Acts 2:17-18 - Joel's Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring")
* [1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - The Purpose of Prophecy")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Equality in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 21:9 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, challenging preconceived notions about spiritual gifts and gender roles within the church. It serves as a powerful reminder that the Holy Spirit empowers all believers—men and women, young and old—to serve God and build up the body of Christ. The example of Philip's daughters encourages us to recognize, affirm, and cultivate spiritual gifts in every member of the community, fostering an environment where all are encouraged to use their God-given abilities for His glory. Furthermore, this verse highlights the importance of the Christian home as a nurturing ground for faith and ministry, suggesting that spiritual vitality is not confined to church buildings but flourishes within families where God's presence is acknowledged and His gifts are celebrated. We are called to be intentional about creating spaces, both corporately and domestically, where the Spirit's work is welcomed and expressed through the diverse gifts of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the example of Philip's daughters challenge or affirm your understanding of women's roles in ministry today?**
* **In what ways can your household become a more intentional space for nurturing spiritual gifts and encouraging participation in God's work?**
* **What spiritual gifts do you believe the Holy Spirit has given you, and how are you actively using them for the edification of the church and the world?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that Philip's daughters "did prophesy"?**

Answer: The Greek word for "prophesy" (G4395, _prophēteúō_) in the New Testament refers to speaking forth an inspired message from God. While it can sometimes involve foretelling the future, its primary meaning is to speak under divine inspiration, often for the purpose of edification, exhortation, or comfort for the community ([1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - The Purpose of Prophecy")). The imperfect tense used here indicates that this was an ongoing or habitual activity for Philip's four daughters, suggesting they regularly exercised this spiritual gift within the early Christian community, likely in gatherings or within their household. This demonstrates that prophecy was a recognized and active gift among women, fulfilling the prophecy in [Joel 2:28-29](/joel/2-28-29 "Joel 2:28-29 - God's Spirit on All Flesh") that God would pour out His Spirit on "your sons and your daughters."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 21:9, while not directly prophetic of Christ, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality of the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which empowered Philip's daughters to prophesy, is a direct consequence of Christ's finished work on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of the Father. Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the "Helper, the Holy Spirit" ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - Promise of the Holy Spirit")), who would empower them to be His witnesses "to the end of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). The Spirit's anointing on Philip's daughters, enabling them to speak God's word, is a tangible manifestation of Christ's ongoing reign and His commitment to equip His church for mission. It demonstrates that in Christ, the old distinctions and barriers are broken down, as "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Equality in Christ")). Thus, the Spirit-empowered ministry of these women is a beautiful testament to the universal access to God's grace and gifts made possible through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, who continually pours out His Spirit on all His people to build up His body until His return ([Ephesians 4:11-13](/ephesians/4-11-13 "Ephesians 4:11-13 - Gifts for the Church's Edification")).

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.

Cross-References

Acts 2:17

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Revelation 2:20

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Joel 2:28

¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Luke 2:36

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Exodus 15:20

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

1 Corinthians 11:4

Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.

1 Corinthians 11:5

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.