New Testament Commentary - Acts 16

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 16 Paul directed in a vision to preach in Macedonia—He casts an evil spirit out of a woman—He and Silas are imprisoned, and convert the jailor—They admonish all to believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved.
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named ^aTimotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a ^bJewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and ^acircumcised him because of the Jews^a which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.	3a because of the Jews Timothy's mother was a Jew which in the minds of the Jews meant that Timothy was bound by the Jewish law if he was to be so legitmately recognized by them. Also to be easily heard and accepted by them Paul thought it expediant that Timothy be circumcised according to the Law of the Jews to avoid any such distinction against him. It was not required of Timothy as a Christian but was rather a matter of social acceptance among the Jews. And while many converted Jews understood that the Law of Moses and circumcision was fulfilled in Christ, still their Jewish traditions prevailed and they continued their traditional practices and expected it of other Jews also. This was in part the putting of new wine in old bottles which Christ spoke of, that it had casue to 'firmint', that is festure result in contention and on such occasion would be prone to burst the bottle into factions.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the ^adecrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches ^aestablished in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the ^aHoly Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a ^avision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him^a, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.	9^a a man of Macedonia, and prayed him This is not unlike the incident of when Newel K. Whitney prayed for the Prophet Joseph Smith to come to him and Joseph saw in vision Newel so praying and thus he came from New York to Ohio there to see and meet Newel K. Whitney in the Whitney store.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14 ¶ And a certain woman named ^aLydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose ^bheart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and ^aabide there. And she constrained us.
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 ^asoothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, ^aThese men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the ^aspirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 ¶ 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, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to ^abeat them. 23 And when they had laid many ^astripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 ¶ And at ^amidnight Paul and Silas prayed, and ^bsang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the ^adoors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, ^aBelieve on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. 35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being ^aRomans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out ^bprivily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. 40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of ^aLydia and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.