FocusGuidance toward Macedonia
Connection to the wholeThe churches are strengthened while the Spirit's direction and the Macedonian vision turn the team's journey toward a new field.
interpretation Acts 16:10
KJVAnd 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.
Read it in context
Paul's Second Missionary Journey: The Call to Macedonia and Ministry in Philippi
Start reading at Acts 16:1 (Acts 16:1 to Acts 16:40).
The passage describes the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey, including the recruitment of Timothy, the divine redirection of their missionary efforts, the call to Macedonia through a vision, and the subsequent ministry in Philippi.
- 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
- 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
- 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
- 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
- 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
- 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
- 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
- 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
- 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.
- 16:10 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.
- 16:11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
- 16:12 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.
- 16:13 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.
- 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
- 16:15 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 abide there. And she constrained us.
- 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:
- 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
- 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
- 16:19 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,
- 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
- 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
- 16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
- 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
- 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
- 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
- 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
- 16:27 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.
- 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
- 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
- 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
- 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
- 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
- 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
- 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
- 16:35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
- 16:36 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.
- 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
- 16:38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
- 16:39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
- 16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 16:1–16:40): Paul and his companions, including Timothy and then the first-person narrator, travel to Macedonia. Lydia's household, a possessed slave girl, officials, and the Philippian jailer's household feature in Philippi. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main event is the immediate decision by Paul and his companions to travel to Macedonia to preach the gospel, based on a divine vision and their understanding that the Lord had called them.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing His specific will for the direction of the gospel's spread, guiding Paul and his companions to Macedonia (Europe) after previously preventing them from preaching in other regions, demonstrating His sovereign control over missionary endeavors.
- What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history, recounting the events of the apostles' missionary journey and the expansion of the early church.
When
- When was it written? The book of Acts was written approximately A.D. 62 to 64.
- When does the event take place? This event takes place during Paul's second missionary journey, likely in the late 40s or early 50s A.D., within the broader period of c. A.D. 30 to 62 for the events of Acts.
Where
- Where did it happen? The vision appeared to Paul in Troas, and the decision to go to Macedonia was made there, from which they then departed for Macedonia.
- Where was the author located? The author (Luke) was physically present in Troas when the decision was made and then traveled with Paul's company to Macedonia. The book itself was traditionally written in Rome.
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Paul's Second Missionary Journey: The Call to Macedonia and Ministry in Philippi (Acts 16:1 to Acts 16:40). Start reading at Acts 16:1. The passage describes the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey, including the recruitment of Timothy, the divine redirection of their missionary efforts, the call to Macedonia through a vision, and the subsequent ministry in Philippi.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This passage marks a significant turning point in the book of Acts and the history of Christianity, as it details the Holy Spirit's direct guidance of the gospel's spread from Asia Minor into Europe, initiating the evangelization of the Western world. interpretation
- How does it point to Christ? The 'Lord' who called them to preach the gospel is Jesus Christ, demonstrating His active and sovereign leadership over the expansion of His church. This vision and subsequent obedience show Christ fulfilling His Great Commission by directing His servants to new territories for the spread of His message of salvation. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? Believers today should seek and obey God's specific guidance in their lives and ministries, being prepared to respond immediately to His call, even if it leads to unexpected or challenging paths, trusting that He will direct their efforts for the spread of the gospel. interpretation
Cited: Acts 16:1, Acts 16:3, Acts 16:6, Acts 16:7, Acts 16:8, Acts 16:9, Acts 16:10
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- immediately Acts 10:29 Acts 26:13 Ps 119:60 Prov 3:27-28 2 Cor 2:12-13
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 16
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
Lydia's household
Acts 16:11–15FocusHearing and baptism
Connection to the wholeLydia's response to the preaching and her household's baptism establish a place of hospitality for the mission in Philippi.
interpretation Deliverance leads to imprisonment
Acts 16:16–24FocusOpposition tied to profit
Connection to the wholeA girl's deliverance removes her masters' income, leading to public accusation, beating, and imprisonment of Paul and Silas.
interpretation The jailer and the release
Acts 16:25–40FocusThe word received in crisis
Connection to the wholeThe prison events lead the jailer to ask about salvation; the word is spoken to his household and baptism follows before the missionaries' departure.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The promised power and the Jerusalem church
Acts 1:1–2:47FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation Witness and opposition in Jerusalem
Acts 3:1–7:60FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation The witness moves outward
Acts 8:1–12:25FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation Mission and the Gentile question
Acts 13:1–15:35FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation Arrest, hearings, and Rome
Acts 21:17–28:31FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.