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.
Read it in contextPaul's Ministry in Philippi
Start reading at Acts 16:1 (Acts 16:1 to Acts 16:40).
The narrative unit begins with Paul's journey into Macedonia and covers the events in Philippi, including Lydia's conversion, the exorcism of a spirit of divination, and the conversion of the Philippian jailer, concluding with Paul's departure from the city.
16:1Then 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:
16:2Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
16:3Him 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.
16:4And 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.
16:5And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
16:6Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
16:7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
16:8And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
16:9And 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.
16:10And 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.
16:11Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
16:12And 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.
16:13And 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.
16:14And 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.
16:15And 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.
16:16And 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:
16:17The 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.
16:18And 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.
16:19And 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,
16:20And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
16:21And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
16:22And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
16:23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
16:24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
16:25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
16:26And 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.
16:27And 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.
16:28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
16:29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
16:30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
16:31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
16:32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
16:33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
16:34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
16:35And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
16:36And 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.
16:37But 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.
16:38And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
16:39And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
16:40And 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.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
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 conversion of Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened to receive the message spoken by Paul. This marks a significant moment in the spread of the gospel into Europe.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His sovereign work in opening the hearts of individuals to receive the gospel message. Lydia, who already worshipped God, was prepared by the Lord to respond to Paul's preaching.
What is the literary style? The literary style of the book of Acts is narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book of Acts was written between approximately A.D. 62 and 64.
When does the event take place? The events described in the book of Acts, including Lydia's conversion, occurred between approximately A.D. 30 and 62. This specific event is part of Paul's second missionary journey.
Where
Where did it happen? This event took place in Philippi, which is described as the chief city of that part of Macedonia and a Roman colony. Paul and his companions spoke to women by a river side outside the city where prayer was customarily made. Lydia herself was originally from Thyatira.
Where was the author located? The author, Luke, was traditionally located in Rome when writing the book of Acts.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Paul's Ministry in Philippi (Acts 16:1 to Acts 16:40).
Start reading at Acts 16:1. The narrative unit begins with Paul's journey into Macedonia and covers the events in Philippi, including Lydia's conversion, the exorcism of a spirit of divination, and the conversion of the Philippian jailer, concluding with Paul's departure from the city.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This event marks the first recorded conversion in Europe during Paul's second missionary journey, following the vision Paul received calling him to Macedonia. It demonstrates God's guidance in directing the spread of the gospel and His power to open hearts to receive it. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? The passage states that 'the Lord opened' Lydia's heart so that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. This highlights the divine initiative in salvation, showing that it is the Lord who enables individuals to understand and respond to the gospel message concerning Jesus Christ, whom Paul preached. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage encourages believers to faithfully share the gospel, knowing that God is sovereign in preparing and opening hearts to receive His word. It reminds us that conversion is ultimately God's work, and we should pray for the Lord to open the hearts of those who hear the message. interpretation
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
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.
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 16
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.
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.
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
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.
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.
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.
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
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.