New International VersionWhen her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.
New Living TranslationHer masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace.
English Standard VersionBut when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
Berean Standard BibleWhen the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
Berean Literal BibleNow her masters having seen that their hope of profit was gone, having taken hold of Paul and Silas, dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
King James BibleAnd 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,
New King James VersionBut when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
New American Standard BibleBut when her masters saw that their hope of profit was suddenly gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities,
NASB 1995But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities,
NASB 1977But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities,
Legacy Standard BibleBut when her masters saw that their hope of profit had left, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities,
Amplified BibleBut when her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the market place [where trials were held],
Christian Standard BibleWhen her owners realized that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
American Standard VersionBut when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,
Contemporary English VersionWhen the girl's owners realized they had lost all chances for making more money, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them into court.
English Revised VersionBut when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them to the authorities in the public square.
Good News TranslationWhen her owners realized that their chance of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them to the authorities in the public square.
International Standard VersionWhen her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities who met together in the public square.
NET BibleBut when her owners saw their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities.
New Heart English BibleBut when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market-place to the rulers,
Weymouth New TestamentBut when her owners saw that their hopes of gain were gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them off to the magistrates in the public square. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
World English BibleBut when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd her masters having seen that the hope of their employment was gone, having caught Paul and Silas, drew [them] into the marketplace, to the rulers,
Berean Literal BibleNow her masters having seen that their hope of profit was gone, having taken hold of Paul and Silas, dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
Young's Literal Translation And her masters having seen that the hope of their employment was gone, having caught Paul and Silas, drew them to the market-place, unto the rulers,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd her lords having seen that the hope of their gain went out, taking Paul and Silas, they drew to the assembly to the rulers, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, apprehending Paul and Silas, brought them into the marketplace to the rulers.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut her masters, seeing that the hope of their profit went away, apprehended Paul and Silas, and they brought them to the rulers at the courthouse.
New American BibleWhen her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them to the public square before the local authorities.
New Revised Standard VersionBut when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when her masters saw that the hope for their business was lost with her power, they seized Paul and Silas and beat them and brought them to the market place.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishWhen her masters saw that the hope of their business had departed from her, they seized Paulus and Shila, and they dragged and brought them to the marketplace. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the market to the rulers.
Godbey New TestamentAnd her masters seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, arresting Paul and Silas, dragged them into the forum to the rulers,
Haweis New TestamentBut when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the forum before the chief rulers,
Mace New Testamenther masters finding they had lost such a prospect of gain, seized upon Paul and Silas, and hawl'd them to the publick place before the magistrates.
Weymouth New TestamentBut when her owners saw that their hopes of gain were gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them off to the magistrates in the public square.
Worrell New TestamentBut her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, laying hold on Paul and Silas, dragged them into the market-place before the rulers;
Worsley New TestamentAnd he came out that instant. And when her masters saw, that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the court to the magistrates.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Paul and Silas Imprisoned… 18She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment. 19Whenthe girl’sownerssawthattheirhopeofmaking moneywas gone,they seizedPaulandSilasand dragged thembeforetheauthoritiesinthemarketplace.20They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil…
Cross References Acts 19:24-27It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen. / Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity. / And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. ...
Acts 17:5-9The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...
Acts 6:12-14So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
Acts 21:30-31The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. / While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.
Acts 19:23About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
Acts 4:1-3While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, / greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. / They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.
Acts 5:17-18Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out / and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
Acts 14:19Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead.
Acts 13:50The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.
Acts 18:12-13While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.
Acts 22:22-23The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!” / As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,
Acts 23:12-15When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...
Acts 24:5-6We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
Acts 25:7When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.
Acts 26:21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.
Treasury of Scripture And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace to the rulers, the hope. Acts 19:24-27 For a certainman named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; … 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. they. Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Acts 14:5,19 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to usethem despitefully, and to stone them, … Acts 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. market-place. Jump to Previous AuthoritiesCaughtDraggedDrewEmploymentFaceGainGainsGirlHoldHopeHopesLaidMagistratesMakingMarketMarketplaceMarket-PlaceMastersMoneyOwnersPaulProfitPublicPullingRealizedRulersSeizedSilasSlaveSquareJump to Next AuthoritiesCaughtDraggedDrewEmploymentFaceGainGainsGirlHoldHopeHopesLaidMagistratesMakingMarketMarketplaceMarket-PlaceMastersMoneyOwnersPaulProfitPublicPullingRealizedRulersSeizedSilasSlaveSquareActs 16 1.Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,7.and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,14.convert Lydia,16.and cast out a spirit of divination;19.for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.25.The prison doors are opened.31.The jailor is converted,35.and they are delivered.When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was goneThis phrase highlights the economic motivations behind the actions of the girl's owners. In the Roman world, slavery was a common practice, and individuals could own slaves who had special abilities, such as the spirit of divination possessed by this girl. The owners' primary concern was financial gain, reflecting a materialistic worldview that often clashed with the teachings of Christianity. The loss of income due to the exorcism performed by Paul underscores the tension between the early Christian mission and the economic interests of the time. This incident also illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel, which disrupts sinful practices and challenges societal norms. they seized Paul and Silas
The act of seizing Paul and Silas demonstrates the hostility and opposition faced by early Christians. This physical apprehension is indicative of the broader persecution that the apostles and early believers often encountered. The Greek term used here implies a forceful and aggressive action, reflecting the anger and desperation of the girl's owners. This event is part of a pattern seen throughout Acts, where the proclamation of the Gospel leads to conflict and suffering for its messengers, echoing Jesus' own prediction that His followers would face persecution (John 15:20). and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace
The marketplace, or agora, was the center of public life in a Roman city, serving as a hub for commerce, social interaction, and legal proceedings. By bringing Paul and Silas to the authorities in this public setting, the accusers sought to leverage the legal system against them, possibly hoping to incite a public outcry. This tactic of using legal and civic structures to suppress the Christian message is seen elsewhere in Acts, such as in the trials of Peter and John (Acts 4) and later Paul himself (Acts 24-26). The involvement of the authorities highlights the intersection of religious and civic life in the Roman Empire and the challenges faced by the early church in navigating these dynamics. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul and SilasEarly Christian missionaries and apostles who were spreading the Gospel in Philippi. 2. Owners of the Slave GirlIndividuals who profited from a slave girl’s ability to predict the future, which was attributed to a spirit of divination. 3. MarketplaceThe public area in Philippi where legal matters and public discussions took place. 4. AuthoritiesThe local magistrates or officials responsible for maintaining order and administering justice in the city. 5. PhilippiA Roman colony in Macedonia, significant for being one of the first places in Europe where Paul established a Christian community. Teaching Points The Cost of DiscipleshipFollowing Christ may lead to opposition and persecution, as seen in the experience of Paul and Silas. Spiritual WarfareThe casting out of the spirit highlights the reality of spiritual battles and the authority believers have in Christ. The Love of MoneyThe owners' reaction underscores the dangers of prioritizing financial gain over righteousness and truth. Public WitnessPaul and Silas's actions in the marketplace demonstrate the importance of maintaining a faithful witness in public spheres. Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite the immediate negative consequences, God used the situation to further His purposes, as seen later in the conversion of the Philippian jailer. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 16:19?
2.How does Acts 16:19 illustrate the consequences of disrupting economic interests for Christ?
3.What can we learn from Acts 16:19 about facing opposition for our faith?
4.How does Acts 16:19 connect with Matthew 5:10 on persecution for righteousness?
5.How should believers respond when societal norms conflict with God's mission, as in Acts 16:19?
6.What practical steps can we take to stand firm in faith despite opposition?
7.Why did the owners of the slave girl react violently in Acts 16:19?
8.How does Acts 16:19 reflect on the value of human life versus profit?
9.What does Acts 16:19 reveal about societal norms in ancient Philippi?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 16?
11.Why were Paul and Silas imprisoned in Philippi?
12.In 2 Corinthians 8:1–2, how can we trust Paul’s claim that the impoverished Macedonians gave beyond their means if there’s no external historical data corroborating their extreme poverty?
13.Romans 15:19 mentions signs and wonders by Paul, but where is the historical or archeological evidence supporting these miracles?
14.What is the significance of the Church in Philippi?What Does Acts 16:19 Mean When the girl’s owners saw• Luke highlights that real people—“owners”—were exploiting a demon-possessed slave (cf.Leviticus 19:13;James 5:4). • Their reaction is driven by sight, not faith. Just as “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4), these men evaluate everything by what they can see and gain. • Ownership of another human reveals the fallen world that Christ came to redeem (Galatians 3:28).
that their hope of making money was gone• The gospel’s power cut off an income stream built on bondage, echoing Jesus’ words: “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). • Greed turns people hostile when profit is threatened (Acts 19:24-27, the silversmiths of Ephesus). • “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10); here it fuels persecution.
they seized Paul and Silas• Grasping Paul and Silas shows how quickly spiritual opposition becomes physical (Acts 5:18;2 Timothy 3:12). • The pair are innocent, yet targeted—fulfilling Jesus’ promise: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness” (Matthew 5:10-12). • Their calm endurance will later lead to a jailer’s conversion (Acts 16:25-34), proving God can turn attacks into advancement of the gospel.
and dragged them before the authorities• The gospel frequently ends up on trial before civic powers (Luke 21:12-13;Acts 24:1-9). • Unbelievers enlist government structures to silence truth, but God uses the same stage for witness (Philippians 1:12-14, written from prison). • “The authorities” at Philippi were Roman magistrates; appealing to them exposed both injustice and the missionaries’ Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37-38).
in the marketplace• The agora was the public hub. Making accusations there maximized shame and stirred mob pressure (Acts 17:17). • Public spaces are not neutral; wisdom “cries aloud in the street” too (Proverbs 1:20-21). • Jesus instructed, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight” (Matthew 10:27). Paul lives that out; the enemies merely provide the platform.
summaryActs 16:19 shows greed colliding with gospel power. Deliverance of one enslaved girl threatened lucrative darkness, so her owners lashed out, dragging Paul and Silas into public, legal persecution. The verse exposes motives (profit vs. freedom), highlights predictable opposition to Christ’s work, and sets the stage for God to turn hostility into further proclamation and salvation. (19) That the hope of their gains was gone.--Better, of their occupation. The word for "gains" is the same as that translated "gain" and "craft" in Acts 19:24-25. There is something like a prophetic significance in the use, at this stage, of the word which was the key to nearly all the persecutions to which the early believers were exposed. Men could tolerate varieties of worship or the speculations of philosophers: they were roused to madness by that which threatened their business. The use in the Greek of the same verb for "was gone," as had been used in the previous verse for "come out," gives an emphasis which the English does not reproduce. Their business and the spirit of divination "passed away" together. Paul and Silas.--Luke and Timotheus escaped, probably, as less conspicuous. Drew them into the marketplace.--The marketplace, orAgora,was, in all Greek cities, the centre of social life. In Philippi, as acolonia,reproducing the arrangements of Rome, it would answer to the Forum, where the magistrates habitually sat. What had taken place would naturally cause excitement and attract a crowd. Verse 19.- But for and, A.V.; gain for gains, A.V. ( ἐργασία, as ver. 16); bald hold on for caught, A.V.; dragged for drew, A.V.; before for unto, A.V. The rulers ( οἱ ἄρχοντες); the archons. Meyer thinks these were the city judges, or magistrates (who always had their court in the ἀγορά, or forum), by whom Paul and Silas were sent to the praetors ( στρατηγοί) for judgment. So in Luke 12:58, the litigants go to the ἀρχών, first, and he sends them on to the κριτής, or judge, who orders them for punishment. This seems a more probable explanation than that commonly adopted (Howson, Alford, Renan, Lewin, etc.), that the ἄρχοντες and the στρατηγοί mean the same officers. No reason can be conceived for Luke's calling them ἄρχοντες if he meant στρατηγοί, or for naming the office's twice over when once was sufficient. Nor is it likely that officers of such high rank as the duumviri, or proctors, as they had come to be called, should be always in the forum, to try every petty case (see articles "Colonia, Duumviri," and "Praetor," in 'Dict. of Greek and Roman Antiquities'). It seems, therefore, that Meyer's explanation is right. At Athens the general term ἄρχοντες was applied to inferior magistrates, as well as to the nine archons ('Dict. of Greek and Roman Antiquities' "Archon"). Ver. 20. - When they had brought for brought, A.V.; unto for to, A.V.; they said for saying, A.V. The magistrates; στρατηγοί, i.e. the praetors. Philippi, being a colony, was governed by Roman magistrates called duumviri, corresponding to the two consuls at Rome. But we learn from Cicero that in his time the duuraviri in the colonies were beginning to be called praetors, a little previously used only at Rome ('De Leg. Agrar.,' 34), and to be preceded by lictors ( ῤάβδουχαοι of ver. 35). Two inscriptions have been found in which the duumviri of Philippi are mentioned (Lewin, p. 26).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek [When]δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.[the girl’s]αὐτῆς(autēs)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.ownersκύριοι(kyrioi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.sawἸδόντες(Idontes)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3708:Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.thatὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.theirαὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.hopeἐλπὶς(elpis)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1680:Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.ofτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.making moneyἐργασίας(ergasias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2039:From ergates; occupation; by implication, profit, pains.was gone,ἐξῆλθεν(exēlthen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1831:To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.they seizedἐπιλαβόμενοι(epilabomenoi)Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1949:To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent).PaulΠαῦλον(Paulon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972:Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.SilasΣιλᾶν(Silan)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4609:Silas, a pet-form of the name Silvanus; a Roman citizen and a helper of Paul. Contraction for Silouanos; Silas, a Christian.[and] dragged [them]εἵλκυσαν(heilkysan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1670:To drag, draw, pull, persuade, unsheathe. Or helko hel'-ko; probably akin to haireomai; to drag.beforeἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.theτοὺς(tous)Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.authoritiesἄρχοντας(archontas)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 758:Present participle of archo; a first.inεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.marketplace.ἀγορὰν(agoran)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 58:From ageiro; properly, the town-square; by implication, a market or thoroughfare.
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NT Apostles: Acts 16:19 But when her masters saw that (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
