CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Acts 16 Matthew Poole's Commentary</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/acts/161.htm" /><link href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Cardo&subset=greek-ext' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001com.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/acts/16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcom/acts/16-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="/commentaries/">Commentary</a> > <a href="../">Poole</a> > <a href="../acts/">Acts</a></div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../acts/15.htm" title="Acts 15">◄</a> Acts 16 <a href="../acts/17.htm" title="Acts 17">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Matthew Poole's Commentary</div><div class="chap"> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-1.htm">Acts 16:1</a></div><div class="verse">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 <i>was</i> a Greek:</div><span class="bld"><a href="/context/acts/16-1.htm" title="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:...">Acts 16:1-8</a></span> Paul having circumcised Timothy, and taken him for<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>his companion, passeth through divers countries,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld"><a href="/context/acts/16-9.htm" title="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....">Acts 16:9-13</a></span> and is directed by a vision to go into Macedonia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld"><a href="/acts/16-14.htm" title="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 to the things which were spoken of Paul.">Acts 16:14</a>,15</span> He converteth Lydia,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld"><a href="/context/acts/16-16.htm" title="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:...">Acts 16:16-18</a></span> and casteth out a spirit of divination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld"><a href="/context/acts/16-19.htm" title="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,...">Acts 16:19-24</a></span> He and Silas are whipped and imprisoned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld"><a href="/context/acts/16-25.htm" title="And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them....">Acts 16:25-34</a></span> The prison doors are thrown open by an earthquake at<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>midnight: the jailer, prevented by Paul from killing<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>himself, is converted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld"><a href="/context/acts/16-35.htm" title="And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go....">Acts 16:35-40</a></span> They are released by the magistrates.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Derbe and Lystra; </span> of these cities see <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/14-6.htm" title="They were ware of it, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region that lies round about:">Acts 14:6</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Timotheus; </span> who was known unto Paul from his childhood, <span class="bld"><a href="/2_timothy/1-5.htm" title="When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelled first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in you also.">2 Timothy 1:5</a></span>, and accompanied him in many journeys, <span class="bld"><a href="/2_timothy/3-10.htm" title="But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,">2 Timothy 3:10</a>,11</span>, and is called by him, his <span class="ital">work-fellow, </span><span class="bldvs"> <a href="/romans/16-21.htm" title="Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.">Romans 16:21</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">A certain woman, called Eunice; </span> being one of them that had <span class="ital">believed</span> in Christ in Judea, and had a holy woman to her mother, named Lois. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">His father was a Greek:</span> although it was not lawful for a Jew to marry a woman of another nation, yet some think that a Jewess might marry to a stranger, as Esther married to Ahasuerus. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">A Greek; </span> of Gentile extraction, and therefore not circumcised; yet he is accounted to have been a proselyte. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="2"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-2.htm">Acts 16:2</a></div><div class="verse">Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.</div> Though Timothy was well known unto Paul, yet he would not ordain him without the testimony of others concerning him, of his holy life, and knowledge in the Scripture, <span class="bld"><a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm" title="And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.">2 Timothy 3:15</a></span>, which he did excel in. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="3"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-3.htm">Acts 16:3</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> <span class="bld">Circumcised him because of the Jews, </span> who could not yet be persuaded that the law of circumcision was abrogated. Paul, who became all things to all men, that he might save some, circumcised Timothy that he might not offend the Jewish converts, <span class="bld"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-22.htm" title="To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.">1 Corinthians 9:22</a></span>, but would not circumcise Titus, <span class="bld"><a href="/galatians/2-3.htm" title="But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:">Galatians 2:3</a></span>, lest that he should harden them, and offend the Gentiles. These indifferent things require a single eye, to the edifying of the church, and the salvation of souls. Timothy was uncircumcised, although his mother was a Jewess; for according to their Talmudists, the mother could not cause her child to be circumcised against the mind of the father. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="4"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-4.htm">Acts 16:4</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> <span class="bld">The decrees; </span> the determination of the council, mentioned <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/15-20.htm" title="But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.">Acts 15:20</a>,29</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Ordained of the apostles and elders; </span> by common consent, and not of one only, whosoever he were. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="5"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-5.htm">Acts 16:5</a></div><div class="verse">And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.</div> <span class="bld">Established in the faith; </span> being rightly persuaded in the nature and use of things indifferent; and, in general, of things necessary to be believed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">And increased in number daily; </span> so that this visitation of the churches had a double benefit. First, it strengthened them that were already converted. Secondly, it added more unto their number. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="6"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-6.htm">Acts 16:6</a></div><div class="verse">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,</div> <span class="bld">Phrygia</span> and <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Galatia</span> were parts of Asia Minor. They <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">were forbidden of the Holy Ghost</span> by some revelation, though the manner is not known, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">to preach the word in Asia, </span> for that time; though afterwards Paul preached there about two years together, <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/19-10.htm" title="And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelled in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.">Acts 19:10</a></span>. Thus God (the great Householder) orders the candle to be removed from one room unto another; sends, or takes away, the light of the gospel, to whom, and as often, as he pleaseth. Our calling, as well as our election, is free; and we may say with our Saviour, <span class="bld"><a href="/matthew/11-26.htm" title="Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in your sight.">Matthew 11:26</a></span>, <span class="ital">Even so, Father; </span> for so it seemed good in thy sight. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="7"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-7.htm">Acts 16:7</a></div><div class="verse">After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.</div> <span class="bld">Mysia; </span> a little country near Troas. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Bithynia; </span> another province nigh unto the same place, over against Thracia, bordering upon the Black Sea. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The Spirit; </span> the Spirit of Jesus, or of God, as some copies read. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Suffered them not; </span> the journeyings of them that preached the gospel, as well as their words, were directed by God; they might not say, Do, or Go, but according to the will of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="8"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-8.htm">Acts 16:8</a></div><div class="verse">And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.</div> Either the relics of the famous city of Troy, or the country thereabouts, in which the city of Antigonia was built. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="9"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Acts 16:9</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> <span class="bld">A man; </span> an angel in the appearance and likeness (in habit and demeanour) of one of that country. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Macedonia; </span> a Grecian province in Europe, extending to the Archipelago. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Help us; </span> as to our souls, with the saving light of the gospel: God sends the ministers of the gospel to help such as would otherwise perish: with the gospel, salvation comes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="10"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-10.htm">Acts 16:10</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> <span class="bld">Immediately; </span> as soon as God’s will was manifested, they make no delay, not objecting against the journey. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">We endeavoured to go; </span> St. Luke, the penman of this book was one of them that went, (the others were Paul, Silas, and Timotheus), and therefore speaks in the plural number. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="11"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-11.htm">Acts 16:11</a></div><div class="verse">Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next <i>day</i> to Neapolis;</div> <span class="bld">Samothracia; </span> an island so called, because the inhabitants came partly out of Thrace, and partly from Samos. This <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Neapolis</span> was a city in the confines of Thrace and Macedonia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="12"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-12.htm">Acts 16:12</a></div><div class="verse">And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, <i>and</i> a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.</div> <span class="bld">Philippi; </span> a city so called from Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, who repaired a ruined town, and caused it to be called by his name. The chief city of that part of Macedonia; or the first city in the passage from Samothracia unto Macedonia. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">A colony; </span> where many Roman citizens went to inhabit, and whose inhabitants had the freedom of the city of Rome. To the church in this city Paul wrote an Epistle. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="13"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Acts 16:13</a></div><div class="verse">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 <i>thither</i>.</div> In those places where there were not enough to build a synagogue, or could not obtain leave to do it, the Jews in those countries chose more private places to meet in, which usually were near rivers, or by the seaside, removed from the noise and observance of the multitude; and these places were called proseucai, from the prayers which were usually made there; and to one of these Paul and the rest went, taking that occasion to meet with them whom they might preach the word of life unto. The <span class="bld">women</span> are here named, as being more numerous in those oratories, or such as most willingly heard and attended unto what was spoken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="14"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-14.htm">Acts 16:14</a></div><div class="verse">And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard <i>us</i>: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.</div> <span class="bld">Lydia; </span> so called from the country of that name, she being born at <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Thyatira, </span> a city therein, and now lived with her family at Philippi. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Worshipped God; </span> being a proselyte, and one of them who had left the heathenish idolatry, and owned the one only and true God; but as yet unacquainted with the gospel of his Son our Saviour. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Heart, </span> in Scripture sense, signifies both the understanding and the will: thus, <span class="ital">With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, </span> <span class="bld"><a href="/romans/10-10.htm" title="For with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.">Romans 10:10</a></span>. Her understanding was enlightened, her heart changed; she now loved what she before hated, and hated what before she loved. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The Lord opened; </span> this was the Lord’s work; according unto what our Saviour himself had said, <span class="bld"><a href="/john/6-44.htm" title="No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.">John 6:44</a></span>, <span class="ital">No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.</span> And yet we may in a sense open our hearts, by using such means as God hath promised to succeed for that purpose, <span class="bld"><a href="/revelation/3-20.htm" title="Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.">Revelation 3:20</a></span>; and especially when, in a sense of our inability and necessity, we implore the free grace of God, and engage him to work in us according unto all his good pleasure. Otherwise creating a clean heart within us, as it is called, <span class="bld"><a href="/psalms/51-10.htm" title="Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.">Psalm 51:10</a></span>, is beyond the power of nature. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">She attended:</span> hearing is an instructive sense, and faith cometh by it, <span class="bld"><a href="/romans/10-17.htm" title="So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.">Romans 10:17</a></span>, but it must then be accompanied with attention. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="15"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-15.htm">Acts 16:15</a></div><div class="verse">And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought <i>us</i>, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide <i>there</i>. And she constrained us.</div> <span class="bld">And her household; </span> when Lydia had right to baptism, by reason of her faith in Jesus Christ, all her family, whom she could undertake to bring up in the knowledge of Christ, were admitted to that ordinance also; as all the servants, and such others as were born in his house, or bought with his money, were circumcised with Abraham, <span class="bld"><a href="/genesis/17-12.htm" title="And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of your seed.">Genesis 17:12</a>,13</span>. Now the gospel does not contract in any respect, but enlarges, the privileges of believers in all things. And if they might under the law have their children and servants admitted into a covenant with God, (which could not but rejoice religious parents and masters, who value the relation they and theirs have to God, above all earthly things), surely under the gospel none of our families are excluded, unless they wilfully exclude themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">She constrained us; </span> as the two disciples that were going to Emmaus constrained our Saviour, <span class="bld"><a href="/luke/24-29.htm" title="But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.">Luke 24:29</a></span>, with all earnest entreaties and loving violence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="16"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16</a></div><div class="verse">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:</div> <span class="bld">Went to prayer; </span> went towards the place where their public prayers were usually made. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Of divination; </span> or, of Python, the name of Apollo, from the place where he was worshipped, (which was afterwards called Delphi), and from whom all evil spirits, that pretended to divination, were called Pythons; as that the woman made use of to delude Saul by, <span class="bld"><a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm" title="Then said Saul to his servants, Seek me a woman that has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that has a familiar spirit at Endor.">1 Samuel 28:7</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="17"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-17.htm">Acts 16:17</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> The devil might be forced by God to confess this; or, he might do it voluntarily by God’s permission: First, To draw men on to believe him in other things, being he commended the servants of God, and spake the truth in this. Secondly, That, by flattering St. Paul, he might puff him up, and occasion him to sin. But an evil spirit, (or an evil man), when he dissembles as it he were good, is then worst of all. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="18"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-18.htm">Acts 16:18</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> St. Paul was <span class="bld">grieved, </span> either for the maid’s sake, who suffered so much by her being possessed with this spirit, or, for their sakes who were seduced by him. St. Paul (as our Saviour had done, <span class="bld"><a href="/mark/1-25.htm" title="And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold your peace, and come out of him.">Mark 1:25</a></span>) refuseth the testimony of the devil; for he being the father of lies, <span class="bld"><a href="/john/8-44.htm" title="You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.">John 8:44</a></span>, makes every thing he says to be suspected; as it is a usual punishment of liars, that they are not believed when they speak the truth; and the devil never speaks any truth but with an intention to deceive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">In the name of Jesus Christ; </span> by the authority and power of Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="19"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Acts 16:19</a></div><div class="verse">And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew <i>them</i> into the marketplace unto the rulers,</div> <span class="bld">Her masters; </span> for she was a servant, or slave; and being very advantageous, might have many that had a share in her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Their gains; </span> the profit could not but be considerable, for they were to come with <span class="ital">the rewards of divination in their hands, </span> as they did to Balaam, <span class="bld"><a href="/numbers/22-7.htm" title="And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.">Numbers 22:7</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Rulers: See Poole on "<a href="/matthew/16-20.htm" title="Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.">Matthew 16:20</a>"</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="20"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-20.htm">Acts 16:20</a></div><div class="verse">And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,</div> <span class="bld">Magistrates, </span> the same who are called <span class="ital">rulers; </span> and the word here shows, that they were under the power of the sword, and ruled by the Romans; though the rulers spoken of in the former verse might be the civil magistrates of the city, and the magistrates here mentioned might be the commanders of the forces therein. They carried them, as they did our Saviour, from one to the other, the more to disgrace them, and to obtain the greater punishment for them. They mention their <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">being Jews, </span> because it was a most odious name unto all men, by reason of their different opinions in religion, and diversity of manners in conversation from all. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="21"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Acts 16:21</a></div><div class="verse">And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.</div> There was at Philippi, as appears <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/16-12.htm" title="And from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.">Acts 16:12</a></span>, a colony of the Romans, and they were governed by their laws, by which they might make no innovation in religion without the consent of the senate, and afterwards of their emperors; which here these persecutors allege. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="22"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-22.htm">Acts 16:22</a></div><div class="verse">And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat <i>them</i>.</div> <span class="bld">The multitude; </span> generality and unanimity alone cannot authorize opinions or practices. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Rent off their clothes; </span> Paul’s and Silas’s clothes, to disgrace them the more, or in order unto their being scourged; though some think that the magistrates rent their own clolhes, in detestation of the pretended blasphemy which was laid to Paul’s charge, as the high priest did, <span class="bld"><a href="/mark/14-63.htm" title="Then the high priest rent his clothes, and said, What need we any further witnesses?">Mark 14:63</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="23"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-23.htm">Acts 16:23</a></div><div class="verse">And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast <i>them</i> into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:</div> <span class="bld">Laid many stripes upon them; </span> partly by the lictors or executioners, and partly by the furious rabble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The jailer; </span> this jailer’s name (of whose conversion we read hereafter) was Stephanas, as may appear if you compare <span class="bld"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-16.htm" title="And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.">1 Corinthians 1:16</a></span> with what follows by St. Luke in this story. Of him also we read, <span class="bld"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-15.htm" title="I beseech you, brothers, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)">1 Corinthians 16:15</a>,17</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="24"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-24.htm">Acts 16:24</a></div><div class="verse">Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.</div> Thus they dealt with Joseph, <span class="bld"><a href="/genesis/39-20.htm" title="And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.">Genesis 39:20</a></span>, compared with <span class="bld"><a href="/psalms/105-18.htm" title="Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:">Psalm 105:18</a></span>, and with Jeremiah, and with John Baptist. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">Sanctorum sors est, et non moleste ferenda.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="25"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25</a></div><div class="verse">And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.</div> No time or place where prayer is not acceptable unto God, and prevalent with him; nay, it sounds the sweeter when on the waters of affliction a good man pours it forth unto God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Sang praises unto God, </span> that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ: and being all things are overruled for the good, and conduce to the advantage, of them that love God, <span class="bld"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm" title="And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.">Romans 8:28</a></span>, they owe unto God thanks for all things through Jesus Christ, which is also required of them, <span class="bld"><a href="/ephesians/5-20.htm" title="Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;">Ephesians 5:20</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="26"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Acts 16:26</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> <span class="bld">Suddenly; </span> how soon is prayer answered, when the fulness of time is come! So nigh is God unto all that call upon him, <span class="bld"><a href="/psalms/34-17.htm" title="The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.">Psalm 34:17</a> 145:18</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">There was a great earthquake; </span> an earthquake did usually precede some wonderful matter, as <span class="bld"><a href="/matthew/28-2.htm" title="And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.">Matthew 28:2</a></span>. And although God could have delivered these his servants without an earthquake, yet, to show the more that their deliverance was his work, and it was no artifice or force of their own, he manifested his power after this manner. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Every one’s bands were loosed; </span> either by the earthquake, or some secret power of an angel, or by God himself immediately, that the apostles and others might know that the souls of men should be loosed and set free by them, whose bodies for that purpose were now freed by God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="27"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> <span class="bld">Awaking out of his sleep, </span> by the earthquake, which being upon an extraordinary occasion, could not fail to do all that God intended by it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Would have killed himself, </span> for fear of suffering a more cruel death; for all jailers, who let any prisoner escape, were to suffer the same punishment that the prisoners were thought to have deserved; and self-murder was very ordinary amongst both the Romans and Grecians. But whatsoever their philosophers have said of it, it must needs have been a very great provocation against God, to show so great an aversion from God’s will, disposing of them and their concerns in this world, and challenging or daring of him to do worse by them in the world to come. Men must have sad comforts, and take desperate resolutions, that come to this at once. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="28"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-28.htm">Acts 16:28</a></div><div class="verse">But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.</div> The other prisoners were smitten with amazement; neither did they mind (or it might have been kept from them) that the doors were opened, and their chains loosed: but as for the apostles, the same God who wrought this deliverance for them, might inform them of the intent of it; that by this means the conversion of the jailer and his family was intended; and that their doctrine might be magnified, which had been so much vilified. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="29"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-29.htm">Acts 16:29</a></div><div class="verse">Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,</div> <span class="bld">He called for a light, </span> or lights, which prisons are not usually without. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Came trembling:</span> what a sudden and great change can God make! he comes trembling to those feet which he had put into the stocks so lately. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Fell down before Paul and Silas; </span> by which he would give a civil respect unto them, it being an ordinary rite amongst the Eastern nations (as endless examples in Scripture witness) to pay their respects; and from them it spread itself into Greece: which respect Paul and Silas do not refuse, because it was barely civil, and did show the humility aud brokenness of the jailer’s heart. Yet Peter would not accept of the like from Cornelius, <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/10-25.htm" title="And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.">Acts 10:25</a>,26</span>, because it was more than a bare civil respect which Cornelius would have given him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="30"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30</a></div><div class="verse">And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?</div> <span class="bld">Brought them out, </span> into his own apartment in the prison, or to some more open and free place. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Sirs; </span> a term of respect given by the Romans and Grecians to such whom they honoured, as now the jailer did these seemingly most contemptible men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">What must I do to be saved?</span> He might have some knowledge of a future state, which he here inquires after: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. By the very light of nature.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. By tradition.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>3. By the doctrine of the philosophers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>4. By his frequenting with Jews and proselytes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>Men under fears, and in dangers, as to the things of this world, are brought to look after another world (as every one prays in a storm): but this is only when God is pleased to sanctify such fears and disasters; otherwise all the plagues of Egypt do but harden them the more, <span class="bld"><a href="/exodus/7-3.htm" title="And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.">Exodus 7:3</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="31"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-31.htm">Acts 16:31</a></div><div class="verse">And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.</div> <span class="bld">Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; </span> this is the sum of the gospel. Christ, apprehended by faith, serves for wisdom, <span class="ital">righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, </span> as <span class="bld"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-30.htm" title="But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:">1 Corinthians 1:30</a></span>. But then this precious faith must be such as works by love, as purifies the heart, <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/15-9.htm" title="And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.">Acts 15:9</a></span>, as <span class="ital">overcometh the world, </span><span class="bldvs"> <a href="/1_john/5-4.htm" title="For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.">1Jo 5:4</a></span>, as quenches <span class="ital">the fiery darts of the devil, </span><span class="bldvs"> <a href="/ephesians/6-16.htm" title="Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.">Ephesians 6:16</a></span>, and is deservedly called, a <span class="ital">most holy faith, </span><span class="bldvs"> <a href="/judges/1-20.htm" title="And they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled there the three sons of Anak.">Judges 1:20</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Thou shalt be saved, and thy house; </span> thou shalt by this means come to obtain that life thou dost so much desire after; and not only thyself, but (God gives more than we ask) thy children and family shall be saved; inasmuch as the covenant, where it is entered into, is not only with them, but with their children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="32"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-32.htm">Acts 16:32</a></div><div class="verse">And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.</div> Expounding more at large that which they had briefly propounded in the foregoing verse, as concerning the natures and offices of Christ; especially his suffering for our sins, and rising again for our justification. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">To all that were in his house; </span> their fellow prisoners not exempted, unto whom it was a joyful confinement, being by this means made God’s freemen. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="33"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-33.htm">Acts 16:33</a></div><div class="verse">And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed <i>their</i> stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.</div> <span class="bld">The same hour of the night; </span> he did not delay to show forth the fruits of his faith, and real conversion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">And washed their stripes; </span> which his stripes had made, using such means as might assuage their pain, and heal their wounds. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">He and all his: See Poole on "<a href="/acts/16-15.htm" title="And when she was baptized, and her household, she sought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.">Acts 16:15</a>"</span>, <span class="bld">See Poole on "<a href="/acts/16-32.htm" title="And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.">Acts 16:32</a>"</span>. Of baptism administered without any delay, upon their profession of faith in Christ, we have had examples, <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/8-38.htm" title="And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.">Acts 8:38</a>,10:47</span>, and in <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/16-15.htm" title="And when she was baptized, and her household, she sought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.">Acts 16:15</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="34"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-34.htm">Acts 16:34</a></div><div class="verse">And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.</div> <span class="bld">Into his house; </span> which was close unto, or a separate part of, the prison, into which they did ascend, being before in a low dungeon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">He set meat before them; </span> Paul and Silas had been long fasting, and in any season of the night it was a mercy to them to have a table spread for them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Rejoiced; </span> finding the effects of his faith, peace with God, and joy in the Holy Ghost; which was not a little augmented, in that he had his family admitted into the covenant of God’s grace, they also believing, and being baptized. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="35"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-35.htm">Acts 16:35</a></div><div class="verse">And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.</div> <span class="bld">The serjeants; </span> their messengers, or officers, which did carry a mace, or a rod, from whence they had their name. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Saying, Let those men go; </span> probably being terrified with the earthquake, which if it had not been general, they could not yet have heard of. Their consciences might also accuse them for having unjustly punished them for a good deed which they had done, only to gratify the rage of the multitude; as also because they had acted against the custom of the Romans, (though they did not yet know that they had the privilege of Roman citizens), and had beaten strangers without any legal trial, or form of law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="36"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-36.htm">Acts 16:36</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div> <span class="bld">Told this saying to Paul; </span> being glad that he might release them. Neither does he bid them go, as desirous to be rid of them; but, not requiring any fees, he lets them go to preach the gospel, and fulfill their ministry, with his prayers and good wishes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="37"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-37.htm">Acts 16:37</a></div><div class="verse">But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast <i>us</i> into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.</div> <span class="bld">Paul said unto them, </span> the officers who were sent to the prison with the message about their liberty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">They have beaten us; </span> the magistrates, who commanded them to be beaten, are justly charged with the beating of them, as if they had themselves done it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Openly; </span> it was no small aggravation of their injustice, and these holy men’s sufferings, that they had, for the greater spite unto them, openly scourged them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Uncondemned; </span> for they were not tried, or permitted to speak for themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Being Romans; </span> having the privilege of Roman citizens, which was sometimes given to whole communities. Now such by their laws might not be bound, much less beaten, (and least of all uncondemned), without the consent of the Romans. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Let them come themselves and fetch us out; </span> this the apostle stands upon, not so much for his own, as for the gospel’s sake, that it might not be noised abroad, that the preachers of it were wicked and vile men, and did deserve such ignominious punishment. Though they were as innocent as doves, it became them also to be as wise as serpents. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="38"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-38.htm">Acts 16:38</a></div><div class="verse">And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.</div> For the Romans (under whom these magistrates were) made it by their laws to be treason thus to abuse any of their citizens. God overruled their fear of man for the deliverance of his servants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="39"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-39.htm">Acts 16:39</a></div><div class="verse">And they came and besought them, and brought <i>them</i> out, and desired <i>them</i> to depart out of the city.</div> Two things the magistrates had to desire of them: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. That they would excuse the wrong done unto them, which they feared lest the Romans might revenge. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. That, to avoid further mischiefs, (as they thought), they would leave the city. But the words here used do signify, also, that they comforted them, as well as besought, or exhorted them: both by word and deed they sought to make amends for the injury they had offered unto them; and desired them to depart for their own safety, lest the people should express their rage and madness against them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="40"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/acts/16-40.htm">Acts 16:40</a></div><div class="verse">And they went out of the prison, and entered into <i>the house of</i> Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.</div> <span class="bld">Entered into the house of Lydia; </span> of whom, <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/16-14.htm" title="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 to the things which were spoken of Paul.">Acts 16:14</a></span>. They do not shun dangers, so as to neglect their duty. They comforted them, in respect of the tribulation they had endured, and were still to endure; or exhorted them to prepare for suffering, and to submit unto God in it, and to make a holy use of it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Matthew Poole's Commentary<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. Used by Permission. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../acts/15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../acts/17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/acts/16-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="/commentaries/ellicott/sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><br /><br /><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchap.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></body></html>