King James Version

What Does Acts 16:16 Mean?

Acts 16:16 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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: of divination: or, of Python

Acts 16:16 · KJV


Context

14

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

15

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

16

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: of divination: or, of Python

17

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

18

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination (πνεῦμα πύθωνα, pneuma pythōna)—literally "a spirit of Python," referencing the Pythian Apollo whose oracle at Delphi was the center of Greek divination. This slave girl had a demonic spirit that enabled her to predict the future, generating considerable profit for her exploitative masters.

Which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying (μαντευομένη, manteuomenē)—the term for pagan fortune-telling, distinct from biblical prophecy. Her owners commodified her spiritual bondage for financial exploitation. Luke's matter-of-fact description reveals the demonic reality behind pagan religious practices and the economic systems built upon spiritual oppression. Paul will soon confront both the spiritual and economic dimensions of this evil.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Philippi was a Roman colony with significant Greek religious influence. Divination and occult practices were widespread in the Greco-Roman world, often controlled by slaveholders who profited from their victims' spiritual bondage. The "Python spirit" reference would have been immediately understood by Luke's audience as demonic possession masquerading as religious authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does modern society similarly exploit spiritual deception for financial gain?
  2. What does this passage reveal about the real spiritual forces behind occult practices, even when they appear culturally acceptable?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Ἐγένετο1 of 21

it came to pass

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

δὲ2 of 21

And

G1161

but, and, etc

πορευομένων3 of 21

went

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

ἡμῶν4 of 21

as we

G2257

of (or from) us

εἰς5 of 21

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

προσευχὴν6 of 21

prayer

G4335

prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)

παιδίσκην7 of 21

damsel

G3814

a girl, i.e., (specially), a female slave or servant

τινὰ8 of 21

a certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ἔχουσαν9 of 21

possessed

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

πνεῦμα10 of 21

with a spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

Πύθωνος11 of 21

of divination

G4436

a python, i.e., (by analogy, with the supposed diviner there) inspiration (soothsaying)

ἀπαντῆσαι12 of 21

met

G528

to meet away, i.e., encounter

ἡμῖν13 of 21

us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

ἥτις14 of 21

which

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

ἐργασίαν15 of 21

gain

G2039

occupation; by implication, profit, pains

πολλὴν16 of 21

much

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

παρεῖχεν17 of 21

brought

G3930

to hold near, i.e., present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion

τοῖς18 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίοις19 of 21

masters

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

αὐτῆς20 of 21
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

μαντευομένη21 of 21

by soothsaying

G3132

to divine, i.e., utter spells (under pretense of foretelling


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 16:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 16:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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