King James Version

What Does Acts 16:18 Mean?

Acts 16:18 in the King James Version says “And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 16:18 · KJV


Context

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.

19

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, marketplace: or, court

20

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Paul, being grieved (διαπονηθεὶς, diaponētheis)—not anger but godly distress at evil exploiting a human soul. Paul's patience ('many days') shows pastoral wisdom, not impulsiveness.

I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ (Παραγγέλλω σοι ἐν ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ)—the apostolic formula for exorcism uses Christ's authority, not magical incantation. Unlike the Jewish exorcists in Acts 19:13-16, Paul invokes genuine divine power. He came out the same hour demonstrates immediate, complete deliverance—but notice this ended the girl's economic value (v.19), triggering persecution. Authentic liberation often costs those who profit from bondage.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This slave girl practiced Python divination (v.16), associated with the Oracle of Delphi. Roman Philippi was steeped in pagan religion. Her owners exploited her demonic abilities for financial gain—a common practice in the Greco-Roman world where fortune-telling was big business.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did Paul wait 'many days' before confronting the spirit rather than acting immediately?
  2. How does this exorcism differ from magical practices, and what does 'in the name of Jesus Christ' signify about the source of Paul's authority?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
τοῦτο1 of 30

this

G5124

that thing

δὲ2 of 30

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐποίει3 of 30

did she

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ἐπὶ4 of 30
G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

πολλὰς5 of 30

many

G4183

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

ἡμέρας6 of 30

days

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

διαπονηθεὶς7 of 30

being grieved

G1278

to toil through, i.e., (passively) be worried

δὲ8 of 30

And

G1161

but, and, etc

9 of 30
G3588

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

Παῦλος10 of 30

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

καὶ11 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπιστρέψας12 of 30

turned

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

τῷ13 of 30
G3588

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

πνεύματι14 of 30

to the 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

εἶπεν15 of 30

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Παραγγέλλω16 of 30

I command

G3853

to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin

σοι17 of 30

thee

G4671

to thee

ἐν18 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ19 of 30
G3588

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

ὀνόματι20 of 30

the name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

Ἰησοῦ21 of 30

of Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ22 of 30

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐξῆλθεν23 of 30

he came out

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἀπ'24 of 30

out of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

αὐτῇ25 of 30

her

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

καὶ26 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξῆλθεν27 of 30

he came out

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

αὐτῇ28 of 30

her

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

τῇ29 of 30
G3588

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

ὥρᾳ30 of 30

hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)


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 16:18 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 16:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study