King James Version

What Does Acts 16:19 Mean?

Acts 16:19 in the King James Version says “And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marke... — study this verse from Acts chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Acts 16:19 · KJV


Context

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,

21

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone (ἰδόντες ὅτι ἐξῆλθεν ἡ ἐλπὶς τῆς ἐργασίας αὐτῶν)—The Greek ergasia (ἐργασία) means "business" or "profit," exposing the commercial exploitation of the demon-possessed girl. Paul's exorcism destroyed their revenue stream, not their theological worldview. This reveals a stark pattern throughout Acts: opposition to the Gospel rarely stems from intellectual objection but from threatened financial or political interests (cf. Ephesus's silversmiths in Acts 19:23-27).

They caught Paul and Silas, and drew them (ἐπιλαβόμενοι τὸν Παῦλον καὶ τὸν Σιλᾶν εἵλκυσαν)—The violent verb heilkusan (dragged forcibly) echoes Jesus's prediction that disciples would be "brought before rulers" (Luke 21:12). Notably, Timothy and Luke avoided arrest, likely because only Roman citizens Paul and Silas could be charged in the agora (marketplace-forum). This judicial setting recalls Socrates's trial—both confronted civic authorities over spiritual truth.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Philippi was a Roman colony (Acts 16:12) with special legal status, making the marketplace the center of civic and judicial life. The "masters" (κύριοι) were likely multiple slave-owners profiting from the girl's fortune-telling. Roman law protected property rights aggressively, and Paul's miracle constituted economic interference, making prosecution almost inevitable in this militaristic, commerce-driven city.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you seen the Gospel opposed not on theological grounds but because it threatened someone's financial interests or social status?
  2. How does the willingness of Paul and Silas to face legal consequences for liberating one enslaved girl challenge your understanding of costly discipleship?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
ἰδόντες1 of 25

saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

δὲ2 of 25

And

G1161

but, and, etc

οἱ3 of 25
G3588

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

κύριοι4 of 25

masters

G2962

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

αὐτῶν5 of 25

when 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

ὅτι6 of 25

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐξῆλθεν7 of 25

was gone

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

8 of 25
G3588

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

ἐλπὶς9 of 25

the hope

G1680

expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence

τῆς10 of 25
G3588

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

ἐργασίας11 of 25

gains

G2039

occupation; by implication, profit, pains

αὐτῶν12 of 25

when 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

ἐπιλαβόμενοι13 of 25

they caught

G1949

to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)

τὸν14 of 25
G3588

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

Παῦλον15 of 25

Paul

G3972

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

καὶ16 of 25

and

G2532

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

τὸν17 of 25
G3588

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

Σιλᾶν18 of 25

Silas

G4609

silas, a christian

εἵλκυσαν19 of 25

and drew

G1670

to drag (literally or figuratively)

εἰς20 of 25

them into

G1519

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

τὴν21 of 25
G3588

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

ἀγορὰν22 of 25

the marketplace

G58

properly, the town-square (as a place of public resort); by implication, a market or thoroughfare

ἐπὶ23 of 25

unto

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

τοὺς24 of 25
G3588

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

ἄρχοντας25 of 25

the rulers

G758

a first (in rank or power)


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 16:19 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 16:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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