Act 16:11-17, 21:1-6 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 11. Loosing from Troas . Setting sail from this place. To Samothracia . This was an island in the AEgean Sea, not far from Thrace. It was peopled by inhabitants from Samos and from Thrace, and hence called Samothracia. It was about twenty miles in circumference; and was an asylum for fugitives and criminals. And the next day to Neapolis .This was a maritime city of Macedonia, near the borders of Thrace. It is now called Napoli .

Acts 16:11-17

Verse 11. Loosing from Troas. Setting sail from this place.

To Samothracia. This was an island in the AEgean Sea, not far from Thrace. It was peopled by inhabitants from Samos and from Thrace, and hence called Samothracia. It was about twenty miles in circumference; and was an asylum for fugitives and criminals.

And the next day to Neapolis.This was a maritime city of Macedonia, near the borders of Thrace. It is now called Napoli. Verse 12. And from thence to Philippi. The former name of this city was Dathos. It was repaired and adorned by Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, and after him was called Philippi. It was famous for having been the place where several battles were fought in the civil wars of the Romans; and, among others, for the decisive battle between Brutus and Antony. At this place Brutus killed himself. To the church in this place Paul afterwards wrote the epistle which bears its name.

Which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia. This whole region had been conquered by the Romans under Paulus Emilius. By him it was divided into four parts or provinces. (Livy.) The Syriac version renders it, "a city of the first part of Macedonia;" and there is a medal extant which also describes this region by this name. It has been proposed, therefore, to alter the Greek text in accordance with this, since it is known that Amphipolis was made the chief city by Paulus Emilius. But it may be remarked, that although Amphipolis was the chief city in the time of Paulus Emilius, it may have happened that in the lapse of two hundred and twenty years from that time, Philippi might have become the most extensive and splendid city. The Greek here may also mean simply that this was the first city to which they arrived in their travels.

And a colony. This is a Latin word, and means that this was a Roman colony. The word denotes a city or province which was planted or occupied by Roman citizens. On one of the coins now extant, it is recorded that Julius Caesar bestowed the advantages and dignity of a colony on Philippi, which Augustus afterwards confirmed and augmented. See Rob. Cal., Art. Philippi.

Certain days. Some days.

(d) "Philippi, which is the chief city" Php 1:1 (1) "the chief city" "the first" (+) "certain days" "Some" Verse 13. And on the sabbath. There is no doubt that in this city there were Jews. In the time of the apostles they were scattered extensively throughout the known world.

By a river side. What river this was is not known. It is known, however, that the Jews were accustomed to provide water, or to build their synagogues and oratories near water, for the convenience of the numerous washings before and during their religious services.

Where prayer. Where there was a proseuchae, or place of prayer; or where prayer was commonly offered. The Greek will bear either; but the sense is the same. Places for prayer were erected by the Jews in the vicinity of cities and towns, and particularly where there were not Jewish families enough, or where they were forbidden by the magistrate to erect a synagogue. These proseuchae, or places of prayer, were simple enclosures made of stones in a grove, or under a tree, where there would be a retired and convenient place for worship.

Was wont. Was accustomed to be offered; or where it was established by custom.

And spake unto the women, etc. This was probably before the regular service of the place commenced.

(2) "the sabbath" "Sabbath day" (e) "was wont" Acts 21:5 Verse 14. A seller of purple. Purple was a most valuable colour, obtained usually from shell-fish. It was chiefly worn by princes, and by the rich; and the traffic in it might be very profitable.

The city of Thyatira. This was a city of Lydia, in Asia Minor, now called Ak-hisar. The art of dying was particularly cultivated, as appears from an inscription found there. (See Kuin�el.)

Which worshipped God. A religious woman; a proselyte. Acts 13:16

Whose heart the Lord opened. Lk 24:45.

(a) "the Lord opened" Lk 24:45 Verse 15. And when she was baptized. Apparently without any delay. Comp. Acts 2:41, 8:38. It was usual to be baptized immediately on believing.

And her household. Gr., Her house, (οοικοςαυτης.) Her family. No mention is made of their having believed. And the case is one that affords a strong presumptive proof that this was an instance of household or infant baptism. For,

(1.) her believing is particularly mentioned.

(2.) It is not intimated that they believed. On the contrary, it is strongly implied that they did not.

(3.) It is manifestly implied that they were baptized because she believed. It was the offering of her family to the Lord. It is just such an account as would now be given of a household or family that were baptized on the faith of the parent.

If ye have judged me to be faithful. If you deem me a Christian, or a believer.

And she constrained us. She urged us. This was an instance of great hospitality, and also an evidence of her desire for further instruction in the doctrines of religion.

(b) "besought us" Heb 13:2 Verse 16. As we went to prayer. Greek, As we were going to the proseuchae, the place of prayer, Acts 16:13. Whether this was on the same day in which the conversion of Lydia occurred, or at another time, is not mentioned by the historian.

A certain damsel. A maid; a young woman.

Possessed with a spirit of divination. Greek, Python. See the margin. Python, or Pythios, was one of the names of Apollo, the Grecian god of the fine arts, of music, poetry, medicine, and eloquence. Of these he was esteemed to have been the inventor. He was reputed to be the third son of Jupiter and Latona. He had a celebrated temple and oracle at Delphi, which was resorted to from all parts of the world, and which was perhaps the only oracle that was in universal repute. The name Python is said to have been given him, because, as soon as he was born, he destroyed with arrows a serpent of that name, that had been seen by Juno to persecute Latona; hence his common name was the Pythian Apollo. He had temples on Mount Parnassus, at Delphi, Delos, Claros, Tenedos, etc., and his worship was almost universal In the celebrated oracle at Delphi, the priestess of Apollo pretended to be inspired; became violently agitated during the periods of pretended inspiration; and during those periods gave such responses to inquirers as were regarded as the oracles of the god. Others would also make pretensions to such inspiration; and the art of fortune-telling, or of jugglery, was extensively practised, and was the source of much gain. Acts 8:8-10. What was the cause of this extensive delusion in regard to the oracle at Delphi, it is not necessary now to inquire. It is plain that Paul regarded this as a case of demoniacal possession, and treated it accordingly.

Her masters. Those in whose employ she was.

By soothsaying. Pretending to foretell future events.

(c) "possessed with" 1Sam 28:7 (1) "divination" "Python" (d) "gain by soothsaying" Acts 19:24 (*) "soothsaying" "Divining" Verse 17. The same followed Paul, etc. Why she did this, or under what pretence, the sacred writer has not informed us. Various conjectures have been formed of the reason why this was done. It may have been,

(1.) that as she prophesied for gain, she supposed that Paul and Silas would reward her if she publicly proclaimed that they were the servants of God. Or,

(2.) because she was conscious that an evil spirit possessed her, and that she feared that Paul and Silas would expel that spirit; and that, by proclaiming them to be the servants of God, she hoped to conciliate their favour. Or,

(3.) more probably, it was because she saw evident tokens of their being sent from God, and that their doctrine would prevail; and by proclaiming this she hoped to acquire more authority, and a higher reputation for being herself inspired. Comp. Mk 5:7.

(e) "most high God" Gen 14:18-22 (f) "way of salvation" Acts 18:26, Heb 10:20

Acts 21:1-6

CHAPTER 21

Verse 1. After we were gotten from them. After we had left the elders at Miletus, Acts 20:38. They were on their way to Jerusalem.

Unto Coos. This was a small island in the Grecian Archipelago, a short distance from the south-western point of Asia Minor. It is now called Stan-co. It was celebrated for its fertility, and for the wine and silk-worms which it produced.

Unto Rhodes. This was an island in the Levant. On the island was a city of the same name, which was principally distinguished for its brazen Colossus, which was built by Chares of Lyndus. It stood across the mouth of the harbour; and was so high that vessels could pass between its legs. It stood fifty-six years, and was then thrown down by an earthquake. It was reckoned as one of the seven wonders of the world. When the Saracens took possession of this island, they sold this prostrate image to a Jew, who loaded 900 camels with the brass of it. This was A.D. 600, about 900 years after it had been thrown down. The ancient name of the island was Asteria. Its name Rhodes was given from the great quantity of roses which it produced.

Unto Patara. This was a maritime city of Lycia, in Asia Minor, over against Rhodes.

(*) "gotten" "had separated" Verse 2. Unto Phenicia. Acts 11:19. Phenicia was on their way to Jerusalem.

Set forth. Sailed.

(+) "sailed" "loosed" Verse 3. Had discovered Cyprus. Acts 4:36.

Into Syria. Mt 4:24.

And landed at Tyre. Mt 11:21.

To unlade her burden. Her cargo. Tyre was formerly one of the most commercial cities of the world; and it is probable, that in the time of Paul its commercial importance had not entirely ceased. Verse 4. And finding disciples. Christians. This is the first mention of there being Christians at Tyre; but there is no improbability in supposing that the gospel had been preached there, though it is not expressly recorded by Luke.

Who said to Paul. Comp. Acts 21:12. Their deep interest in his welfare, and their apprehension of his danger, was the reason why they admonished him not to go.

Through the Spirit. There as some difficulty in understanding this. In solving this difficulty, we may remark,

(1.) that it is evident that the Holy Spirit is meant, and that Luke means to say that this was spoken by his inspiration. The Holy Spirit was bestowed on Christians at that time in large measures, and many appear to have been under his inspiring guidance.

(2.) It was not understood by Paul as a positive command that he should not go up to Jerusalem--for, had it been, it would not have been disobeyed. Paul evidently understood it as expressive of their earnest wish that he should not go, as apprizing him of danger, and as a kind expression in regard to his own welfare and safety. Comp. Acts 21:13. Paul was in better circumstances to understand this than we are, and his interpretation was doubtless correct.

(3.) It is to be understood, therefore, simply as an inspired prophetic warning, that if he went, he went at the risk of his life; a prophetic warning joined with their individual personal wishes, that he would not expose himself to this danger. The meaning evidently is, that they said by inspiration of the Spirit, that he should not go unless he was willing to encounter danger, and the hazard of life as a consequence, for they foresaw that the journey would be attended with this hazard. Grotius renders it, "that he should not go, unless he was willing to be bound." Michaelis and Stolzius, "They gave him prophetic warning, that he should not go to Jerusalem." Doddridge, "If he tendered his own liberty and safety, not to go up to Jerusalem, since it would certainly expose him to very great hazard." The inspiration in the case was that of admonition and warning, not of positive command. Paul was simply apprized of the danger; and then left to the free determination of his own will. He chose to encounter the danger of which he was thus apprized. He did not despise the intimations of the Spirit; but he judged that his duty to God called him thus to encounter the hazards of the journey. We may be apprized of danger in a certain course, either by our friends or by the word of God, and still it may be our duty to meet it. Our duty is not to be measured by the fact that we shall experience dangers, in whatever way that may be made known to us. It is in following the will of God; and encountering whatever trials may be in our way.

(d) "said to Paul" Acts 21:12 Verse 5. Had accomplished those days. When those days were passed.

They all brought us on our way. They attended us. Acts 15:3; Rom 15:24; 1Cor 16:6,11; 3Jn 1:6. This was an expression of tender attachment, and of a deep interest in the welfare of Paul and his fellow-travellers.

We kneeled down. Acts 20:36.

On the shore. Any place may be proper for prayer. Jn 4:21, also Jn 4:22-24. God is everywhere, and can as easily hear the prayer of the humble on the sea-shore as in the most magnificent temple. This is an instance, as well as that in Acts 20:36, where the apostle evidently prayed with the church without a form of prayer. No man can believe that he thus poured forth the desires of his heart at parting, and commended them to God, in a prescribed form of words. Besides that, there is not the least evidence that such a form was then used in the Christian church: scenes like this show more clearly than abstract arguments could do, that such a form was not needed, and would not be used. Paul and his fellow Christians, on the sand of the sea-shore, would pour forth the gushing emotions of their souls in language such as their circumstances would suggest, and such as such a scene would demand. And it is presumed to be impossible that any man can read this narrative in a dispassionate manner without believing that they offered an extempore prayer.

(*) "accomplished" "completed" (+) "brought" "conducted" (a) "kneeled" Acts 20:36