Acts 16:18 kjv
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 nkjv
And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour.
Acts 16:18 niv
She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
Acts 16:18 esv
And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
Acts 16:18 nlt
This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her.
Acts 16 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 1:27 | They were all amazed... “He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” | Jesus' authority over spirits affirmed. |
| Lk 4:36 | "What a word this is! For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits..." | Power of Christ's word over spirits. |
| Mk 16:17 | "And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons..." | Believers empowered to cast out demons. |
| Lk 10:17 | The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" | Disciples' authority through Christ's name. |
| Jn 14:13 | "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." | Power of prayer and command in Christ's name. |
| Jn 16:23 | "Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." | Emphasizes Christ's name as channel of power. |
| Col 3:17 | "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus..." | Everything to be done by Christ's authority. |
| Phil 2:9-10 | "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." | Supremacy and power of Jesus' name. |
| Acts 3:6 | "But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”" | Healing authority in Jesus' name. |
| Acts 4:10 | "let it be known to all... that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth... this man is standing before you well." | Deliverance and healing through Jesus' name. |
| Acts 4:12 | "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved.”" | The saving power and unique authority of Christ. |
| Jas 2:19 | "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!" | Demons recognize and fear divine authority. |
| Jas 4:7 | "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." | Spiritual resistance and its effect. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion..." | Spiritual enemy is real and active. |
| Eph 6:12 | "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." | Battle against spiritual entities. |
| Isa 47:12-14 | "Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have toiled...Let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens..." | Idolatry and pagan practices exposed as powerless. |
| Jer 14:14 | "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name...prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination..." | False prophecy and divination condemned. |
| Lev 19:31 | "Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them..." | Old Testament prohibition against divination. |
| Deut 18:10-12 | "There shall not be found among you...anyone who practices divination...for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord." | OT condemnation of occult practices. |
| Mt 7:22 | "On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’" | Emphasizes proper source of authority for spiritual works. |
| Rom 8:37-39 | "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us... nor powers, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." | Victory over spiritual powers through Christ. |
Acts 16 verses
Acts 16 18 Meaning
Acts 16:18 describes a pivotal moment of spiritual confrontation and deliverance. For "many days," a slave girl possessed by a "spirit of divination" followed Paul and his companions, declaring their ministry, though with a demonic source. Eventually, Paul, deeply vexed by this spiritual oppression and its interference, turned and commanded the spirit in the supreme authority of Jesus Christ to depart from her. The spirit instantly obeyed and left the girl, demonstrating the superior power of Christ over demonic forces and marking a direct challenge to the prevalent pagan occult practices of Philippi. This act highlighted the divine authority underpinning the apostolic message and set the stage for subsequent persecution due to the financial loss incurred by the girl's owners.
Acts 16 18 Context
Acts chapter 16 begins with Paul, Silas, and Timothy journeying through Asia Minor, strengthened by the churches. Guided by the Holy Spirit's intervention through a vision of a "man of Macedonia," they arrive in Philippi, a significant Roman colony in Europe. Here, they engage in ministry, initially finding a group of women, including Lydia, who becomes the first convert in Europe. The city's context is pagan, marked by Roman governance and traditional Greek practices, including divination. The slave girl possessed by a pneuma pythōnos (a spirit of divination, literally "python spirit" associated with the oracle of Delphi) consistently followed Paul and his companions for an unspecified period. She loudly declared, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." While her words were factually true, their source was demonic, and they served to discredit or complicate Paul's message, as if associating it with pagan oracular pronouncements. Paul's act of casting out the spirit occurs after "many days" of this persistent, public, and annoying spiritual interference. This sets the stage for a conflict, not with the populace, but with the girl's owners who profit from her demonic abilities, leading to Paul and Silas's arrest and imprisonment.
Acts 16 18 Word analysis
- And this she did for many days: The phrase "many days" (Greek: pleionas hemeras, πλείoνας ἡμέρας) highlights the persistent nature of the demonic harassment. It suggests Paul tolerated this for a time, perhaps allowing the girl's actions to serve as a public, if distorted, announcement of their presence, or awaiting God's timing, or simply demonstrating the persistent and oppressive nature of the demonic presence before acting. This protracted period underlines the burden on Paul and the deep-seated nature of the spiritual problem.
- But Paul, greatly annoyed: The Greek term dialepestheis (διαλεχθεὶς), translated "greatly annoyed" or "exasperated," signifies a deep-seated vexation, not mere irritation. It suggests Paul was worn down, wearied, or distressed by the continuous demonic proclamation. This emotional response from an apostle highlights the burdensome reality of spiritual warfare and the human aspect of engaging with persistent evil. It implies the spiritual weariness that such constant, subtle opposition can inflict.
- turned and said to the spirit: This signifies a decisive shift. Paul stops tolerating and directly confronts the spiritual entity behind the girl. The address is explicitly "to the spirit," distinguishing the possessor from the possessed person, reinforcing the belief in a distinct demonic entity.
- “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ: This is the authoritative core of the deliverance.
- I command you: (Greek: paratassomai, παρατάσσομαι - a strong imperative derived from a word meaning "to draw up in battle array" or "to set in order"). Paul uses direct, unwavering spiritual authority. This is not a suggestion or a request but a decisive order.
- in the name of Jesus Christ: This phrase is critical. Paul's authority is not his own, but derives entirely from the person and work of Jesus Christ. "The name" signifies the very presence, power, and authority of Christ Himself. It demonstrates that Christ's victory over all powers is the basis for believers' spiritual authority (Phil 2:9-11; Col 2:15).
- to come out of her: A direct and clear directive for expulsion, aiming for immediate deliverance. The verb ekporeuomai (ἐκπορεύομαι) is the standard term for a spirit's departure.
- And it came out that very hour: The outcome confirms the divine authority exercised by Paul. "That very hour" (Greek: auto tē hōra, αὐτῷ τῇ ὥρᾳ) indicates an immediate, complete, and undeniable expulsion of the spirit. There was no struggle or delay, affirming the absolute supremacy of Christ's name.
Acts 16 18 Bonus section
- Ethical Dimension: This verse highlights the profound immorality of exploiting human beings (in this case, a slave girl) for financial gain, especially when such exploitation involves a spiritual affliction. The girl was a commodity to her masters because of her "gift" of divination, not a person deserving help. Paul's act, while spiritual, had immediate ethical and social consequences by liberating her from both demonic bondage and, by extension, from being a source of profit through that bondage.
- The "Python Spirit": The specific Greek term for the spirit, pneuma pythōnos, directly links to the Pythian oracle at Delphi, a highly revered pagan site in the ancient world. This specific reference is a powerful subversion: the authority invoked by Paul (Jesus Christ) directly eclipses one of the most significant pagan spiritual powers recognized at the time, indicating the universality of Christ's dominion.
- Impact on Philippi: Paul's act was not just an individual deliverance; it struck at the heart of an economic enterprise supported by pagan superstition. This helps explain the swift and severe reaction from the girl's masters and, subsequently, the city magistrates, leading to Paul and Silas's unjust imprisonment. It exemplifies how the gospel often confronts not just spiritual but also socio-economic structures reliant on darkness.
Acts 16 18 Commentary
Acts 16:18 presents a profound lesson in spiritual authority and confrontation. Paul's initial restraint for "many days" could indicate a strategic pause—allowing the demonic nature of the girl's pronouncements to become evident, for the public to observe the persistent, unhelpful nature of the "spirit of divination," or perhaps waiting for divine leading before a public confrontation that would have severe ramifications for the slave girl's masters. His eventual "great annoyance" reveals the deep spiritual burden and mental anguish imposed by constant demonic presence. This was not mere human irritation, but a spiritual vexation prompting an authoritative, rather than a tolerant, response.
The core of the verse lies in Paul's command: "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ." This declaration underscores that the power in spiritual warfare does not originate from human ability, technique, or even apostolic gifting in itself, but solely from the supreme authority inherent in the name and person of Jesus Christ. This name represents His full power, sovereignty, and triumph over all spiritual principalities and powers (Col 2:15, Eph 1:21). The explicit distinction between Paul's agency and Christ's authority is crucial; believers are merely vessels through whom Christ's power is manifest. The immediate departure of the spirit "that very hour" unequivocally validates Christ's power and demonstrates the efficacy of true spiritual authority. This public exorcism was a direct theological and practical polemic against the pervasive pagan occultism and idolatry prevalent in Philippi, proving the futility of local spiritual powers compared to the Living God. This deliverance also served as a catalyst for severe persecution, revealing that genuine spiritual victory often precedes intensified opposition.