Acts 21:9 kjv
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
Acts 21:9 nkjv
Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
Acts 21:9 niv
He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
Acts 21:9 esv
He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
Acts 21:9 nlt
He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
Acts 21 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 6:5 | Philip, full of faith and the Holy Spirit | Philip's calling |
| Acts 8:5-13 | Philip's ministry in Samaria | Philip's evangelism |
| Acts 8:26-40 | Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch | Philip's missionary work |
| Acts 21:8 | Paul and his companions lodge with Philip | Arrival in Caesarea |
| Acts 11:28 | Agabus prophesies famine | Prophecy in the early church |
| 1 Cor 12:4-11 | Diversity of spiritual gifts | Gifts of the Spirit |
| 1 Cor 12:28 | God has appointed apostles, prophets, teachers... | Roles in the church |
| Eph 4:11 | Gifts given to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists... | Building up the body of Christ |
| 1 Thess 5:20 | Do not despise prophecies | Value of prophecy |
| 1 John 4:1 | Test the spirits, whether they are from God | Discernment of spirits |
| Num 12:6 | God speaks through prophets | Prophetic communication |
| Joel 2:28-29 | Spirit poured out, sons and daughters will prophesy | Fulfillment of Joel |
| Matt 10:41 | Reward for a prophet | Honor for prophets |
| Luke 1:70 | God promised to raise up prophets | Old Testament fulfillment |
| Luke 2:36-38 | Anna the prophetess | Prophetic women in scripture |
| Acts 13:1 | Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, Saul as prophets and teachers | Prophets in Antioch |
| Acts 15:32 | Judas and Silas, also prophets | Prophecy in the Jerusalem council |
| Rom 12:6 | Having gifts differing according to the grace given us | Gifts and grace |
| 1 Cor 14:3 | One who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening... | Purpose of prophecy |
| Rev 19:10 | Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy | Prophecy and Christ |
| Prov 29:18 | Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained | Importance of prophecy |
| 1 Sam 10:6 | Spirit of the Lord will empower you and you will prophesy | Prophecy by empowerment |
| Ex 15:20 | Miriam, a prophetess, took a timbrel | Female prophet in OT |
Acts 21 verses
Acts 21 9 Meaning
This verse describes Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts chapter 6, as having four virgin daughters who prophesied. It highlights their spiritual gifts and their ministry of prophecy.
Acts 21 9 Context
The Apostle Paul is traveling with Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy towards Jerusalem. They are visiting the home of Philip the evangelist in Caesarea. Philip had been a significant figure in the early spread of the Gospel, particularly through his work in Samaria and his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. The mention of his four prophetic daughters occurs as Paul is staying with him, preparing for his impending visit to Jerusalem, which is fraught with potential danger as foretold by the prophet Agabus earlier in the chapter. This context highlights the spiritual vitality and giftedness within the early church, even within a household.
Acts 21 9 Word Analysis
and: (kai - Greek) A common conjunction, connecting the clause about Philip's daughters.
four: (tessáras - Greek) The number indicating the specific quantity of Philip's daughters.
daughters: (thygatéres - Greek) Offspring of the female sex, referring specifically to Philip's children.
who: (hōtines - Greek) A relative pronoun introducing a description of the daughters.
were: (ēn - Greek) Indicative imperfect form of the verb "to be," signifying a continuing state or condition.
virgins: (parthenoi - Greek) Unmarried women, emphasizing their purity or perhaps unmarried status at that time.
who: (hōtines - Greek) Again, a relative pronoun, further describing the daughters.
prophesied: (prophēteuó - Greek) To speak forth or utter divinely inspired utterances.
Philip the evangelist: This identifies the father, known for his evangelistic ministry as recorded earlier in Acts.
four virgin daughters: This phrase specifically notes the number and condition of his daughters, all possessing the gift of prophecy.
Acts 21 9 Bonus Section
The text highlights a notable aspect of women exercising spiritual gifts in the early church, specifically prophecy. This aligns with Old Testament precedent, where prophetesses like Miriam (Exodus 15:20) and Deborah (Judges 4:4) played significant roles. The Apostle Peter's words in Acts 2:17-18, quoting Joel, explicitly foretell a time when God's Spirit would be poured out on all flesh, and "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." The presence of Philip's daughters exemplifies this New Testament fulfillment, showing women actively ministering under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, contributing to the church's edification and understanding of God's will.
Acts 21 9 Commentary
Philip, a foundational figure in the spread of the Gospel, demonstrates that spiritual gifts are not limited to men nor to those in public leadership roles. His daughters, living within the home, actively participated in the church's life through prophecy. This signifies the pervasive nature of the Holy Spirit's empowering, making prophecy a reality in the domestic sphere and among women. Their prophetic ability would have offered encouragement and potentially guidance within the Christian community, echoing the broader prophetic tradition in Scripture, including figures like Miriam and Anna. Their ministry underscores the inclusivity of God's Spirit, which empowers both men and women to speak His word.