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 |
|---|---|---|
| Joel 2:28-29 | ...I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... | Prophecy for all people, including women. |
| Acts 2:17-18 | ...your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... | Peter quotes Joel, confirming the outpouring of Spirit and women's prophetic role. |
| Ex 15:20 | Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister... | Miriam as a notable OT prophetess. |
| Judg 4:4 | Deborah, a prophetess, was judging Israel at that time. | Deborah's dual role as judge and prophetess. |
| 2 Kgs 22:14 | So Hilkiah the priest... went to Huldah the prophetess... | Huldah giving divine revelation to the king and high priest. |
| Isa 8:3 | ...and I went to the prophetess... | Isaiah's wife recognized with a prophetic designation. |
| Luke 2:36-38 | And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel... she never left the temple... | Anna, a female prophet actively serving God in the temple. |
| 1 Cor 11:5 | But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head... | Acknowledgment of women praying and prophesying publicly. |
| 1 Cor 14:3 | But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. | Defines the purpose and nature of NT prophecy. |
| Rom 12:6 | Having then gifts differing according to the grace... prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith... | Prophecy listed as a spiritual gift. |
| 1 Cor 12:10 | ...to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits... | Prophecy as a charism from the Holy Spirit. |
| Eph 4:11 | And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets... | Prophecy as a foundational ministry in the church. |
| 1 Thes 5:20-21 | Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. | Exhortation to value and discern prophecy. |
| Acts 6:5 | And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip... | Philip's original selection as one of the seven deacons. |
| Acts 8:4-8 | Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. | Philip's successful evangelistic ministry. |
| Acts 8:26-40 | ...Philip opened his mouth... and preached Jesus to him. | Philip's key role in converting the Ethiopian eunuch. |
| 1 Cor 7:32-35 | ...that you may serve the Lord without distraction. | Potential spiritual advantages of an unmarried status for devoted service. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Spiritual equality in Christ, enabling diverse gift usage. |
| Col 3:11 | ...there is neither Greek nor Jew... bond nor free, male nor female... | All are equal recipients of God's grace and gifts, no earthly distinctions. |
| Acts 1:14 | These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women... | Women participating in early church gatherings and prayer. |
| Acts 13:1 | Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas... Simeon... Lucius... Manaen... and Saul. | The presence of prophets in other prominent early Christian communities. |
| Acts 19:6 | And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. | Connection between the Spirit's reception and prophetic activity. |
Acts 21 verses
Acts 21 9 Meaning
Acts 21:9 records that Philip the evangelist, residing in Caesarea, had four daughters who were unmarried and actively exercised the spiritual gift of prophecy. This verse provides significant insight into the participation of women in spiritual ministries within the early Christian community, particularly highlighting prophecy as a recognized and accepted role for them. It confirms the active work of the Holy Spirit distributing gifts indiscriminately.
Acts 21 9 Context
Acts 21:9 is embedded in the narrative of Paul's journey back to Jerusalem, marked by increasingly dire prophecies about the suffering he would face. While en route from Ephesus, Paul and his company stay for several days in Caesarea Maritima at the home of Philip the evangelist. This Philip is well-known from earlier in Acts, being one of the first seven deacons chosen by the apostles (Acts 6:5) and a dynamic evangelist instrumental in spreading the Gospel in Samaria and to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8). The mention of his four prophesying daughters occurs within this temporary dwelling, highlighting the spiritual vitality of Philip's household. It portrays an early Christian home actively engaged in ministry and serves as an important detail about the composition and giftedness of the early church community where Paul rested.
Acts 21 9 Word analysis
- He: Refers to Philip, explicitly identified as Philip the evangelist in Acts 21:8, distinct from Philip the Apostle. His role was primarily mission-focused.
- had: Greek:
eichen(εἶχεν). Imperfect tense ofechō(ἔχω), indicating ongoing possession or relationship. This was his established family circumstance. - four: Greek:
tessaras(τέσσαρας). A precise number emphasizing that all his daughters were known for this gift. - unmarried daughters: Greek:
thygateras parthenous(θυγατέρας παρθένους).- daughters:
thygateras. Acknowledges their biological relation to Philip. - unmarried:
parthenous. The Greek term specifically means 'virgins'. This status might imply a greater freedom to dedicate themselves wholly to spiritual service, unburdened by marital and family duties common in that society. This aligns with Paul's perspective on the practical benefits of singleness for undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Cor 7:32-35).
- daughters:
- who prophesied: Greek:
prophēteuousai(προφητεύουσαι). A present active participle ofprophēteuō(προφητεύω).- prophesied: Denotes a continuous, habitual practice. They weren't just capable, but were actively ministering through the Spirit. New Testament prophecy involved receiving and declaring messages from God that edified, exhorted, or comforted the church (1 Cor 14:3), distinct from predicting the future as a sole function. This directly exemplifies the fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel 2:28-29, which Peter declared in Acts 2:17-18, where the Holy Spirit empowers both sons and daughters to prophesy in the last days.
- "daughters who prophesied": This phrase highlights women's public and recognized spiritual leadership in a key New Testament gift.
Acts 21 9 Bonus section
Early church tradition, notably through Eusebius referencing Papias (a disciple of John), indicates that two of Philip's daughters moved to Hierapolis in Asia Minor. They were respected figures and sources for oral traditions concerning Jesus and the apostles. This suggests their prophetic ministry and influence extended beyond their home in Caesarea and endured into the second generation of Christianity, affirming their significant spiritual stature in early church history. The presence of such a spiritually vibrant household further supports the understanding of early Christian homes as centers of worship and ministry.
Acts 21 9 Commentary
Acts 21:9 offers a pivotal snapshot of early Christian life, affirming that women held prominent and active roles in the spiritual ministries of the nascent church. Philip's four unmarried daughters are not merely a domestic detail but are specifically identified by their ongoing exercise of the gift of prophecy. This directly testifies to the practical implementation of Joel's prophecy (quoted in Acts 2) that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all, empowering both men and women to declare God's word. Their unmarried status likely allowed them a unique liberty to commit themselves fully to this ministry without the common social and family constraints of the era. The significance of this verse is amplified by the fact that Luke, the author of Acts, mentions these women matter-of-factly, and Paul himself, known for his teaching on church order and gender roles, lodged with them without any indication of disapproval. This collectively underscores the acceptance and value placed upon Spirit-gifted women serving as prophets within the early Christian communities, underscoring that God distributes His gifts without gender-based limitations.