Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:18
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.
18. this did she many days ] Whether this following took place only on the sabbaths, when the Apostles were going to the place of prayer, in which case the Apostles must have remained in Philippi some weeks, or whether it was on every occasion on which they appeared in public, we are not told.
Paul, being grieved ] The Greek verb is somewhat stronger, and signifies “to be thoroughly worn out with annoyance.” It is used (Act 4:2), and nowhere else but here besides in N. T., of the annoyance of the priests and Sadducees at the teaching of the Apostles.
said to the spirit ] As Christ had acted when on earth, so Paul now will not allow the cry of the evil spirit, even though the words proclaim that he and his companions are servants of the Most High God. So in Christ’s name he bids the evil power come forth.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But Paul, being grieved – Being molested, troubled, offended. Paul was grieved, probably:
- Because her presence was troublesome to him;
- Because it might be said that he was in alliance with her, and that his pretensions were just like hers;
- Because what she did was for the sake of gain, and was a base imposition;
- Because her state was one of bondage and delusion, and it was proper to free her from this demoniacal possession; and,
- Because the system under which she was acting was a part of a scheme of delusion and imposture, which had spread over a large portion of the pagan world, and which was then holding it in bondage.
Throughout the Roman empire the inspiration of the priestesses of Apollo was believed in, and temples were everywhere reared to perpetuate and celebrate the delusion. Against this extensive system of imposture and fraud Christianity must oppose itself; and this was a favorable instance to expose the delusion, and to show the power of the Christian religion over all the arts and powers of imposture. The mere fact that in a very few instances – of which this was one – they spoke the truth, did not make it improper for Paul to interpose. That fact would only tend to perpetuate the delusion, and to make his interposition more proper and necessary. The expulsion of the evil spirit would also afford a signal proof of the fact that the apostles were really from God a far better proof than her noisy and troublesome proclamation of it would furnish.
In the name of Jesus Christ – Or, by the authority of Jesus Christ. See the notes on Act 3:6.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. Paul, being grieved] Probably for the reasons assigned above.
Turned-to the spirit] Not to the woman; she was only the organ by which the spirit acted.
I command thee, in the name of Jesus] Jesus is the Saviour; Satan is Abaddon and Apollyon, the destroyer. The sovereign Saviour says to the destroyer, Come out of her; and he came out in the same hour. Every circumstance of this case proves it to have been a real possession. We have already had several opportunities of remarking the great accuracy of St. Luke in his accounts of demoniacs: his education as a physician gave him advantages to detect imposture of this kind where it subsisted; but he sees none in this case. He speaks of the spirit and the damsel as distinct persons. The damsel had a spirit of divination. Paul turned to the spirit, and said, I command THEE to come out of HER; and he came out in the same hour. Had not St. Luke considered this as a real case of diabolic possession, he has made use of the most improper language he could choose; language and forms of speech calculated to deceive all his readers, and cause them to believe a lie. But it is impossible that the holy apostle could do so, because he was a good man; and it is not likely he could be deceived by a parcel of charlatans, because he was a wise man; and it would be absurd to suppose that, while he was under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he could be imposed on by the cunning of even the devil himself.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
St. Paul was grieved, either for the maids sake, who suffered so much by her being possessed with this spirit, or, for their sakes who were seduced by him. St. Paul (as our Saviour had done, Mar 1:25) refuseth the testimony of the devil; for he being the father of lies, Joh 8:44, makes every thing he says to be suspected; as it is a usual punishment of liars, that they are not believed when they speak the truth; and the devil never speaks any truth but with an intention to deceive.
In the name of Jesus Christ; by the authority and power of Christ.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18. Paul being grievedfor thepoor victim; grieved to see such power possessed by the enemy ofman’s salvation, and grieved to observe the malignant design withwhich this high testimony was borne to Christ.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And this she did many days,…. As the apostle and his company passed to and from the oratory, being for that time at Lydia’s house; she followed them, and repeated the above words. This she was suffered to do, time after time; not that the apostle and his friends wanted such a testimony, or that it was of any use to them; but that the expulsion of the evil spirit might be more manliest, and more taken notice of:
but Paul being grieved; at the unhappy condition the maid was in, being possessed with such a spirit: and that the people were so imposed upon and deluded by it; and that it should be thought that there was any combination and agreement between that and him:
turned; himself to her, who was behind him, she following him, as is said in the preceding verse; this is left out in the Syriac version:
and said to the spirit; or to that spirit, as the same version renders it; to the spirit of Python, or Apollo, or of divination, that was in the maid; the Ethiopic version reads, “and he said”, “in”, or “by the Holy Spirit”; being under a more than ordinary influence and impulse of his; but not the spirit by which he spake, but the spirit to which he spake, is here meant:
I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her, and he came out the same hour; this is an instance of that power which Christ gave to his apostles to cast out devils in his name, Mt 10:1
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
She did (). Imperfect active, kept it up for many days. The strange conduct gave Paul and the rest an unpleasant prominence in the community.
Being sore troubled (). First aorist passive of , old verb, to work laboriously, then in passive to be “worked up,” displeased, worn out. In the N.T. only here and 4:2 which see (there of the Sadducees about Peter’s preaching). Paul was grieved, annoyed, indignant. He wanted no testimony from a source like this any more than he did the homage of the people of Lystra (14:14).
That very hour ( ). Locative case of time and familiar Lukan idiom in his Gospel, “at the hour itself.” The cure was instantaneous. Paul, like Jesus, distinguished between the demon and the individual.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Grieved [] . Not strong enough. Rather, worn out. Both grieved at the sad condition of the woman, and thoroughly annoyed and indignant at the continued demonstrations of the evil spirit which possessed her. Compare ch. 4 2.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And this did she many days,” (touto de epoiei epi pollas hemeras) “Then this she did day after day,” or day upon day, continuing many days, repeatedly – witnessing of the salvation that Paul and Silas preached to deliver her from the python-like venom of the spirit of the devil, Joh 3:14-16.
2) “But Paul being grieved,” (diaponetheis de Paulos) “Then Paul becoming greatly troubled,” or became seriously troubled, with grief, pain and anger, at what the demon power had done and was doing to the slave girl.
3) “Turned and said to the spirit,” (kai epistrepsas to pneumati eipen) “And turning to the spirit he said,” in a direct address, imperatively:
4) “I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ,” (parangello soi en onomati lesou Christou) “I charge you (individually or personally) in the name (by the authority) of Jesus Christ,” as directed in the Scriptures, Mar 5:8; Col 3:17.
5) “To come out of her.” (ekselthein ap autes) “To come out and away from domination of her,” much as the Lord directed demon spirits, Mat 12:43; Mat 17:18; and as further witnessed by Luke, the medical doctor, Luk 10:17.
6) “And he came out the same hour.” (kai ekselthen aute te hora) “And he came out (and away from domination of her) in the very same hour,” as he did from the demon father of Gadara, who was instructed to go home and tell his friends what great things from the Lord, had happened to him, in liberating him, saving him, setting him free from demon possession, subjection, Luk 8:26-39; Joh 8:36.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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18. Paul took it grievously. It may be that at the first Paul neglected, and did not greatly regard the crying of the maid, because he hoped that there would be no account made thereof, and had rather that it should vanish away of itself. But the continual repetition doth at length make him weary; because, if he had any long dissembled, Satan would have waxed more and more insolent through his silence and patience. Secondly, he ought not to have broken out into this prohibition rashly, until he knew for a certainty that he was furnished with the power of God. For Paul’s commandment − (196) had been foolish and vain without the commandment of God. And this must be noted, lest any man condemn Paul of too great hastiness, because he encountered so valiantly with the unclean spirit. For he did not conceive any grief or indignation, save only that he saw that the stability of Satan would increase, unless he did betimes prevent it; neither did he attempt any thing without the motion of the Spirit; neither did he enter the conflict until he was armed with power from heaven. Notwithstanding, he seemeth to be contrary to himself, seeing that he saith elsewhere that he rejoiceth upon what occasion soever he see the gospel preached, ( Phi 1:18,) even by wicked men, and such as did study of set purpose to bring him in contempt. I answer, that he had another more apt reason for himself in this place; − (197) because all men would have thought that the spirit of the maid had played with Paul; − (198) so that by that means the doctrine of the gospel should not only have come in [into] suspicion, but should also have come into great contempt. − (199) And to this end was it that Christ also did command the devil to hold his peace, ( Mar 1:25,) whereas notwithstanding he suffered his name to be extolled by unmeet and unworthy men, ( Luk 4:35.) −
I command thee. We must note the form of speech; for as the miracle was about to have a double use, namely, that the power of Christ might be known; secondly, that he might declare that he had no fellowship with Satan’s jugglings; so Paul, in giving the authority and power to Christ alone, doth declare that he is only a minister; that done, he doth openly set Christ against the devil, − (200) to the end that, by the conflict, all men may see that they be deadly enemies. For it was profitable that many should be awaked who had been given to such gross seducing, that being well purged, they might come to the true faith. −
(196) −
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Impreccatio,” impreccation, anathema.
(197) −
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Hic diversam rationem,” that here there was a different reason.
(198) −
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Colludere puellae daemonum cum Paulo,” that the demon of the damsel was in collision with Paul.
(199) −
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Sed recidisset in merum ludibrium,” but became a mere laughing-stock.
(200) −
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Opponit Christum daemoni,” he opposes Christ to the demon.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(18) But Paul, being grieved . . .It is obvious that the constant repetition of these clamorous cries must have been a hindrance to the Apostles work, disturbing him as he talked to the other women at the proseucha. Was it not right for him to do as his Master had done with the demoniacs of Gadara (see Notes on Mat. 8:28-34), and to restore the woman to her true self, by teaching her to distinguish between her longing for deliverance and the wild passions that hindered her from attaining it? And so he spoke, and the evil spirit came out the same hour. Here the history ends, as far as the damsel was concerned; but we can hardly think that she was left to drift back into ignorance and unbelief. Would not such a one find shelter and comfort at the hands of the women who laboured with the Apostle? (Php. 4:2.) May we not think of her gratitude as showing itself in the gifts that were sent to the Apostle, upon whom she had unwillingly brought so much suffering? (Php. 4:15.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. Many days During which the apostles went to the proseucha, at the river side. Thereby we understand that the Gospel was for a length of time dispensed; a Philippian Church was being formed, and the doctrine of the way of salvation had so rung through the city that when the masters at last appealed to the populace against them as introducers of a new religion the mob was cognizant and ready to spring.
Come out he came out The language of both Paul and Luke implies beyond question that a foreign being possessed her frame. This case may answer the question, How is it that demoniac possession is unknown out of Palestine and out of the time of our Saviour’s life? Underlying all the falsehood and deception of heathen myths and oracles, there was a demoniac element. In the frenzy of the bacchanals, the corybantes, and the pythonesses, there was a true possession, modified by the nature of that dispensation. (See specially our note on Mar 5:2.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And this she did for many days.’
The party may not have been too aware of it at first. If the streets were noisy and busy they may not have taken too much notice of what she cried and thought of her as just some poor mad girl, seeing it wise to ignore her. It would not be the first time they had been yelled at. There were many strange people about. And as her mouth never moved they might have found it difficult to identify where the cries were coming from. It was just the kind of thing that a heckler might yell. It was best ignored.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
‘But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, “I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.’
But at some stage Paul became distressed at her activity, and it took a lot to upset Paul. It may be that it had come to his notice that people were saying things and that it was getting them a bad reputation. Lydia may have mentioned that the girl was well known and have gathered from comments that she was hindering the ministry. Or it may be that he had gradually identified the source of the cries, and from being used to them had come to a point of feeling sorry for her, and upset at her condition. Or it may be that God brought home to him the power of evil at work through the girl. It is not really likely that he was just annoyed because he was exasperated. Something deeper than that is called for here, something sufficient to make him decide to confront this spirit. It is the first time we actually learn of him seeking to cast out an evil spirit, and while it had no doubt happened (compare the signs and wonders of Act 14:3; Act 15:12. But there they ‘laid hands on’ people and spirits were never dealt with in that way) it was not something he was constantly used to. But now he felt impelled, and turning, ordered the spirit to come out of her.
Once he did really become aware of the details of the situation, he would recognise that he must enable all to see that this spirit was indeed contrary to Jesus and His ways. He could not allow anyone to be in doubt that this spirit must not be seen as having Jesus’ approval in any way, and could not even be accepted as being a rival or as having a parallel ministry. It had to be made clear once and for all that this spirit, and all like it, were in total contrast with Jesus. Thus he cast it out in the Name of Jesus Christ, thus stressing the total opposition of the One to the other, and revealing that Jesus was more powerful than Apollo.
So in the end Paul turned to the spirit and charged it in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of the woman. And to everyone’s astonishment the spirit came out and she was made whole. They had never experienced anything like it before, not with a girl empowered by the Python. Thus here in Philippi the power of the name of Jesus Christ was seen to be as effective as in Galilee and Judaea in the subjugation of evil spirits. They were just as much subject to Him in Europe as in Palestine. One blessing would come from this among many. We need not doubt that here was another candidate for the infant church in Philippi.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 16:18. But Paul, being grieved, He might imagine that if the Gentiles believed the testimony of the woman, it might invalidate his doctrine and miracles; and by leading them to suppose that there was a confederacy between them and the evil spirit, it might make the one to be esteemed the effect of magic, and the other no better than the doctrine of devils. He could not but be persuaded, that if the Jews heard of this testimony, it might have a bad influence upon their minds, and make them entertain a suspicion of St. Paul and his associates, for having the approbation and praise of the prince of darkness. The dispossession of the damsel wholly obviated all those inconveniences.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
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.
Ver. 18. Paul being grieved ] Paul took no joy in such a testimony. High words become not a fool. To be praised by a praiseless person is no praise at all.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
18. ] Not mere annoyance is expressed by this word, but rather holy indignation and sorrow at what he saw and heard; the Christian soldier was goaded to the attack, but the mere satisfaction of anger was not the object, any more than the result, of the stroke. It is doubtful here, in mere grammar, whether the dat. is to be constructed with or with . But considering 1) that the spirit could hardly be the object of a bodily movement on the part of the Apostle, except as represented by the possessed damsel, and 2) that is never elsewhere found with a dative, but always with a preposition, or or , it is much the best to take with , and believe it to be thrown forward before its verb for the sake of emphasis.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 16:18 . , only here and in Act 4:2 in N.T.; its use in LXX in two passages only does not help us much, see Act 4:2 , and in classics it is not used in the sense required here. Aquila uses it four times of the Hebrew in passages which show that the word may combine the ideas of grief, pain, and anger, Gen 6:6 ; Gen 34:7 , 1Sa 20:3 ; 1Sa 20:34 . It may be noticed that the word and other compounds of are frequent in medical writers. , see on Act 1:4 . The same strong word is used of our Lord, Luk 8:29 , where He charged another unclean spirit to come out. , see above on Act 3:6 , “Demonology,” Hastings’ B.D., where reference is made to Sayce, Hibbert Lect. , pp. 302 347, as to the belief in the powerful efficacy of the name , the name meaning to an ancient Semite personal power and existence. : the phrase occurs in Luke much more frequently than in any other N.T. writer; nine times in his Gospel of the coming out of evil spirits, as here. Rendall sees in the phrase the medical accuracy of the writer in describing the process of the cure; the evil spirit must not only come out, but depart, pp. 104, 280; it must however be remembered that St. Matthew uses the same phrase twice of the departure of evil spirits from men, Mat 12:43 , Mat 17:18 . Paul charges the evil spirit to depart; it departed, and with it departed the master’s hope of gain (see also Weiss, in loco ). : “that very hour,” R.V., cf. Act 22:13 , eo ipso tempore ; peculiar to Luke, cf. Luk 2:38 ; Luk 10:21 ; Luk 12:12 ; Luk 20:19 ; Luk 24:33 (so too Friedrich, p. 37). We are not told anything further of the history of the girl, but we may well believe that she too would partake of the generous help of Lydia, and of the other Christian women at Philippi, who would see in her no longer a bondservant to the many lords who had had dominion over her, but a sister beloved in the One Lord.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
did = was doing.
many = for (Greek. epi. App-104.) many.
grieved = worn out with annoyance. Greek. diaponeomai. Only here and Act 4:2.
command. Greek. parangello. See note on Act 1:4.
the name. See note on Act 2:38.
Jesus Christ. App-98.
out of = out from. Greek. apo. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
18. ] Not mere annoyance is expressed by this word, but rather holy indignation and sorrow at what he saw and heard; the Christian soldier was goaded to the attack, but the mere satisfaction of anger was not the object, any more than the result, of the stroke. It is doubtful here, in mere grammar, whether the dat. is to be constructed with or with . But considering 1) that the spirit could hardly be the object of a bodily movement on the part of the Apostle, except as represented by the possessed damsel, and 2) that is never elsewhere found with a dative, but always with a preposition, or or , it is much the best to take with , and believe it to be thrown forward before its verb for the sake of emphasis.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 16:18. , being grieved) in reference to his own honour, through his shrinking from it: in reference to the Divine honour, through love of it.- , out of her) It is probable that this maid was converted.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
being: Act 14:13-15, Mar 1:25, Mar 1:26, Mar 1:34
I command: Act 3:6, Act 9:34, Act 19:12-17, Mar 9:25, Mar 9:26, Mar 16:17, Luk 9:1, Luk 10:17-19, Col 2:15
Reciprocal: Mat 9:22 – from Mat 17:18 – rebuked Mar 3:12 – General Mar 5:8 – General Luk 4:35 – Jesus Luk 4:41 – Thou Joh 14:12 – the Act 3:16 – his Act 5:12 – by Act 16:16 – possessed Act 19:11 – General Act 19:15 – General Rom 15:19 – mighty 1Co 5:4 – the name 1Co 9:1 – I not an
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 16:18. Paul became tired of being hounded by this troublesome person. Said to the spirit. Whatever faculty she had -of an extraordinary kind was what Paul commanded to leave the damsel, so that she would not have ability to mislead the people.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 16:18. I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. In My Name, said the Lord (Mar 16:17), shall they cast out devils. It is noticeable how differently such acts as these were performed by the Master and His servants. Christ worked His miracles in His own sovereign power; the apostles worked theirs only in the name of Jesus.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 16
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
16:18 And this did she {g} 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.
(g) Paul made no haste to do this miracle, for he did all things only as he was led by the Spirit.