Acts 16:19 Meaning and Explanation
“And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Seeing their hope of profit gone with the spirit, the girl's owners seize Paul and Silas and drag them before the rulers in the marketplace.
What Does Acts 16:19 Mean?
The girl is delivered, but her masters see only ruined revenue. Luke's wording is pointed: the spirit went out of her, and with it their hope of gain went out. They lay hands on the two leading missionaries and haul them into the forum.
The first persecution of the gospel on European soil is provoked not by doctrine but by money, as it will be again at Ephesus (Acts 19:24-27). A girl's freedom meant nothing to these men beside their income. When Christ disrupts profitable evil, the profiteers strike back; the gospel exposes what hearts truly worship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 16:19
What does Acts 16:19 mean?
Seeing their hope of profit gone with the spirit, the girl's owners seize Paul and Silas and drag them before the rulers in the marketplace.