Acts 16:10
What does Acts 16:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:10 means
Upon seeing the vision, the team promptly seeks to go into Macedonia, concluding that God has called them to preach the gospel there. The shift to “we” shows Luke has joined the group. Their discernment is communal and reasoned; they weigh the vision with prior restraints and reach a shared conviction. Obedience is immediate because the call is clear. Their response models a balanced spirituality—sensitive to the Spirit, thoughtful in conclusion, and decisive in action. The goal is explicit: to preach. Divine guidance points not to comfort but to proclamation of Jesus. When God’s direction is plain, faith moves from contemplation to motion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when he had seen the vision, straight away we made the decision to go into Macedonia, for it seemed certain to us that God had sent us to give the good news to them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and when he saw the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go forth to Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord hath called us to preach good news to them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia: being assured that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go forth to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to announce to them the glad tidings.
Context
This verse closes the guidance section and opens the travel narrative into Europe. Having concluded God’s call, they sail in verse 11 and arrive in Philippi by verse 12. The mention of preaching anticipates the encounters that follow: a riverside prayer meeting leading to Lydia’s conversion (verses 13–15), and later the dramatic events with the slave girl and the jailer (verses 16–34).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 2:12
Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord,
- Acts 20:5
But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.
- Acts 16:10
And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto them.
- Acts 26:13
at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.
- Proverbs 3:27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
- Acts 10:29
wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me.
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