Acts 16:14
What does Acts 16:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:14 means
Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira and a worshipper of God, listens as Paul speaks. The Lord opens her heart to pay attention to the message. Her profession suggests prosperity and influence, yet her greatest need is the gospel. Luke attributes her response to God’s initiative—He opens hearts so that people truly hear. Lydia’s attentive faith exemplifies how salvation is by grace and through the word. Though from Asia Minor, she meets the Savior in Europe, highlighting God’s far-reaching plan. Christ’s lordship extends over commerce and culture, and He gathers His people in unexpected places, turning seekers into saints and hosts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And a certain woman named Lydia, a trader in purple cloth of the town of Thyatira, and a God-fearing woman, gave ear to us: whose heart the Lord made open to give attention to the things which Paul was saying.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, worshipping God, was hearing, whose heart the Lord did open to attend to the things spoken by Paul;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshippedGod, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul.
Context
After the riverside gathering, verse 14 zooms in on Lydia’s conversion. God’s opening of her heart prepares for immediate obedience in verse 15, where she and her household are baptized and her home becomes a ministry hub. This gentle beginning contrasts with the coming opposition sparked by the deliverance of a slave girl in verses 16–18, showing the gospel’s varied inroads.
v.13And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together.
v.14This passage
v.15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
- Acts 18:7
And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
- Ephesians 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;
- James 1:16
Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.
- Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
- Isaiah 50:5
The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.
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