Acts 16:15
What does Acts 16:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:15 means
Lydia responds in baptism, and her household follows with her. She then urges the missionaries to stay at her home, appealing to their judgment of her faithfulness to the Lord. Her hospitality is both a fruit of faith and a strategic support for the mission. Luke’s note that “she constrained us” portrays earnest generosity. A new believer immediately becomes a partner in gospel work, opening her resources to Christ’s servants. Her house will likely serve as the first meeting place for believers in Philippi. The pattern is clear: God opens the heart; faith responds; baptism seals; hospitality sustains; the church takes root in a home.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when she and her family had had baptism, she made a request to us, saying, If it seems to you that I am true to the Lord, come into my house and be my guests. And she made us come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and when she was baptized, and her household, she did call upon us, saying, `If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, having entered into my house, remain;' and she constrained us.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there. And she constrained us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when she had been baptised and her house, 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.
Context
This verse completes the Lydia scene that began at the river. With a home base established, the narrative will pivot to confrontation in verse 16 as Paul encounters a slave girl with a spirit of divination. The contrast between a willing hostess and oppressive masters sets the stage for deliverance, backlash, and the surprising path to the jailer’s conversion later in the chapter.
v.14And 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.
v.15This passage
v.16And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 4:8
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
- 1 Peter 5:12
By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I accounthim, I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand ye fast therein.
- Philippians 1:7
even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.
- Genesis 33:11
Take, I pray thee, my gift that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it.
- Acts 11:14
who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.
- Genesis 19:3
And he urged them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
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