Acts 16:17
What does Acts 16:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:17 means
The girl follows Paul’s group, crying that they are servants of the Most High God who proclaim the way of salvation. Her words are true, but the source is deceptive and disruptive. God does not seek endorsement from demons; their testimony confuses more than clarifies. The message’s truth must be joined to God’s appointed messengers and timing. The persistent shouting distracts from thoughtful hearing of the gospel. Satan sometimes opposes the work by noisy affirmation that disorients the audience. Paul endures this for many days, showing patience before acting. The scene reveals the clash between the kingdom’s advance and spiritual forces seeking to derail it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949She came after Paul and us, crying out and saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who are giving you news of the way of salvation.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862she having followed Paul and us, was crying, saying, `These men are servants of the Most High God, who declare to us a way of salvation;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This same following Paul and us, cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the Most High God, who preach unto you the way of salvation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890She, having followed Paul and us, cried saying, These men are bondmen of the Most HighGod, who announce to you [the] way of salvation.
Context
This verse builds tension from the encounter in verse 16. The ongoing disturbance sets up Paul’s decisive command in verse 18, where he addresses the spirit, not the girl. The deliverance will remove the masters’ source of income, triggering the accusation in verse 19 and the legal proceedings that escalate into beating and imprisonment (verses 20–24).
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.
v.17This passage
v.18And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 22:16
And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men.
- Acts 16:30
and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
- Daniel 4:2
It hath seemed good unto me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God hath wrought toward me.
- Daniel 5:18
O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:
- Luke 4:41
And demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, he suffered them not to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
- Micah 6:6
Wherewith shall I come before Jehovah, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 16
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 16.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
What the Bible says about…