Acts 16:19
What does Acts 16:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:19 means
When the masters see their hope of profit vanish, they seize Paul and Silas and drag them before the city authorities. Greed, not concern for truth, drives their outrage. Economic loss often unmasks allegiance: the gospel’s liberating power threatens systems built on exploitation. Public humiliation in the marketplace aims to pressure the magistrates and sway opinion. Here the cost of ministry becomes visible; faithfulness can bring one into conflict with entrenched interests. The clash is not merely theological but social, as the kingdom of God confronts idols of gain. Paul and Silas, instruments of freedom, are treated as disturbers of the peace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they took Paul and Silas, pulling them into the market-place before the rulers;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And her masters having seen that the hope of their employment was gone, having caught Paul and Silas, drew <FI>them<Fi> to the market-place, unto the rulers,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, apprehending Paul and Silas, brought them into the market place to the rulers.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And her masters, seeing that the hope of their gains was gone, having seized Paul and Silas, dragged [them] into the market before the magistrates;
Context
This verse follows the deliverance of the slave girl and transitions to legal proceedings. Verses 20–21 present the formal accusations, casting the missionaries as dangerous foreigners subverting Roman customs. The charges inflame public sentiment, enabling the magistrates to act hastily. The narrative will move quickly to mob pressure, beating, and imprisonment in verses 22–24, setting the stage for God’s midnight intervention.
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.
v.19This passage
v.20and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 16:16
And 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.
- Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Acts 8:3
But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.
- Mark 13:9
But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake, for a testimony unto them.
- Acts 14:5
And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them,
- Acts 15:22
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
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