Acts 16:17
The 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.
Original Language Analysis
Οὗτοι
The same
G3778
Οὗτοι
The same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
1 of 22
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παύλῳ
Paul
G3972
Παύλῳ
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 22
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔκραζεν
and cried
G2896
ἔκραζεν
and cried
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
λέγουσα
saying
G3004
λέγουσα
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Οὗτοι
The same
G3778
Οὗτοι
The same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
9 of 22
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλοι
the servants
G1401
δοῦλοι
the servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
12 of 22
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑψίστου
of the most high
G5310
ὑψίστου
of the most high
Strong's:
G5310
Word #:
16 of 22
highest, i.e., (masculine singular) the supreme (god), or (neuter plural) the heavens
οἵτινες
which
G3748
οἵτινες
which
Strong's:
G3748
Word #:
18 of 22
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
Cross References
John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.1 Peter 2:16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.Mark 5:7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.Daniel 6:20And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?Daniel 3:28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.Daniel 3:26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.Psalms 57:2I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.Jonah 1:9And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.Luke 4:41And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.Luke 4:34Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
Historical Context
This occurred in Philippi (c. AD 50), a Roman colony where fortune-telling and occult practices were common and profitable. The girl's owners exploited her condition for financial gain through divination (Greek: pythōna, 'python spirit'—named after the serpent guarding Delphi's oracle). Paul's exorcism would cost them significant income, explaining their violent reaction in verses 19-24.
Questions for Reflection
- Why would Paul reject accurate testimony about the gospel from a demonic source? What does this teach about spiritual discernment?
- How do modern churches sometimes accept 'help' from sources that compromise the gospel's purity, even when the message seems true?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
These men are the servants of the most high God (Greek: δοῦλοι τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου, douloi tou theou tou hypsistou)—the demon-possessed slave girl spoke theological truth while serving evil purposes. Hypsistos ('Most High') was used by pagans for Zeus but also by Jews for Yahweh, creating strategic ambiguity. Though her proclamation was accurate, Paul silenced her because:
The way of salvation (ὁδὸν σωτηρίας, hodon sōtērias)—remarkably precise language from a demonic source.
Yet truth spoken for the wrong reasons or from the wrong source undermines the gospel. Like demons confessing Jesus as 'Holy One of God' (Mark 1:24), accurate doctrine without the Spirit's anointing can be spiritually counterproductive. Paul's refusal of her 'help' demonstrates that God's work must be done God's way.