Acts 16:18
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Original Language Analysis
ἐποίει
did she
G4160
ἐποίει
did she
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
3 of 30
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἐπὶ
G1909
ἐπὶ
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 30
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
πολλὰς
many
G4183
πολλὰς
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
5 of 30
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
6 of 30
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
διαπονηθεὶς
being grieved
G1278
διαπονηθεὶς
being grieved
Strong's:
G1278
Word #:
7 of 30
to toil through, i.e., (passively) be worried
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
10 of 30
(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 #:
11 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματι
to the spirit
G4151
πνεύματι
to the spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
14 of 30
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
Παραγγέλλω
I command
G3853
Παραγγέλλω
I command
Strong's:
G3853
Word #:
16 of 30
to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματι
the name
G3686
ὀνόματι
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
20 of 30
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
21 of 30
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἀπ'
out of
G575
ἀπ'
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
24 of 30
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτῇ
her
G846
αὐτῇ
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῇ
her
G846
αὐτῇ
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
28 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Mark 16:17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;Acts 3:6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.Acts 9:34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.Mark 1:34And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.Colossians 2:15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.Luke 9:1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Historical Context
This slave girl practiced Python divination (v.16), associated with the Oracle of Delphi. Roman Philippi was steeped in pagan religion. Her owners exploited her demonic abilities for financial gain—a common practice in the Greco-Roman world where fortune-telling was big business.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Paul wait 'many days' before confronting the spirit rather than acting immediately?
- How does this exorcism differ from magical practices, and what does 'in the name of Jesus Christ' signify about the source of Paul's authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Paul, being grieved (διαπονηθεὶς, diaponētheis)—not anger but godly distress at evil exploiting a human soul. Paul's patience ('many days') shows pastoral wisdom, not impulsiveness.
I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ (Παραγγέλλω σοι ἐν ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ)—the apostolic formula for exorcism uses Christ's authority, not magical incantation. Unlike the Jewish exorcists in Acts 19:13-16, Paul invokes genuine divine power. He came out the same hour demonstrates immediate, complete deliverance—but notice this ended the girl's economic value (v.19), triggering persecution. Authentic liberation often costs those who profit from bondage.