Acts 16:40
And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Original Language Analysis
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 17
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φυλακῆς
the prison
G5438
φυλακῆς
the prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
5 of 17
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδόντες
when they had seen
G1492
ἰδόντες
when they had seen
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
11 of 17
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὺς
the brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὺς
the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
13 of 17
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
παρεκάλεσαν
they comforted
G3870
παρεκάλεσαν
they comforted
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
14 of 17
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
αὐτοῦς,
them
G846
αὐτοῦς,
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 17
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
Acts 14:22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.Acts 16:14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Historical Context
Lydia's house served as the Philippian church's meeting place. Paul's final encouragement before departure demonstrates apostolic care for young churches. The Philippian church would later strongly support Paul's ministry (Phil. 4:15-16).
Questions for Reflection
- How should we balance obedience to authorities with ministry priorities?
- What does pastoral care look like in crisis moments?
- How can we strengthen new believers before leaving them?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'They went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.' Despite official request to leave, Paul first strengthened the new church. His priorities were pastoral before political - encouraging believers mattered more than quick compliance with authorities. The visit to Lydia's house shows the church already meeting there.