Acts 16:9
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅραμα
a vision
G3705
ὅραμα
a vision
Strong's:
G3705
Word #:
2 of 22
something gazed at, i.e., a spectacle (especially supernatural)
διὰ
in
G1223
διὰ
in
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
3 of 22
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὤφθη
appeared
G3700
ὤφθη
appeared
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
6 of 22
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παύλῳ
to Paul
G3972
Παύλῳ
to Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
8 of 22
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
Μακεδών
of Macedonia
G3110
Μακεδών
of Macedonia
Strong's:
G3110
Word #:
12 of 22
a macedon (macedonian), i.e., inhabitant of macedonia
ἑστὼς
G2476
ἑστὼς
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
13 of 22
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
παρακαλῶν
and prayed
G3870
παρακαλῶν
and prayed
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
14 of 22
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 22
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 #:
16 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
17 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
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Acts 19:21After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.Acts 18:5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.Romans 15:26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.Acts 20:1And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
Historical Context
At Troas (AD 50), Paul received this night vision redirecting his ministry from Asia toward Europe. Philippi became the first European city evangelized, establishing churches in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) that became Paul's most supportive partners.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God provide clear guidance at crucial decision points in ministry?
- What role do visions and supernatural direction play in contemporary missionary calling?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Macedonian vision—'Come over into Macedonia, and help us'—demonstrates God's method of supernatural guidance at strategic junctures. The immediate interpretation 'assuredly gathering' that God called them suggests corporate confirmation of individual vision. This clear direction launched Christianity's European mission with world-historical consequences.