Acts 16:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:11-15

The opened heart; or, the power of Divine gentleness. Promptly obedient to the heavenly vision, Paul and Silas went "with a straight course to Samothracia," and by Neapolis to Philippi. There, eagerly awaiting a sacred opportunity, they "abode certain days." They availed themselves of the weekly gathering "at the river-side," where women, who everywhere are the most devout, were wont to meet for prayer. The whole narrative suggests the by-truths: 1. That we should instantly carry out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:11-15

(or Acts 16:14 ) The opened heart. "And a certain woman named Lydia," etc. Study of personal history specially helpful. A few broad strokes make up the picture. Fill in the outline from human nature and experience. Describe the circumstances. Philippi a local metropolis. In the midst of perishing heathenism a germ of spiritual life. Country market-place outside the gate. Devout women, Jewesses and proselytes. The Old Testament read there. Prayer offered. Without Christ they could not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:12

A city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony for the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony, A.V.: this for that, A.V.; tarrying for abiding, A.V. A city of Macedonia , etc. This is a difficult sentence. The natural way of construing the words undoubtedly is, as in the A.V., "which is the chief city of the [or, ' that'] district of Macedonia, and a colony." The only difficulty in the way of so taking it is that when AE milius Paulus, as related by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:13

Sabbath day for sabbath, A.V.; we went forth without the gate for we went out of the city, A.V. and T.R. ( πύλης for πολέως ); we supposed there Was a place of prayer for prayer was wont to be made, A.V.; were come together for resorted thither, A.V. By a river side . By the river side is the natural way of expressing it in English. The river is not the Strymon, which is a day's journey distant from Philippi, but probably a small stream called the Gangas or Gangites,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 16:12

And from thence to Philippi - The former name of this city was Dathos. It was repaired and adorned by Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, and after him was called Philippi. It was famous for having been the place where several battles were fought during the civil wars of the Romans, and, among others, for the decisive battle between Brutus and Antony. At this place Brutus killed himself. To the church in this place Paul afterward wrote the Epistle which bears its name.Which is the chief... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 16:13

And on the sabbath - There is no doubt that in this city there were Jews; In the time of the apostles they were scattered extensively throughout the known world.By a river side - What river this was is not known. It is known, however, that the Jews were accustomed to provide water, or to build their synagogues and oratories near water, for the convenience of the numerous washings before and during their religious services.Where prayer - Where there was a place of prayer, or where prayer was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 16:11-12

Acts 16:11-12. Therefore, loosing from Troas, we came to Samothracia An island in these seas, famous for being the seat of certain religious mysteries, in equal estimation with those called Eleusinian. But it does not appear that they went ashore there, for they landed the next day at Neapolis A seaport town of Macedonia. Nor did they make any stay even there, but went straight to Philippi; because it was the chief city of that part of Macedonia And a Roman colony. Thus Paul, having... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 16:13-15

Acts 16:13-15. On the sabbath we went out of the city The Jews usually held their religious assemblies (either by choice or constraint) at a distance from the heathen; by a river side The river Strymon, which ran between Philippi and Neapolis; where prayer was wont to be made That is, where the Jews and their proselytes were wont to assemble for prayer. The original expression, which is peculiar and much controverted, ου ενομιζετο προσευχη ειναι , may be rendered, Where a proseucha ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 16:11-40

Philippi - first church in Europe (16:11-40)The missionaries left Troas with another addition to the party, Luke, the author of the book (note the word ‘we’ in verse 11). Luke’s home appears to have been in Philippi, the city to which the group was now heading (11-12). It seems that Philippi had few Jews and no synagogue, but a group of God-fearers met for prayer at the river bank. The missionaries joined with them and made known to them the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result a cloth merchant... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 16:12

Philippi . The scene of the decisive battle which ended the Roman republic 42 B.C. the chief city, &c . Literally the first of the district, a city of Macedonia, a colony. Amphipolis had been the chief city, and was still a rival of Philippi. colony . Greek. kolonia. Only here. A Roman military settlement. The word survives in the names of some places in England, e.g. Lincoln. These colonies were settlements of old soldiers and others established by Augustus to influence the native... read more

Group of Brands