Acts 16:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:9

There was a man … standing, beseeching him, and saying for there stood a man … and prayed him, saying, A.V. Thus was ushered in the most momentous event in the history of Europe, the going forth of the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem to enlighten the nations of the West, and bring them into the fold of Jesus Christ. Paul saw dud heard this in a vision in the night. It is net called a dream (Bengel), but was like the vision seen by Ananias ( Acts 9:10 ), and those seen by Paul ( Acts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:9

The cry of a perishing world after Christ. "And a vision," etc. I. HUMANITY WITHOUT THE GOSPEL . The Macedonian life representative. 1. The social failure of Rome. The corrupt state of society. The loss of liberty. The lack of real advancement. Help required in every department of men's lives. 2. The intellectual failure of Greece. Contradictions of philosophy. Neglect of the poor and ignorant. Follies of heathenism. Worship of human nature itself. Awful vices by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:9-15

The journey to -Macedonia: the happy beginning. The transplantation of the gospel into Europe was a great epoch. We see the seed-corn of the kingdom germinating and growing from small beginnings. I. THE PROVIDENTIAL INDICATIONS . It came, as on many occasions to prophets and men called and sent of God, in a vision of the night. The Macedonian appears and cries, "Cross into Macedonia, and come to our aid!" From the 'Confessions' of St. Patrick, the evangelist of Ireland, a dream... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 16:9

And a vision - See the notes on Acts 9:10.There stood a man - etc. The appearance of a man who was known to be of Macedonia, probably by his dress and language. Whether this was in a dream, or whether it was a representation made to the senses while awake, it is impossible to tell. The will of God was at different times made known in both these ways. Compare Matthew 2:12; note, Acts 10:3. Grotius supposes that this was the guardian angel of Macedonia, and refers for illustration to Daniel... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 16:9-10

Acts 16:9-10. And While they were in this place, undetermined, probably, to what coast of Europe they should sail, if, according to their intention, they crossed the sea; a vision appeared to Paul in the night To direct them: it was not a dream, though it was by night. No dream is mentioned in the New Testament, except that of Joseph, and of Pilate’s wife. There stood a man of Macedonia Before him, probably an angel, clothed in the Macedonian habit, or using the language of that... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 16:1-10

Across Asia Minor to Troas (16:1-10)Upon arriving in Lystra, Paul and Silas were joined by Timothy, a young man whom the elders of the Galatian churches considered suited to the task ahead (1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Timothy 4:14). Timothy was half-Jewish, and Paul thought it wise that he be circumcised, apparently hoping that this would gain acceptance for Timothy with the Jewish population wherever the missionaries went. The circumcision of Timothy was for practical, not religious, purposes, in... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 16:9

vision . Greek. horama. See note on Acts 7:31 . It has been suggested that Paul had met Luke, and that it was he who was seen in the vision. appeared to = was seen by. Greek. horao. App-133 . in = through. Greek. dia. App-104 .Acts 16:1 . There stood, &c . = A certain (Greek. tis. App-123 .) man (Greek. aner. App-123 .), a Macedonian, was standing. prayed = praying. App-134 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 16:9

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching Paul, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto them.A vision ... Here is an instance in which God evidently spoke to Paul subjectively, by means of a vision; but the element of uncertainty persists in the fact that they "concluded" that God's message... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 16:9

Acts 16:9. There stood a man of Macedonia,— Some think St. Paul knew his country by his dress, or language; but there was no need of his attending to such particularities, as the vision itself mentions the country: it has also been thought, by some, to have been a particular person with whom St. Paul was acquainted in Macedonia, and therefore they would render the Greek literally a certain Macedonian. Grotius has suggested that it was the guardian angel of Macedonia, who appeared in human form.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 16:9

9, 10. a vision appeared to Paul in the night—while awake, for it is not called a dream. There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us—Stretching his eye across the Ægean Sea, from Troas on the northeast, to the Macedonian hills, visible on the northwest, the apostle could hardly fail to think this the destined scene of his future labors; and, if he retired to rest with this thought, he would be thoroughly prepared for the remarkable intimation of... read more

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