ACTS 16:16–24
PAUL AND SILAS IMPRISONED AFTER DELIVERANCE FROM A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION
Text – Acts 16:16–24
16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling.
17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These people are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.”
18 She did this for many days. Paul became annoyed, turned, and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out at that moment.
19 When her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities.
20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These people are Jews and are disturbing our city
21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be beaten with rods.
23 After inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison and instructed the jailer to guard them securely.
24 He put them in the innermost cell and secured their feet to a stake.
Historical and Jewish Context
Divination and fortune-telling were widespread in the Greco-Roman world and closely connected with pagan religion and economic exploitation. The slave girl’s condition reflects both spiritual bondage and social injustice. Roman magistrates were responsible for maintaining public order, and accusations of introducing unlawful customs were serious charges in a Roman colony like Philippi. Beating with rods was a Roman punishment, often inflicted without trial, especially on those seen as troublemakers.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage reveals the clash between the Kingdom of God and systems built on spiritual deception and economic exploitation. Although the girl speaks words that sound true, the spirit behind them is not from God. Paul’s authority in the name of Jesus Christ demonstrates Christ’s power over demonic forces. The reaction of the owners exposes how opposition to the Gospel often arises from threatened self-interest rather than sincere concern for truth. Suffering for justice and truth becomes part of apostolic witness.
Parallels in Scripture
Mark 1:23–26 – Jesus expels an unclean spirit
Luke 8:29 – Authority over demonic powers
Acts 19:23–27 – Economic opposition to the Gospel
Matthew 5:10–12 – Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness
Isaiah 61:1 – Liberation of the oppressed
Key Terms
Spirit of divination – Demonic power masquerading as truth
Name of Jesus Christ – Source of spiritual authority
Profit – Root of hostility toward the Gospel
Magistrates – Roman civic authority
Beaten with rods – Public humiliation and suffering
Innermost cell – Total confinement and apparent defeat
Catholic Liturgical Significance
Acts 16:16–24 is proclaimed during the Easter Season, reminding the faithful that the power of the risen Christ liberates the oppressed and that suffering often accompanies faithful witness.
Conclusion
Acts 16:16–24 shows that the Gospel confronts both spiritual evil and unjust social systems. Though Paul and Silas are imprisoned, God’s power is already at work, transforming suffering into the setting for salvation.
Reflection
Do I recognize how the Gospel challenges unjust structures today?
Am I willing to endure hardship for the sake of truth and freedom?
Do I trust in Christ’s authority even when obedience leads to suffering?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the liberator of the oppressed and the conqueror of all evil. Strengthen my faith when obedience brings difficulty, and help me to trust in Your power working even in moments of apparent defeat. Amen.