And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

ACTS 16:19KJV
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Acts 16:19 (KJV)

What does Acts 16:19 mean?

Acts 16:19 describes how the owners of a slave girl, who had just lost her ability to make them money, became angry and seized Paul and Silas, dragging them into the public square to face the local authorities. The verse shows the immediate reaction of the girl's masters when they realized their source of profit was gone.

In this scene, Paul and Silas are in Philippi, where they have just cast a spirit out of a slave girl who made money for her owners by fortune-telling. The girl's owners, seeing their financial gain disappear, grab Paul and Silas and bring them before the city rulers in the marketplace, setting the stage for the conflict that follows in the story.

The Greek behind Acts 16:19

  • The word for "masters" is κύριοι (kurioi), which means "lords" or "owners." This highlights the power these men had over the slave girl and their interest in her only as a source of profit.
  • The word for "gains" is ἐργασία (ergasia), meaning "profits" or "business." The Greek here emphasizes that their main concern was economic loss, not the girl's well-being.
  • The word for "marketplace" is ἀγορά (agora), referring to the central public area where legal and civic matters were handled. This shows that the owners wanted to make a public accusation and involve the authorities immediately.

Why Acts 16:19 matters

  • Acts 16:19 clarifies that the opposition to Paul and Silas was driven by financial motives, not religious or moral concerns.
  • The verse sets up the legal trouble Paul and Silas will face, showing how economic interests can quickly turn into public accusations.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by explaining why Paul and Silas are about to be put on trial and eventually imprisoned, highlighting the cost of their ministry in Philippi.

Where else these words appear

“gains” Greek G2039 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 12:58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
  • Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
  • Acts 19:25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

“drew” Greek G1670 · used in 8 verses

  • John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  • John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
  • John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

“marketplace” Greek G58 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
  • Mark 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
  • Luke 7:32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

“Silas” Greek G4609 · used in 13 verses

  • Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
  • Acts 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
  • Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.