- Home
- Bible
- Acts
- Chapter 16
- Verse 16
Acts 16:9
Verse
Context
Paul’s Vision of the Macedonian
8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.9During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”10As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Sermons
Gladys Aylward
Bill McLeod
K.P. Yohannan
T. Austin-Sparks
Arno Stegen
George VerwerGeorge VerwerSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
A vision appeared to Paul in the night - Whether this was in a dream, or whether a representation made to the senses of the apostle, we cannot tell. A man of Macedonia appeared to him, and made this simple communication, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. Some suppose that the guardian angel of Macedonia appeared to St. Paul in a human shape; others, that it was a Divine communication made to his imagination in a dream.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
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 the divine will now to be given him. This visional Macedonian discovered himself by what he said. But it was a cry not of conscious desire for the Gospel, but of deep need of it and unconscious preparedness to receive it, not only in that region, but, we may well say, throughout all that western empire which Macedonia might be said to represent. It was a virtual confession "that the highest splendor of heathendom, which we must recognize in the arts of Greece and in the polity and imperial power of Rome, had arrived at the end of all its resources. God had left the Gentile peoples to walk in their own ways (Act 14:2). They had sought to gain salvation for themselves; but those who had carried it farthest along the paths of natural development were now pervaded by the feeling that all had indeed been vanity. This feeling is the simple, pure result of all the history of heathendom. And Israel, going along the way which God had marked out for him, had likewise arrived at his end. At last he is in a condition to realize his original vocation, by becoming the guide who is to lead the Gentiles unto God, the only Author and Creator of man's redemption; and Paul is in truth the very person in whom this vocation of Israel is now a present divine reality, and to whom, by this nocturnal apparition of the Macedonian, the preparedness of the heathen world to receive the ministry of Israel towards the Gentiles is confirmed" [BAUMGARTEN]. This voice cries from heathendom still to the Christian Church, and never does the Church undertake the work of missions, nor any missionary go forth from it, in the right spirit, save in obedience to this cry.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night,.... Either in a dream, or, it may be, when he was awake: there stood a man of Macedonia; an angel in the form of a man; the Syriac version reads, "as a man of Macedonia", and who might appear in a Macedonian habit, or speak in the Macedonian language; or the apostle might conclude him to be so, from his making mention of Macedonia, as the place where he requested him to come, and assist: and prayed him, saying, come over into Macedonia; Macedonia was a very large country in Europe; which formerly consisted, as Pliny (o) says, of a hundred and fifty people, or nations, and was called Emathia; it took its name of Macedonia from Macedo, a son of Jupiter, and of Thyd, a daughter of Deucalion: according to Ptolomy (p) it had on the north Dalmatia, superior Mysia and Thracia; on the west, the Ionian sea; on the south Epirus; and on the east, part of Thracia, and the gulfs of the Aegean sea. It had formerly other names besides Emathia and Macedonia, as Mygdonia and Edoma, and is now called Albania or Ronnelli. Troas, where the apostle now was, when he had this vision, was just by the Hellespont, over which he must go to Macedonia; and therefore the Macedonian prays him to "come over", adding, and help us; by praying and preaching, to pull down the kingdom of Satan, to destroy superstition and idolatry, to enlighten the eyes of men, and turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and save them from utter ruin and destruction. This shows what a miserable condition this country was in; and that God had some chosen people among them to gather in, whose time was now come; and of what use and service the angels, Christ's ministering spirits, are, who are helpful in weakening the kingdom of Satan, and advancing the interest of Christ, and in spreading his Gospel, and particularly in directing the ministers of it where to preach it; though it follows not from hence, that this angel presided over the whole country, and was their tutelar angel, as some think. (o) Hist. Nat. l. 4. c. 10. (p) Geograph. l. 3. c. 13.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:9-10 a vision: See “Visions” Theme Note.
Acts 16:9
Paul’s Vision of the Macedonian
8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.9During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”10As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Testimony - Part 1
By Gladys Aylward17K45:01TestimonyGEN 1:27EXO 19:5MAL 3:10MAT 22:37MAT 22:39ACT 16:91CO 13:13In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares their experience of being the only missionary in a heathen government and their journey of spreading the Gospel in South Shansey. Despite facing challenges and frustrations, the speaker found solace in sharing the story of Jesus with the locals, particularly through a woman named Gina. The speaker emphasizes the importance of giving everything to God and finding the love of Jesus Christ to share with others. They encourage the audience to fully surrender themselves to God and not hold back any part of their lives.
(Grace Baptist) Wait on the Lord
By Bill McLeod2.2K48:00Waiting2SA 5:23PSA 143:8PSA 143:10ACT 16:91CO 6:171PE 2:211PE 2:23In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of David and his battle with the Philistines. Instead of repeating the same strategy as before, God instructs David to stand by the mulberry trees and attack when he hears the wind rustling through them. David obeys and they are victorious. The speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance and not relying on past methods. He also mentions how David's choice of five stones to face Goliath was strategic, as Goliath had four sons. The sermon concludes with a reminder that the will of God is good, acceptable, and perfect, encouraging listeners to trust in God's plan.
Bridge of Hope Discussion, Part One
By K.P. Yohannan1.9K25:57BenevolenceMAT 6:33MAT 28:19MRK 9:37LUK 10:2JHN 4:35ACT 16:9JAS 1:27In this sermon, the speaker shares a strange dream he had that became a turning point in his life. In the dream, he saw a vast golden wheat field, symbolizing the harvest that Jesus talked about in John's Gospel and Matthew. He also saw a little girl named Meena standing in sewer water, representing the desperate need for the gospel in India. The speaker felt a sense of urgency to reach out to the harvest and was comforted by the image of a bridge filled with children, symbolizing the potential for many to come to Christ.
The Horizon of Divine Purpose - Part 6
By T. Austin-Sparks1.8K1:04:02Divine PurposeISA 55:11ACT 16:9EPH 1:23EPH 4:8EPH 4:13In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Jesus as a prophet and a supreme example of God's sovereignty. The purpose of Jesus' life was to rebuke and show what God required of his people, ultimately laying down his life for them. The speaker also highlights the need for continuity and a focused mind when studying the word of God. The ultimate goal for believers is to attain the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ and for the church to be the fullness of Him.
From Insignificance to Fame
By Arno Stegen1.7K1:04:05FameMAT 6:33MAT 25:40MAT 26:6MRK 14:1ACT 16:9In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of a woman who gave and did all she could for God. The preacher emphasizes the importance of responding to God's call and testing ourselves to see if we have done what we could. The sermon references Mark chapter 14, where the chief priests and scribes were seeking to kill Jesus. The preacher warns against giving the enemy an opportunity to harm the gospel and emphasizes the need to be in tune with the Lord in our service.
Called to Compassion 1998
By George Verwer1.2K47:06CompassionMAT 6:33ACT 16:9ROM 10:14In this sermon, the speaker begins by praying for an increase in faith and vision for the audience, emphasizing the importance of spreading the message of salvation to every person in the world. The speaker then shares their personal experience of being transformed by God while attending the institute. They express the belief that the purpose of being a student is not just to gain knowledge, but to be deeply impacted by God's word. The speaker also mentions a popular message they have preached at various Bible colleges, titled "Seven Things They Didn't Teach Me at Bible College," which focuses on overcoming weaknesses and relying on Jesus to live a victorious life. They conclude by expressing gratitude for the lessons learned in repentance and acknowledging the challenges of dealing with difficult people.
Lukewarm No More - Part 9
By George Verwer97308:21LukewarmMAT 16:24LUK 9:23JHN 3:3JHN 14:6ACT 2:38ACT 16:9ROM 3:23In this sermon, the speaker expresses his deep love for Jesus and how Jesus has been with him for the past 40 years. He shares his experience of speaking to young people and the positive response he receives. The speaker then discusses the Macedonian call and the importance of helping others. He also talks about the struggles of being a new Christian and the need to overcome negativity by making an effort to be positive.
Satan Takes Away the Word Immediately
By Joshua Daniel52214:30SatanGEN 22:14PSA 46:1MAT 13:19MRK 4:15ACT 16:9ROM 10:17EPH 6:12In this sermon, Joshua Daniel discusses the importance of holding onto the Word of God and the impact it can have on our lives. He highlights how quickly the Word of God can be forgotten or dismissed, comparing it to the evaporation of a chemical formula. Daniel criticizes preachers who prioritize their schedules and financial gain over the needs of the church, emphasizing the need for a discerning spirit and a commitment to preaching the Word of God. He also shares a story of how the preaching of the Word led to the expulsion of evil spirits and encourages listeners to fight for Jesus and lift up His name.
Prayer Mission 80
By George Verwer48151:04PrayerMAT 6:33MAT 9:35ACT 16:9EPH 6:18JAS 5:16In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal testimony of how he came to know Jesus Christ through the prayers of a woman. He emphasizes that God can work through anyone, regardless of their background or intelligence. The speaker then references Matthew 9:35-38, where Jesus expresses compassion for the multitudes and urges his disciples to pray for more laborers in the harvest. The sermon concludes with a recommendation for a book on prayer and a special offer for attendees.
Matthew 7 Bromley Baptist Church 1977
By George Verwer4761:09:08Christian LifeMAT 7:12MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 10:2LUK 14:23ACT 1:8ACT 16:9In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not only distributing literature but also following up with people to ensure their spiritual growth. They believe that it takes 14 years to fully follow up on the work that God does in just 14 days of distributing literature. The speaker also expresses their commitment to building churches based on God's Word and not cooperating with those that are not. They urge the audience to have a deep love for Jesus Christ and to be willing to go and be ambassadors for Him, even if it means sacrificing and giving up other good things.
The Tap on the Shoulder
By Russell DeLong0ISA 6:8MAT 4:18MAT 9:9JHN 11:28ACT 16:9Russell DeLong preaches about the spiritual call from Jesus, likening it to a tap on the shoulder that demands a response of turning around and following Him. He emphasizes that the tap on the shoulder is a call that cannot be ignored, leading to a life-changing decision to either follow Christ or walk away. DeLong shares stories of individuals like Peter, William Carey, Robert Morrison, and David Livingstone who answered the call and made a significant impact through missions work. He challenges the congregation to heed the tap on the shoulder, listen to Jesus' voice, and offer themselves and their talents to Him for a purposeful life.
The Heavenly Vision
By Aaron Hills0PRO 29:18ISA 6:1ACT 7:55ACT 10:9ACT 16:9ACT 18:9ACT 26:19ACT 27:231TH 4:7REV 1:12Aaron Hills preaches about the importance of daring to follow the Vision despite the world's derision and secular influences that degrade angelic qualities in the soul. He emphasizes how heavenly visions can lift the soul above earthly burdens and lead to life-changing transformations, as seen in biblical figures like Peter, Samuel, Gideon, Saul, and John. Hills highlights how God uses visions to awaken souls to their potential greatness and impending ruin, urging listeners to heed the call to a higher and fuller life through visions that lead to holiness and sanctification.
Four Calls to Soulwinning
By Jack Hyles0LUK 16:27ACT 4:19ACT 16:9HEB 12:1Jack Hyles preaches about the importance of soulwinning, emphasizing the internal call from within that compels believers to share the Gospel, the external call from a lost world in need of salvation, the heavenly witnesses cheering us on, and the haunting call from beneath, reminding us of the urgency to rescue souls from eternal damnation. Hyles shares personal stories of his own journey in responding to these calls, highlighting the transformative power of soulwinning and the eternal impact it can have on individuals and families.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
A vision appeared to Paul in the night - Whether this was in a dream, or whether a representation made to the senses of the apostle, we cannot tell. A man of Macedonia appeared to him, and made this simple communication, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. Some suppose that the guardian angel of Macedonia appeared to St. Paul in a human shape; others, that it was a Divine communication made to his imagination in a dream.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
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 the divine will now to be given him. This visional Macedonian discovered himself by what he said. But it was a cry not of conscious desire for the Gospel, but of deep need of it and unconscious preparedness to receive it, not only in that region, but, we may well say, throughout all that western empire which Macedonia might be said to represent. It was a virtual confession "that the highest splendor of heathendom, which we must recognize in the arts of Greece and in the polity and imperial power of Rome, had arrived at the end of all its resources. God had left the Gentile peoples to walk in their own ways (Act 14:2). They had sought to gain salvation for themselves; but those who had carried it farthest along the paths of natural development were now pervaded by the feeling that all had indeed been vanity. This feeling is the simple, pure result of all the history of heathendom. And Israel, going along the way which God had marked out for him, had likewise arrived at his end. At last he is in a condition to realize his original vocation, by becoming the guide who is to lead the Gentiles unto God, the only Author and Creator of man's redemption; and Paul is in truth the very person in whom this vocation of Israel is now a present divine reality, and to whom, by this nocturnal apparition of the Macedonian, the preparedness of the heathen world to receive the ministry of Israel towards the Gentiles is confirmed" [BAUMGARTEN]. This voice cries from heathendom still to the Christian Church, and never does the Church undertake the work of missions, nor any missionary go forth from it, in the right spirit, save in obedience to this cry.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night,.... Either in a dream, or, it may be, when he was awake: there stood a man of Macedonia; an angel in the form of a man; the Syriac version reads, "as a man of Macedonia", and who might appear in a Macedonian habit, or speak in the Macedonian language; or the apostle might conclude him to be so, from his making mention of Macedonia, as the place where he requested him to come, and assist: and prayed him, saying, come over into Macedonia; Macedonia was a very large country in Europe; which formerly consisted, as Pliny (o) says, of a hundred and fifty people, or nations, and was called Emathia; it took its name of Macedonia from Macedo, a son of Jupiter, and of Thyd, a daughter of Deucalion: according to Ptolomy (p) it had on the north Dalmatia, superior Mysia and Thracia; on the west, the Ionian sea; on the south Epirus; and on the east, part of Thracia, and the gulfs of the Aegean sea. It had formerly other names besides Emathia and Macedonia, as Mygdonia and Edoma, and is now called Albania or Ronnelli. Troas, where the apostle now was, when he had this vision, was just by the Hellespont, over which he must go to Macedonia; and therefore the Macedonian prays him to "come over", adding, and help us; by praying and preaching, to pull down the kingdom of Satan, to destroy superstition and idolatry, to enlighten the eyes of men, and turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and save them from utter ruin and destruction. This shows what a miserable condition this country was in; and that God had some chosen people among them to gather in, whose time was now come; and of what use and service the angels, Christ's ministering spirits, are, who are helpful in weakening the kingdom of Satan, and advancing the interest of Christ, and in spreading his Gospel, and particularly in directing the ministers of it where to preach it; though it follows not from hence, that this angel presided over the whole country, and was their tutelar angel, as some think. (o) Hist. Nat. l. 4. c. 10. (p) Geograph. l. 3. c. 13.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:9-10 a vision: See “Visions” Theme Note.