Acts – Chapter 16

New Testament40 Verses

Chapter Summary

Acts 16 opens with the words: "And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman that believed: but…" The chapter centers on Paul, Silas and Lydia. Across its 40 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and God's protection and deliverance. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman that believed: but his father was a Gentile.

2To this man the brethren that were in Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony.

3Him Paul would have to go along with him: and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.

4And as they passed through the cities, they delivered unto them the decrees for to keep, that were decreed by the apostles and ancients who were at Jerusalem.

5And the churches were confirmed in faith and increased in number daily.

6And when they had passed through Phrygia and the country of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.

7And when they were come into Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia: and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not.

8And when they had passed through Mysia, they went down to Troas.

9And a vision was shewed to Paul in the night, which was a man of Macedonia standing and beseeching him and saying: Pass over into Macedonia and help us.

10And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia: being assured that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11And sailing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the day following to Neapolis.

12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in this city some days conferring together.

13And upon the Sabbath day, we went forth without the gate by a river side, where it seemed that there was prayer: and sitting down, we spoke to the women that were assembled.

14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul.

15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there. And she constrained us.

16And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl having a pythonical spirit met us, who brought to her masters much gain by divining.

17This same following Paul and us, cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the Most High God, who preach unto you the way of salvation.

18And this she did many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: I command thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to go from her. And he went out the same hour.

19But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, apprehending Paul and Silas, brought them into the market place to the rulers.

20And presenting them to the magistrates, they said: These men disturb our city, being Jews:

21And preach a fashion which it is not lawful for us to receive nor observe, being Romans.

22And the people ran together against them: and the magistrates, rending off their clothes, commanded them to be beaten with rods.

23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the gaoler to keep them diligently.

24Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25And at midnight, Paul and Silas, praying, praised God. And they that were in prison heard them.

26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and the bands of all were loosed.

27And the keeper of the prison, awakening out of his sleep and seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing his sword, would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying: Do thyself no harm, for we all are here.

29Then calling for a light, he went in: and trembling, fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas.

30And bringing them out, he said: Masters, what must I do, that I may be saved?

31But they said: believe in the Lord Jesus: and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32And they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house.

33And he, taking them the same hour of the night, washed their stripes: and himself was baptized, and all his house immediately.

34And when he had brought them into his own house, he laid the table for them: and rejoiced with all his house, believing God.

35And when the day was come, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying: Let those men go.

36And the keeper of the prison told these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart. And go in peace.

37But Paul said to them: They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison. And now do they thrust us out privately? Not so: but let them come.

38And let us out themselves. And the serjeants told these words to the magistrates. And they were afraid: hearing that they were Romans.

39And coming, they besought them: and bringing them out, they desired them to depart out of the city.

40And they went out of the prison and entered into the house of Lydia: and having seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed.

Important Verses in Acts 16

And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman that believed: but his father was a Gentile.

Acts 16:1

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul.

Acts 16:14

This same following Paul and us, cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the Most High God, who preach unto you the way of salvation.

Acts 16:17

But they said: believe in the Lord Jesus: and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 16:31

Historical Context

Acts addresses the growing Church, shown its apostolic origins and missionary calling within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 16 of 28 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 40 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Paul, Silas, Lydia and Timothy appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish…" The final verse reads: "And they went out of the prison and entered into the house of Lydia: and having seen the brethren, they comforted them…" In terms of historical background, Acts narrates the Church's birth and expansion 'to the ends of the earth': Pentecost, the first community in Jerusalem, the martyrdom of Stephen, the conversion of Paul, the opening to the Gentiles, and Paul's… The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 80-90.

Who Wrote It

Luke, as the second volume of his work

When It Was Written

About AD 80-90

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Acts 16 presents a concrete episode in the history of the Church's mission empowered by the Holy Spirit. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman that believed: but his father was a…" The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 133). Here, Acts shows the Church's apostolic foundation (CIC 857-862). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize faith and trust in God as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.
  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.

People in This Chapter

Paul11 mentionsSilas3 mentionsLydia2 mentionsTimothy1 mention

Reflection for Today

Acts Chapter 16 belongs to the New Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Acts shows the Church's apostolic foundation (CIC 857-862). Here the believer is invited to ponder worship as the heart of the Christian life.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1095) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Acts Chapter 16 about?

Acts 16 contains 40 verses. It opens with "And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish…" and closes with "And they went out of the prison and entered into the house of Lydia: and having seen the brethren, they comforted them…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Acts 16?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman that believed: but his father was a Gentile." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Acts Chapter 16?

This chapter mentions Paul, Silas, Lydia, Timothy.

Who wrote Acts and when?

Luke, as the second volume of his work. About AD 80-90.

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