Acts 16:16-24

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

Luke reported that the group went for prayer, possibly daily. A slave girl who was demon possessed followed them crying out, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." It might seem that such an occurrence would be very helpful in furthering the gospel, but Paul clearly did not think so. After all, the people believed this girl could foretell the future and her masters made considerable profit in the process. Further, as McGarvey notes, to accept the recommendation of demons would have been to lend credence to anything else the demon might have made her say, even lies. So, Paul cast out the demon by the authority of Jesus.

Her masters, seeing their profit potential ruined, grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. They based their accusations on racial prejudice, which may have been heightened by the fact that Claudias had banished Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2). This may also explain why Luke, a Greek physician, and Timothy, whose father was Greek, were not also seized. Mob rule prevailed and the magistrates had Paul and Silas beaten, cast into the inner prison and their feet placed in stocks (Acts 16:16-24).