Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 16ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ ΙϚ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Κατήντησεν δὲ καὶ εἰς Δέρβην καὶ εἰς Λύστραν. καὶ ἰδοὺ μαθητής τις ἦν ἐκεῖ ὀνόματι Τιμόθεος, υἱὸς γυναικὸς Ἰουδαίας πιστῆς, πατρὸς δὲ Ἕλληνος,

And he came down also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but of a Greek father,

Narrative continuationδέPaul re-visits the churches of the first journey; ἰδοὺ ('behold') marks Timothy as a new, significant character. The double parentage — Jewish mother, Greek father — sets up the circumcision tension of v.3.
Κατήντησενhe arrivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταντάωmain verb (narrative)→ constative aorist (arrival)καταντάω: 'arrive at, reach a destination'; a Lukan travel verb (cf. Acts 18:19, 24; 20:15).
δέandnarrative particle (continuation)
καίalsoadverbial καί (additive)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΔέρβηνDerbeAccusativeaccusative of goal (with εἰς)Δέρβη: city of Lycaonia, last stop of first journey (14:20–21), now first stop of second revisit.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΛύστρανLystraAccusativeaccusative of goal (with εἰς)Λύστρα: city of Lycaonia, Timothy's home town (cf. 14:6–20).
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker / interjectionἰδού: fixed particle signaling a new important character or event.
μαθητήςa discipleNominativepredicate nominative (subject)μαθητής: 'disciple, learner'; Luke's standard term for a Christian believer in Acts.
τιςcertainNominativeindefinite pronoun (attributive to μαθητής)
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential/descriptive)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing state)
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of reference (name)ὄνομα: 'name'; dative of respect in the naming formula ὀνόματι + proper name.
ΤιμόθεοςTimothyNominativeapposition (name of the disciple)Τιμόθεος: 'honoring God'; Paul's key co-worker (1 Thess 3:2; 1 Tim 1:2).
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive predicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; marks Timothy's mixed heritage, the theological crux of vv.1–3.
γυναικὸςof a womanGenitivegenitive of relationship (parentage)γυνή: 'woman, wife'; here Timothy's mother, named Eunice in 2 Tim 1:5.
ἸουδαίαςJewishGenitiveattributive genitive (ethnic identity)Ἰουδαῖος: 'Jewish'; the mother's Jewish identity (and faith, πιστῆς) is why Paul circumcises Timothy.
πιστῆςbelievingGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying γυναικός)πιστός: 'believing, faithful'; the mother had believed, hence Timothy's Christian upbringing.
πατρὸςof a fatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (parentage, contrastive)πατήρ: 'father'; Timothy's Greek (non-Jewish) father explains his uncircumcised status.
δέbutcontrastive particle
ἝλληνοςGreekGenitiveattributive genitive (ethnic identity, parallel to Ἰουδαίας)Ἕλλην: 'Greek, Gentile'; Timothy's father was a Gentile — he had never been circumcised.
2

ὃς ἐμαρτυρεῖτο ὑπὸ τῶν ἐν Λύστροις καὶ Ἰκονίῳ ἀδελφῶν.

He was well spoken of by the brothers who were in Lystra and Iconium.

Characterization (grounds for selection)asyndetonThe imperfect passive ἐμαρτυρεῖτο stresses Timothy's standing reputation across two cities — the basis for Paul's choice. Good character endorsed by the community is the Lukan criterion for ministry (cf. Acts 6:3).
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of relative clause)
ἐμαρτυρεῖτοwas spoken well ofImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · μαρτυρέωmain verb of relative clause (passive)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing reputation)μαρτυρέω: 'to bear witness, attest'; the passive 'be well attested' is the standard form of recommendation in Acts (cf. 6:3; 10:22; 22:12).
ὑπόbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀδελφῶν)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place; attributive to ἀδελφῶν)
ΛύστροιςLystraDativedative of place (with ἐν)Λύστρα: Lystra; Timothy's home city (cf. 16:1).
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἸκονίῳIconiumDativedative of place (with ἐν)Ἰκόνιον: Iconium; a neighboring city where Paul had worked (14:1–5).
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitivegenitive of agent (with ὑπό)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; Luke's term for fellow believers; the local church vouches for Timothy.
3

τοῦτον ἠθέλησεν ὁ Παῦλος σὺν αὐτῷ ἐξελθεῖν, καὶ λαβὼν περιέτεμεν αὐτὸν διὰ τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοὺς ὄντας ἐν τοῖς τόποις ἐκείνοις· ᾔδεισαν γὰρ ἅπαντες ὅτι Ἕλλην ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ὑπῆρχεν.

Paul wanted this man to go out with him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those regions, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Explanation (of the circumcision)γάρThe γάρ-clause explains the socio-missiological reason: not theological necessity but pastoral access — the Jews knew Timothy's father was Greek, so his uncircumcised status would close synagogue doors. Paul's action stands in deliberate contrast to his refusal to circumcise Titus (Gal 2:3).
τοῦτονthis manAccusativeaccusative object (anticipatory, of ἐξελθεῖν)
ἠθέλησενwantedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb→ constative aorist (volitional decision)θέλω: 'to want, wish, will'; marks Paul's deliberate choice of Timothy as companion.
theNominativearticle (with Παῦλος)
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject nominativeΠαῦλος: the apostle; his name was changed from Σαῦλος to Παῦλος at 13:9.
σύνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
αὐτῷhimDativedative of accompaniment (with σύν)
ἐξελθεῖνto go outAor Act Inf · ἐξέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἠθέλησεν)→ constative aorist (departure as a whole)ἐξέρχομαι: 'to go out/come out'; here of setting out on mission.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
λαβὼνtakingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωattendant circumstance participle (with περιέτεμεν)→ constative aorist (prior action)λαμβάνω: 'to take'; the participle is almost pleonastic — Paul takes him and circumcises him.
περιέτεμενhe circumcisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · περιτέμνωmain verb (narrative action)→ constative aorist (single decisive act)περιτέμνω: 'to circumcise'; the act that contextualizes the whole Jerusalem Decree — Paul circumcises for mission access, not for justification.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (of περιέτεμεν)
διάbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause/reason)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἸουδαίουςJewsAccusativeaccusative object of διά (reason)Ἰουδαῖος: 'Jew'; it is their knowledge of Timothy's Greek father that necessitates the circumcision.
τοὺςthe onesAccusativearticle (with ὄντας, substantival participle)
ὄνταςbeingPres Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · εἰμίattributive participle (modifying Ἰουδαίους)→ descriptive present (ongoing residence)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
τόποιςregionsDativedative of place (with ἐν)τόπος: 'place, region'; the plural refers to the wider Lycaonian district.
ἐκείνοιςthoseDativeattributive demonstrative (modifying τόποις)
ᾔδεισανthey knewPlpf Act Indic 3 Pl · οἶδαcausal clause main verb (with γάρ)→ pluperfect with imperfect force (established knowledge)οἶδα: 'to know'; the pluperfect ᾔδεισαν has imperfect sense — 'they had known/knew all along.'
γάρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
ἅπαντεςallNominativesubject nominative (emphasizing universal knowledge)ἅπας: 'all, the whole'; stronger than πᾶς — no one in the district was unaware.
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause with ᾔδεισαν)
ἝλληνGreekNominativepredicate nominativeἝλλην: 'Greek, Gentile'; placed emphatically before the subject, underscoring Timothy's mixed status.
theNominativearticle
πατὴρfatherNominativesubject nominativeπατήρ: 'father'; unnamed here; died or absent (Timothy is identified by his mother in 2 Tim 1:5).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (possessive)
ὑπῆρχενwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπάρχωpredicate verb→ descriptive imperfect (continuous state)ὑπάρχω: 'to be, exist'; used in Luke-Acts for inherent status or condition.
4

Ὡς δὲ διεπορεύοντο τὰς πόλεις, παρεδίδοσαν αὐτοῖς φυλάσσειν τὰ δόγματα τὰ κεκριμένα ὑπὸ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ πρεσβυτέρων τῶν ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις.

As they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem to observe.

Narrative continuation (concurrent action)δέThe iterative imperfect παρεδίδοσαν matches the iterative ὡς διεπορεύοντο — city by city, the Apostolic Decree travels with the missionaries. Luke ties the second journey to the first (ch.15) by the delivered decrees.
Ὡςastemporal conjunction
δέnownarrative particle
διεπορεύοντοthey were traveling throughImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · διαπορεύομαιtemporal clause verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing journey)διαπορεύομαι: 'to travel through, journey through'; the prefix διά marks thoroughgoing movement city by city.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
πόλειςcitiesAccusativeaccusative direct object (of διεπορεύοντο, spatial extent)πόλις: 'city'; the plural frames this as a systematic church-strengthening circuit.
παρεδίδοσανthey were deliveringImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ iterative imperfect (repeated action, city by city)παραδίδωμι: 'to hand over, deliver, transmit'; here of handing on authoritative rulings — the same verb used for transmitting tradition (1 Cor 11:2, 23).
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object
φυλάσσεινto observePres Act Inf · φυλάσσωpurpose/object infinitive (with παρεδίδοσαν)→ progressive present (ongoing observance expected)φυλάσσω: 'to guard, keep, observe'; here of keeping the decree as a community standard.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
δόγματαdecreesAccusativeaccusative direct object (of φυλάσσειν)δόγμα: 'decree, decision, ordinance'; a political/legal term (cf. Lk 2:1; Acts 17:7) — here the Jerusalem council's rulings.
τὰthe onesAccusativearticle (with κεκριμένα, substantival)
κεκριμέναdecidedPerf Pass Ptc Acc Pl Neut · κρίνωattributive participle (modifying δόγματα)→ intensive perfect (standing decision, authoritative)κρίνω: 'to judge, decide'; the perfect passive 'having been decided' marks the decree as a settled, binding ruling.
ὑπόbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀποστόλωνapostlesGenitivegenitive of agentἀπόστολος: 'apostle, sent one'; the Jerusalem council's apostolic authority grounds the decree.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersGenitivegenitive of agent (parallel to ἀποστόλων)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the Jerusalem leadership structure (cf. Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22–23).
τῶνthe onesGenitivearticle (with ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις, locative)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalemDativedative of place (with ἐν)Ἱεροσόλυμα: Jerusalem; Luke uses the Hellenized form (Ἱεροσόλυμα) and the Hebrew form (Ἰερουσαλήμ) interchangeably.
5

Αἱ μὲν οὖν ἐκκλησίαι ἐστερεοῦντο τῇ πίστει καὶ ἐπερίσσευον τῷ ἀριθμῷ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν.

So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number daily.

Summary / resultμὲν οὖνThe characteristic Lukan summary (μὲν οὖν + durative imperfects) closes the first movement and transitions to the journey narrative: the churches grow in quality (ἐστερεοῦντο) and quantity (ἐπερίσσευον). This is the fifth such summary in Acts (cf. 2:47; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24).
ΑἱtheNominativearticle
μένindeedcorrelative particle (μέν οὖν = transitional summary)
οὖνthereforeinferential/summary conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore, then'; with μέν a characteristic Lukan transition-and-summary formula (Acts 1:6; 2:41; 5:41; 8:4, 25, etc.).
ἐκκλησίαιchurchesNominativesubject nominativeἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; the gathered communities Paul has been founding and strengthening on this circuit.
ἐστερεοῦντοwere being strengthenedImpf Pass Indic 3 Pl · στερεόωmain verb (first of parallel imperfects)→ progressive imperfect (continuous strengthening)στερεόω: 'to make firm, strengthen'; from στερεός ('solid, firm'); used of the lame man's feet at 3:7 — here of corporate spiritual solidity.
τῇin theDativearticle
πίστειfaithDativedative of sphere (strengthened in the faith)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; here the content of faith ('the faith') — the body of Christian belief, not merely the act of believing.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπερίσσευονwere increasingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · περισσεύωmain verb (second parallel imperfect)→ progressive imperfect (continuous growth)περισσεύω: 'to abound, overflow, increase'; the communities grow not merely in numbers but in superabundance — Paul's characteristic word for overflowing grace.
τῷin theDativearticle
ἀριθμῷnumberDativedative of respect (increasing with respect to number)ἀριθμός: 'number'; a Lukan growth-marker (cf. Acts 4:4; 6:1, 7) — the church grows in quality (faith) and quantity (number).
καθ᾽dailydistributive preposition (καθ᾽ ἡμέραν = daily)
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of time (distributive with κατά)ἡμέρα: 'day'; κατὰ ἡμέραν = 'day by day'; the continuous, relentless growth of the early church.
6

Διῆλθον δὲ τὴν Φρυγίαν καὶ Γαλατικὴν χώραν, κωλυθέντες ὑπὸ τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος λαλῆσαι τὸν λόγον ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ·

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Narrative continuation (divine redirection)δέThe aorist passive κωλυθέντες underlines that the Spirit's veto is the driving constraint — the missionaries are active (διῆλθον) but divinely redirected. The Spirit forbids two proposed mission fields (Asia here, Bithynia in v.7) before opening the third (Macedonia, v.9).
Διῆλθονthey passed throughAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διέρχομαιmain verb (narrative)→ constative aorist (completed traversal)διέρχομαι: 'to go through, pass through'; a common Lukan travel verb (cf. 8:4, 40; 9:32).
δέandnarrative particle
τήνtheAccusativearticle
ΦρυγίανPhrygiaAccusativeaccusative of extent/direction (with διῆλθον)Φρυγία: the inland region of Asia Minor where Pisidian Antioch and Iconium lie.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ΓαλατικήνGalatianAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying χώραν)Γαλατικός: 'Galatian'; the Galatian district — whether 'North Galatia' or the southern province is the famous Galatian hypothesis debate (irrelevant to Luke's narrative here).
χώρανregionAccusativeaccusative of extent (parallel to Φρυγίαν)χώρα: 'country, region, territory'; a broader geographical term than πόλις.
κωλυθέντεςhaving been forbiddenAor Pass Ptc Nom Pl Masc · κωλύωattendant circumstance / causal participle (explaining the direction taken)→ constative aorist (single decisive divine restraint)κωλύω: 'to hinder, prevent, forbid'; the divine passive — the Spirit is the agent; cf. the parallel 'Spirit of Jesus' in v.7.
ὑπόbypreposition + genitive (agent, divine passive)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἁγίουHolyGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying πνεύματος)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the Holy Spirit as the active director of the mission — cf. Acts 13:2, 4.
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive of agent (with κωλυθέντες)πνεῦμα: 'spirit, breath'; the Holy Spirit who guides and redirects the mission throughout Acts.
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωinfinitive of indirect object (what was forbidden)→ constative aorist (mission activity as a unit)λαλέω: 'to speak'; Luke's standard verb for missionary proclamation (cf. 4:1; 8:25; 13:42, 46).
τόνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativeaccusative direct object (of λαλῆσαι)λόγος: 'word'; ὁ λόγος as a fixed term for the gospel message throughout Acts (cf. 8:4; 10:36; 13:26).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἈσίᾳAsiaDativedative of place (with ἐν)Ἀσία: the Roman province of Asia (modern western Turkey, capital Ephesus); the Spirit blocks this now — Paul will return to Ephesus extensively in Acts 18–19.
7

ἐλθόντες δὲ κατὰ τὴν Μυσίαν ἐπείραζον εἰς τὴν Βιθυνίαν πορευθῆναι, καὶ οὐκ εἴασεν αὐτοὺς τὸ πνεῦμα Ἰησοῦ·

And when they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.

Narrative continuation (second redirection)δέA second divine veto, now named 'the Spirit of Jesus' (τὸ πνεῦμα Ἰησοῦ) — the only instance of this precise phrase in the NT, emphasizing the risen Lord's active direction. The two vetoes funnel the mission toward the sea coast and Macedonia.
ἐλθόντεςhaving comeAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιtemporal participle (prior to main action)→ constative aorist (arrival)ἔρχομαι: 'to come, arrive'; the participle sets the location for the attempted turn north.
δέandnarrative particle
κατάoppositepreposition + accusative (spatial — alongside/opposite)κατά + acc. of place: 'along, opposite, toward'; they traveled along the Mysia border.
τήνtheAccusativearticle
ΜυσίανMysiaAccusativeaccusative of location (with κατά)Μυσία: the northwest region of Asia Minor; they pass along its border on the way to Troas.
ἐπείραζονthey were attemptingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · πειράζωmain verb (conative imperfect)→ conative imperfect (attempted but blocked action)πειράζω: 'to attempt, try'; the imperfect here is conative — they tried but did not succeed because the Spirit stopped them.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τήνtheAccusativearticle
ΒιθυνίανBithyniaAccusativeaccusative of goal (with εἰς)Βιθυνία: the Roman province on the Black Sea coast of northern Asia Minor; later the site of Pliny's correspondence with Trajan about Christians (c. 112 AD).
πορευθῆναιto goAor Pass Inf · πορεύομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἐπείραζον)→ constative aorist (proposed journey)πορεύομαι: 'to go, travel, proceed'; Luke's common travel verb.
καίandcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)
οὐκnotnegation
εἴασενpermittedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐάωmain verb (divine veto)→ constative aorist (single decisive refusal)ἐάω: 'to allow, permit'; with οὐκ = 'did not allow/permit'; the Spirit as the mission's gatekeeper.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object (of εἴασεν)
τόtheNominativearticle (with πνεῦμα)
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject nominativeπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; with the genitive 'of Jesus' — the only NT occurrence of this precise phrase; emphasizes the continuity of mission direction with the risen Jesus himself.
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivegenitive of source/relationshipἸησοῦς: the risen Lord who actively directs his mission; 'Spirit of Jesus' rather than 'Holy Spirit' (v.6) may signal a more personal reference to Christ's ongoing governance.
8

παρελθόντες δὲ τὴν Μυσίαν κατέβησαν εἰς Τρῳάδα.

So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.

Narrative continuation (arrival at the pivotal port)δέTroas is the destination produced by both divine vetoes — the port city from which the vision will launch the Macedonian mission. The two participles (vv.6, 7) and this arrival prepare for the hinge vision of v.9.
παρελθόντεςpassing byAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · παρέρχομαιtemporal/attendant circumstance participle→ constative aorist (passing without entering)παρέρχομαι: 'to pass by, pass along'; they bypass Mysia rather than stopping — pressed toward the coast.
δέandnarrative particle
τήνtheAccusativearticle
ΜυσίανMysiaAccusativeaccusative direct object (of παρελθόντες, spatial)Μυσία: the northwest region; they pass it by entirely, descending to the Aegean coast.
κατέβησανthey went downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb (travel narrative)→ constative aorist (journey completed)καταβαίνω: 'to come/go down'; used of descending from the inland plateau to a coastal city — Troas is on the Aegean coast below the inland plateau.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΤρῳάδαTroasAccusativeaccusative of goal (with εἰς)Τρῳάς: Alexandria Troas; the key Aegean port near ancient Troy, the point from which Paul crosses to Europe; cf. Acts 20:5–6; 2 Cor 2:12.
9

καὶ ὅραμα διὰ νυκτὸς τῷ Παύλῳ ὤφθη, ἀνὴρ Μακεδών τις ἦν ἑστὼς καὶ παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων· Διαβὰς εἰς Μακεδονίαν βοήθησον ἡμῖν.

And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: a Macedonian man was standing and urging him, saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'

Pivotal narrative event (the Macedonian call)καίThe most consequential vision in Acts after the Damascus road: through it, the gospel crosses from Asia to Europe. The divine passive ὤφθη ('appeared') marks this as a divine communication. The Macedonian man's words — 'help us' (βοήθησον ἡμῖν) — may echo the Septuagintal call for help in the Psalms, adding a note of human helplessness awaiting divine rescue.
καίandnarrative conjunction
ὅραμαa visionNominativesubject nominativeὅραμα: 'vision, sight'; from ὁράω; used in Acts for divinely sent visions (9:10, 12; 10:3, 17; 12:9).
διάduringpreposition + genitive (time: throughout the night)
νυκτὸςthe nightGenitivegenitive of time (with διά)νύξ: 'night'; διὰ νυκτός = 'during/throughout the night' — the time of divine visions in Acts (cf. 18:9; 23:11).
τῷtoDativearticle (dative indirect object with ὤφθη)
ΠαύλῳPaulDativedative indirect object (recipient of the vision)Παῦλος: the apostle; the vision comes specifically to him, confirming his leadership of the mission.
ὤφθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (divine passive of appearance)→ constative aorist (the vision as a single event)ὁράω: 'to see'; the passive ὤφθη ('was seen, appeared') is the standard biblical idiom for divine appearances (cf. Gen 12:7 LXX; Acts 7:2, 26, 30, 35; 9:17).
ἀνήρa manNominativesubject nominative (of the descriptive ἦν clause)ἀνήρ: 'man, adult male'; the figure in the vision — Luke does not identify him; some propose Alexander or a Macedonian angel.
ΜακεδώνMacedonianNominativeappositive / predicate (identifying the man's origin)Μακεδών: 'a Macedonian'; the only occurrence in the NT of this ethnic term in a vision; how Paul recognized him as Macedonian is unexplained.
τιςcertainNominativeindefinite pronoun (attributive)
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίperiphrastic imperfect (with ἑστώς and παρακαλῶν)→ descriptive imperfect (the vision's continuous scene)
ἑστώςstandingPerf Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἵστημιperiphrastic predicate participle (with ἦν)→ intensive perfect (in a state of standing)ἵστημι: 'to stand'; the perfect ἑστώς describes a maintained posture — he stood before Paul in the vision.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
παρακαλῶνurgingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παρακαλέωperiphrastic predicate participle (with ἦν, parallel to ἑστώς)→ progressive present (ongoing pleading)παρακαλέω: 'to urge, appeal, beseech'; Luke's word for earnest appeal — here the Macedonian 'man' pleads on behalf of a needy people.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object (of παρακαλῶν)
καίandcoordinating conjunction
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of speech introduction (with direct discourse)→ progressive present (ongoing speaking)λέγω: 'to say, speak'; introduces the direct speech of the Macedonian appeal.
Διαβάςcrossing overAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · διαβαίνωattendant circumstance participle (with βοήθησον, imperatival force)→ constative aorist (the crossing as a precondition)διαβαίνω: 'to cross over'; the geographical act — crossing the Aegean — is also a missional metaphor for the gospel's movement from east to west.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΜακεδονίανMacedoniaAccusativeaccusative of goal (with εἰς)Μακεδονία: the Roman province in northern Greece; the gateway to Europe; Philip, Thessalonica, and Berea are its key cities in Acts.
βοήθησονhelpAor Act Impv 2 Sg · βοηθέωimperative (urgent appeal)→ constative aorist imperative (urgent summons to action)βοηθέω: 'to help, come to the aid of'; from βοή (shout) + θέω (run) — 'run to the shout of help'; LXX resonances of calling to God for deliverance (Ps 21:20 LXX).
ἡμῖνusDativedative indirect object (of βοήθησον)
10

ὡς δὲ τὸ ὅραμα εἶδεν, εὐθέως ἐζητήσαμεν ἐξελθεῖν εἰς Μακεδονίαν, συμβιβάζοντες ὅτι προσκέκληται ἡμᾶς ὁ θεὸς εὐαγγελίσασθαι αὐτούς.

And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Narrative result (immediate obedient response + first 'we')δέThe switch from third person to first person (ἐζητήσαμεν, 'we sought') is the beginning of the first 'we' passage (16:10–17), marking Luke's own participation in the mission. The perfect προσκέκληται ('has called') presents the divine summons as a standing, effectual call.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δέandnarrative particle
τόtheAccusativearticle
ὅραμαvisionAccusativeaccusative direct object (of εἶδεν)ὅραμα: 'vision'; the same word as v.9 — Luke binds the vision and its interpretation tightly.
εἶδενhe sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωverb of temporal clause→ constative aorist (the completed seeing)ὁράω: 'to see'; Paul as the visionary; the third-person εἶδεν is the last third-person form before the 'we' begins.
εὐθέωςimmediatelyadverb of timeεὐθέως: 'immediately, at once'; the expected response to a divine vision is immediate obedience — no delay, no debate.
ἐζητήσαμενwe soughtAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ζητέωmain verb (first 'we' verb)→ constative aorist (the decision and action as a unit)ζητέω: 'to seek'; here 'sought/tried to go' — the first-person plural marks the eyewitness 'we' (Luke joins the team at Troas).
ἐξελθεῖνto go outAor Act Inf · ἐξέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἐζητήσαμεν)→ constative aorist (departure as purpose)ἐξέρχομαι: 'to go out/depart'; they depart from Troas to cross to Macedonia.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΜακεδονίανMacedoniaAccusativeaccusative of goal (with εἰς)Μακεδονία: the vision's destination; Paul will plant the Philippian church there.
συμβιβάζοντεςconcludingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · συμβιβάζωattendant circumstance / manner participle→ progressive present (ongoing reasoning)συμβιβάζω: 'to bring together, conclude, infer'; from σύν + βιβάζω ('to bring'); the team reasons its way to a theological conclusion — divine calling — from the vision.
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause with συμβιβάζοντες)
προσκέκληταιhas calledPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσκαλέομαιmain verb of ὅτι clause→ intensive perfect (the call stands as a present reality)προσκαλέομαι: 'to call to oneself, summon'; the perfect 'has called and the call stands' — God's invitation to Macedonia is a settled divine summons.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object (of προσκέκληται)
theNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubject nominativeθεός: 'God'; the team identifies the vision as a divine summons — the Spirit of Jesus (v.7), the Holy Spirit (v.6), and now ὁ θεός are the same directing agency.
εὐαγγελίσασθαιto preach the gospelAor Mid Inf · εὐαγγελίζομαιinfinitive of purpose/result (epexegetical to προσκέκληται)→ constative aorist (the evangelistic mission as a whole)εὐαγγελίζομαι: 'to proclaim good news'; Luke's key mission verb; the entire Macedonia mission is captured in one word — the purpose of the divine call.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object (of εὐαγγελίσασθαι)
11

Ἀναχθέντες δὲ ἀπὸ Τρῳάδος εὐθυδρομήσαμεν εἰς Σαμοθρᾴκην, τῇ τε ἐπιούσῃ εἰς Νέαν Πόλιν,

Setting sail therefore from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,

Narrative continuation (the voyage)δέThe 'we' narration continues. εὐθυδρομήσαμεν ('ran a straight course') is a nautical term implying a favorable wind — a providential sail; contrast 20:13–15 where the same journey takes much longer.
Ἀναχθέντεςsetting sailAor Pass Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀνάγωattendant circumstance participle (prior to main verb)→ constative aorist (departure as a whole)ἀνάγω: 'to lead up, put out to sea'; the nautical passive ἀναχθέντες = 'having put out to sea'; a standard Lukan sailing term (cf. 13:13; 16:11; 18:21; 20:3, 13; 21:1–2; 27:2, 4, 12, 21; 28:10–11).
δέthereforenarrative particle (resumptive)
ἀπόfrompreposition + genitive (separation/origin)
ΤρῳάδοςTroasGenitivegenitive of separation (with ἀπό)Τρῳάς: Alexandria Troas; the departure port — site of the Macedonian vision.
εὐθυδρομήσαμενwe ran a straight courseAor Act Indic 1 Pl · εὐθυδρομέωmain verb (nautical, 'we' narrator)→ constative aorist (the direct voyage as a whole)εὐθυδρομέω: 'to run a straight (direct) course'; a nautical technical term for sailing directly before a favorable wind; rare in Greek literature — here and Acts 21:1.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΣαμοθρᾴκηνSamothraceAccusativeaccusative of goalΣαμοθρᾴκη: the island of Samothrace in the northern Aegean; a natural overnight anchorage on the Troas-to-Macedonia route.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἐπιούσῃ, temporal dative)
τεandconnective particle (linking the two stops)
ἐπιούσῃfollowingPres Act Ptc Dat Sg Fem · ἔπειμιattributive participle (modifying ἡμέρᾳ, implied; temporal dative)→ progressive present (the day coming on)ἔπειμι: 'to come upon, follow'; τῇ ἐπιούσῃ (sc. ἡμέρᾳ) = 'on the following/next day' — a standard Lukan temporal marker (cf. 7:26; 16:11; 20:15; 21:18; 23:11).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΝέανNewAccusativeattributive adjective (with Πόλιν)νέος: 'new'; part of the compound place name.
ΠόλινCityAccusativeaccusative of goal (proper name component)Νέα Πόλις: 'Neapolis,' modern Kavala; the port city of Philippi on the Aegean coast; the first footfall in Europe.
12

κἀκεῖθεν εἰς Φιλίππους, ἥτις ἐστὶν πρώτη τῆς μερίδος Μακεδονίας πόλις, κολωνία. Ἦμεν δὲ ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ πόλει διατρίβοντες ἡμέρας τινάς.

and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

Narrative (arrival and residence)δέLuke introduces Philippi with civic pride: πρώτη ... κολωνία ('a leading city ... a Roman colony'). The textual variant between πρώτη ('first/leading') and πρώτης ('of the first district') is a famous crux. The 'we' residence narrative establishes the base before the Sabbath scene.
κἀκεῖθενand from thereadverb of place (crasis: καὶ + ἐκεῖθεν)ἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; κἀκεῖθεν is a Lukan crasis common in travel narratives (cf. 13:21; 14:26; 20:15; 21:1; 27:4, 12; 28:15).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ΦιλίππουςPhilippiAccusativeaccusative of goalΦίλιπποι: Philippi; named after Philip II of Macedon; a Roman colony (colonia Iulia Augusta Philippensis) on the Via Egnatia; site of the battle of 42 BC.
ἥτιςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative, characterizing Philippi)ὅστις: 'whoever, which (by its very nature)'; the qualitative relative introduces Luke's civic description.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίpredicate verb of relative clause→ gnomic present (permanent identity)
πρώτηa leadingNominativepredicate nominative (civic rank)πρῶτος: 'first, leading'; the sense 'leading city' is the most natural; 'first' in rank or district (the textual crux of πρώτη vs. πρώτης turns on whether it is a district designation or a civic title).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
μερίδοςdistrictGenitivegenitive of definition (the part/district of Macedonia)μερίς: 'part, portion, district'; Macedonia was divided into four districts (merides) by the Romans in 167 BC; Philippi was in the first district.
Μακεδονίαςof MacedoniaGenitivegenitive of relationship (the district belongs to Macedonia)Μακεδονία: the Roman province — first step in the westward expansion of the gospel into Europe.
πόλιςcityNominativepredicate nominative (appositive/explanatory to πρώτη)πόλις: 'city'; Philippi is identified by its civic standing, priming the reader for the Roman citizenship claim in v.37.
κολωνίαa colonyNominativepredicate nominative (Latin loanword, civic title)κολωνία: Latin loanword colonia; a Roman colony settled by veterans with full Roman civil rights — Paul's status as a Roman citizen will matter in vv.37–39.
Ἦμενwe wereImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (residence, 'we' narrator)→ progressive imperfect (extended stay)
δέandnarrative particle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (attributive to πόλει)
τῇtheDativearticle
πόλειcityDativedative of place (with ἐν)πόλις: 'city'; repeated from the civic description — Philippi is the focus of the following narrative.
διατρίβοντεςspending timePres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · διατρίβωperiphrastic participle (with ἦμεν, descriptive)→ progressive present (ongoing residence)διατρίβω: 'to spend time, remain, stay'; a standard Lukan residence verb (cf. 12:19; 14:3, 28; 15:35; 20:6).
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration of timeἡμέρα: 'day'; the vague 'some days' (τινάς) before the Sabbath scene — long enough to observe the community's rhythms.
τινάςsomeAccusativeattributive pronoun (modifying ἡμέρας, indefinite)
13

τῇ τε ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων ἐξήλθομεν ἔξω τῆς πύλης παρὰ ποταμόν, οὗ ἐνομίζομεν προσευχὴν εἶναι, καὶ καθίσαντες ἐλαλοῦμεν ταῖς συνελθούσαις γυναιξίν.

And on the day of the Sabbath we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and sitting down we spoke to the women who had come together.

Narrative continuation (Sabbath activity)τεThe absence of a synagogue — implied by going to a riverside προσευχή (prayer place) — indicates a small or no Jewish community in Philippi. ἐνομίζομεν ('we supposed') is an eyewitness's honest acknowledgment of a working assumption, not a confirmed fact.
τῇon theDativearticle (temporal dative)
τεandconnective particle (coordinating with previous)
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (temporal)ἡμέρα: 'day'; τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων = 'on the day of Sabbaths/the Sabbath day.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
σαββάτωνSabbathGenitivegenitive of definition/epexegetical (day of the Sabbath)σάββατον: the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday); Paul's consistent practice of synagogue-first on the Sabbath (cf. 13:14; 14:1; 17:2, 10; 18:4).
ἐξήλθομενwe went outAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb ('we' narrator)→ constative aorist (single departure)ἐξέρχομαι: 'to go out/come out'; the team leaves the city — a detail supporting the location of the prayer place outside the walls.
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive with ἔξω (outside the gate)πύλη: 'gate'; the city gate of Philippi; the Via Egnatia runs through it. Prayer outside the gate beside water was common for Jewish communities too small for a synagogue (requiring ten adult male Jews).
παράbesidepreposition + accusative (spatial: beside/along)
ποταμόνa riverAccusativeaccusative with παρά (spatial)ποταμός: 'river'; traditionally identified as the Gangites (modern Angitis/Aggitis), a tributary of the Strymon near Philippi.
οὗwhererelative adverb of place
ἐνομίζομενwe supposedImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · νομίζωrelative clause verb→ progressive imperfect (working assumption)νομίζω: 'to think, suppose, consider'; an honest admission that this was a presumption; confirms the absence of a formally established synagogue.
προσευχήνa place of prayerAccusativeaccusative object (of εἶναι, indirect statement)προσευχή: 'prayer'; in the Diaspora, προσευχή could mean 'place of prayer' (a semi-formal gathering site, sometimes outdoors near water) as well as the act of prayer.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of indirect statement (with ἐνομίζομεν)→ progressive present (ongoing existence)
καίandcoordinating conjunction
καθίσαντεςsitting downAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · καθίζωattendant circumstance participle (the typical teaching posture)→ constative aorist (prior action)καθίζω: 'to sit down'; the seated posture of a Jewish teacher (cf. Lk 4:20; Matt 5:1); Paul and the team assume the authoritative teaching position.
ἐλαλοῦμενwe were speakingImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · λαλέωmain verb ('we', iterative/progressive imperfect)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing instruction)λαλέω: 'to speak'; the imperfect captures the sustained conversation/teaching — not a one-shot proclamation.
ταῖςto theDativearticle
συνελθούσαιςgatheredAor Act Ptc Dat Pl Fem · συνέρχομαιattributive participle (modifying γυναιξίν)→ constative aorist (those who had assembled)συνέρχομαι: 'to come together, assemble'; only women are mentioned — a detail of importance for the founding of the church (Lydia being its key figure).
γυναιξίνwomenDativedative indirect object (of ἐλαλοῦμεν)γυνή: 'woman'; the only audience mentioned — the first European church is planted through women, then through the jailer's household.
14

καί τις γυνὴ ὀνόματι Λυδία, πορφυρόπωλις πόλεως Θυατείρων, σεβομένη τὸν θεόν, ἤκουεν· ἧς ὁ κύριος διήνοιξεν τὴν καρδίαν προσέχειν τοῖς λαλουμένοις ὑπὸ τοῦ Παύλου.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, was listening, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul.

Character introduction and conversionκαίLydia is the first named European convert: a God-fearer (σεβομένη τὸν θεόν), commercially successful (a purple trader from Thyatira), yet her conversion is entirely from divine initiative — ὁ κύριος διήνοιξεν τὴν καρδίαν. The divine passive is replaced by an explicit divine subject: it is the Lord who opens, not Lydia who reaches.
καίandnarrative conjunction
τιςa certainNominativeindefinite pronoun (attributive, introducing new character)
γυνήwomanNominativesubject nominativeγυνή: 'woman'; Luke's consistent attention to women as significant figures in the mission narrative.
ὀνόματιby nameDativedative of reference (name formula)ὄνομα: 'name'; the dative naming formula (as at v.1 for Timothy).
ΛυδίαLydiaNominativeapposition (proper name)Λυδία: 'Lydia'; the name may be an ethnic descriptor (from Lydia in Asia Minor, where Thyatira was) or a personal name; the first named convert in Europe.
πορφυρόπωλιςseller of purpleNominativepredicate nominative (occupation)πορφυρόπωλις: 'purple-cloth dealer'; from πορφύρα (purple dye) + πωλέω (to sell); a rare compound; Thyatira was famous for its purple-dye guilds (cf. Rev 2:18 — a church in Thyatira).
πόλεωςof the cityGenitivegenitive of originπόλις: 'city'; she comes from Thyatira — a textile center in Lydia (Asia Minor).
Θυατείρωνof ThyatiraGenitivegenitive of specification (the city identified)Θυάτειρα: Thyatira; a city in Lydia famous for trade guilds including dyeing; one of the seven churches of Rev 2–3.
σεβομένηworshippingPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Fem · σέβομαιattributive participle (characterizing Lydia)→ progressive present (habitual religious practice)σέβομαι: 'to worship, revere'; σεβόμενοι τὸν θεόν = 'worshippers of God' — Luke's technical term for Gentile God-fearers (cf. 13:43, 50; 16:14; 17:4, 17; 18:7).
τόνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative object (of σεβομένη)θεός: God; she worships the God of Israel but is not a full proselyte; her heart is therefore prepared for the gospel.
ἤκουενwas listeningImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (sustained, attentive listening)ἀκούω: 'to hear, listen'; the imperfect pictures Lydia as actively, persistently listening — the posture of faith.
ἧςwhoseGenitivegenitive relative pronoun (possessive: her heart)
theNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject nominative (divine agent)κύριος: 'Lord'; the explicit divine subject — the Lord (whether God or Christ) is the agent of Lydia's conversion, not Paul's rhetoric.
διήνοιξενopenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διανοίγωmain verb (relative clause, divine action)→ constative aorist (single decisive divine act)διανοίγω: 'to open thoroughly'; a compound of διά + ἀνοίγω; used of opening the scriptures (Lk 24:45; Acts 17:3) and of opening hearts — the same verb Luke uses for the Emmaus moment.
τήνtheAccusativearticle
καρδίανheartAccusativeaccusative direct object (of διήνοιξεν)καρδία: 'heart'; the locus of understanding, will, and trust in biblical anthropology — God's prevenient action opens what human persuasion cannot.
προσέχεινto pay attentionPres Act Inf · προσέχωinfinitive of result/purpose (what the opened heart does)→ progressive present (ongoing attention)προσέχω: 'to give heed to, pay attention to'; the opened heart is immediately active — Lydia's listening becomes genuine hearing and responsiveness.
τοῖςthe thingsDativearticle (with λαλουμένοις, substantival)
λαλουμένοιςbeing spokenPres Pass Ptc Dat Pl Neut · λαλέωsubstantival participle (object of προσέχειν: 'what was being said')→ progressive present (the ongoing teaching)λαλέω: 'to speak'; the passive 'what was being spoken' — Luke frames Paul's words as the instrument; the Lord's action on the heart is the effective cause.
ὑπόbypreposition + genitive (agent, passive)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ΠαύλουPaulGenitivegenitive of agent (with ὑπό)Παῦλος: Paul, the human instrument — the word is his, but the opening of the heart is the Lord's.
15

ὡς δὲ ἐβαπτίσθη καὶ ὁ οἶκος αὐτῆς, παρεκάλεσεν λέγουσα· Εἰ κεκρίκατέ με πιστὴν τῷ κυρίῳ εἶναι, εἰσελθόντες εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου μένετε· καὶ παρεβιάσατο ἡμᾶς.

And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.' And she prevailed upon us.

Narrative result (baptism and hospitality)δέLydia's hospitality is a conditional that is really a declaration: εἰ κεκρίκατε ... εἶναι — 'if you have judged me faithful.' The perfect κεκρίκατε appeals to a standing judgment about her character. παρεβιάσατο ('she prevailed upon us') implies persistence — she would not be refused; the first European church is hosted by a businesswoman.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction
δέandnarrative particle
ἐβαπτίσθηwas baptizedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · βαπτίζωtemporal clause verb→ constative aorist (the baptism as a single event)βαπτίζω: 'to baptize, immerse'; the passive marks Lydia as the recipient — she is baptized, not self-baptizing.
καίandcoordinating conjunction (adding the household)
theNominativearticle
οἶκοςhouseholdNominativesubject nominative (of ἐβαπτίσθη, compound subject)οἶκος: 'house, household'; the whole household baptized — Luke's pattern of household conversions in Acts (cf. 10:2; 11:14; 16:31, 33–34; 18:8).
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (her household)
παρεκάλεσενshe urgedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ constative aorist (the appeal)παρακαλέω: 'to urge, appeal'; the same word as the Macedonian man's appeal in v.9 — Lydia embodies the answer to that call.
λέγουσαsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Fem · λέγωparticiple of speech introduction→ progressive presentλέγω: 'to say'; introduces the direct speech of her conditional appeal.
Εἰifconditional conjunction (first-class condition, assumed true)
κεκρίκατέyou have judgedPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · κρίνωverb of protasis (first-class condition)→ intensive perfect (standing verdict)κρίνω: 'to judge, decide'; the perfect 'you have judged (and your verdict stands)' — she appeals to the missionaries' own assessment of her conversion as genuine.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object (of κεκρίκατε, with infinitive εἶναι)
πιστήνfaithfulAccusativepredicate accusative (accusative + infinitive: 'me to be faithful')πιστός: 'faithful, believing, trustworthy'; she claims the title — and by her actions immediately demonstrates it through generous hospitality.
τῷto theDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativedative of reference (faithful to/with respect to the Lord)κύριος: 'Lord'; the same Lord who opened her heart (v.14) is the Lord she now claims to trust.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of indirect statement (accusative + infinitive with κεκρίκατε)→ gnomic present (her present identity)
εἰσελθόντεςenteringAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · εἰσέρχομαιattendant circumstance participle (with μένετε, imperatival)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'to enter, come in'; the participle + imperative = 'come in and stay.'
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τόνtheAccusativearticle
οἶκόνhouseAccusativeaccusative object (of εἰσελθόντες)οἶκος: 'house'; the same word used for her whole household; her house becomes the first European house-church (cf. v.40).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
μένετεstayPres Act Impv 2 Pl · μένωimperative (the main command of the apodosis)→ progressive present imperative (ongoing residence)μένω: 'to remain, stay, abide'; Lydia invites the missionaries to make her house their base — the church at Philippi is founded on her hospitality.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
παρεβιάσατοprevailed uponAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραβιάζομαιmain verb (result)→ constative aorist (she persuaded them — done)παραβιάζομαι: 'to constrain, compel, urge strongly, prevail upon'; used only here and Luke 24:29 (Emmaus: 'they constrained him to stay') — a Lukan touch linking the two stories of recognizing the Lord and urgently pressing hospitality.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object (of παρεβιάσατο)
16

Ἐγένετο δὲ πορευομένων ἡμῶν εἰς τὴν προσευχήν, παιδίσκην τινὰ ἔχουσαν πνεῦμα πύθωνα ὑπαντῆσαι ἡμῖν, ἥτις ἐργασίαν πολλὴν παρεῖχεν τοῖς κυρίοις αὐτῆς μαντευομένη.

As we were going to the place of prayer, it happened that a certain slave girl having a python spirit met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.

Narrative complication (new character, spiritual conflict)δέThe Lukan Semitic formula Ἐγένετο + infinitive (cf. 9:32; 14:1) opens the complication. The python-spirit (πνεῦμα πύθωνα) alludes to the Delphic Python — the prophetic spirit of Apollo; the girl is a mantic slave. The contrast with Lydia (free, wealthy, opened by the Lord) could not be sharper.
Ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Semitic narrative formula)→ constative aorist (single event)γίνομαι: 'to happen, become'; ἐγένετο + inf. = Septuagintal narrative formula (cf. Lk 1:8; Acts 9:32; 14:1).
δέandnarrative particle
πορευομένωνgoingPres Mid Ptc Gen Pl Masc · πορεύομαιgenitive absolute (temporal: as we were going)→ progressive present (ongoing journey)πορεύομαι: 'to go, travel'; the genitive absolute with ἡμῶν sets the temporal frame.
ἡμῶνweGenitivegenitive absolute subject (of πορευομένων)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
τήνtheAccusativearticle
προσευχήνprayer placeAccusativeaccusative of goal (the place of prayer, cf. v.13)προσευχή: 'place of prayer'; the same riverside location as v.13 — confirming it was a regular gathering spot.
παιδίσκηνa slave girlAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (with ἐγένετο + ὑπαντῆσαι)παιδίσκη: 'slave girl, female servant'; diminutive of παῖς — she is doubly marginalized: enslaved and female, yet her spirit-testimony is noted.
τινάcertainAccusativeindefinite pronoun (attributive)
ἔχουσανhavingPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Fem · ἔχωattributive participle (modifying παιδίσκην)→ progressive present (habitual possession)ἔχω: 'to have, possess'; the girl is characterized by what she has — the python-spirit.
πνεῦμαa spiritAccusativeaccusative direct object (of ἔχουσαν)πνεῦμα: 'spirit'; the demonic spirit that enables her mantic activity — contrasted with the Holy Spirit who guides Paul.
πύθωναpythonAccusativeaccusative in apposition (qualifying πνεῦμα)Πύθων: the Python; in Greek mythology the serpent killed by Apollo at Delphi; 'python spirit' = the spirit of the Delphic oracle; the LXX uses πύθων for the Hebrew אוֹב (familiar spirit, Lev 20:27; 1 Sam 28:7).
ὑπαντῆσαιto meetAor Act Inf · ὑπαντάωinfinitive with ἐγένετο (subject = παιδίσκην)→ constative aorist (the encounter)ὑπαντάω: 'to meet, come to meet'; the meeting is providential — the slave girl's spirit recognizes Paul.
ἡμῖνusDativedative indirect object (of ὑπαντῆσαι)
ἥτιςwhoNominativequalitative relative pronounὅστις: 'whoever, who by her very nature'; the qualitative relative introduces her income-generating function.
ἐργασίανprofitAccusativeaccusative direct object (of παρεῖχεν)ἐργασία: 'work, business, profit, gain'; used for commercial income (cf. Acts 19:24–25) — the slave girl is an economic asset whose exorcism creates the conflict.
πολλήνmuchAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἐργασίαν)πολύς: 'much, many, great'; the income was substantial — making her owners' outrage entirely predictable.
παρεῖχενwas providingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · παρέχωmain verb of relative clause→ progressive imperfect (habitual, ongoing income)παρέχω: 'to provide, offer, cause'; the imperfect underlines the ongoing, reliable revenue stream she represented.
τοῖςto theDativearticle
κυρίοιςmastersDativedative indirect object (of παρεῖχεν)κύριος: 'lord, master, owner'; the plural suggests multiple owners — a business partnership exploiting the girl; their title κύριοι ('masters') stands in ironic contrast to Paul's κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός in v.18.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship (possessive — her masters)
μαντευομένηby fortune-tellingPres Mid Ptc Nom Sg Fem · μαντεύομαιparticiple of means (how she provided income)→ progressive present (habitual activity)μαντεύομαι: 'to divine, prophesy, practice divination'; a NT hapax; from μάντις ('seer, prophet'); the word deliberately contrasts with the true prophetic activity in Acts — same form, opposite source.
17

αὕτη κατακολουθοῦσα τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ ἡμῖν ἔκραζεν λέγουσα· Οὗτοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι δοῦλοι τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου εἰσίν, οἵτινες καταγγέλλουσιν ὑμῖν ὁδὸν σωτηρίας.

She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.'

Complication (demonic testimony — true but unwanted)asyndetonThe slave girl's cry is theologically accurate: Paul and Silas are servants of the Most High God proclaiming a way of salvation. Yet the demonic source is a problem — just as in the Gospels, Jesus silenced demons despite their true confessions (Mk 1:24–25; 3:11–12). The title 'Most High God' (θεὸς ὕψιστος) was used in pagan as well as Jewish contexts, making the confession ambiguous.
αὕτηsheNominativesubject nominative (demonstrative used as pronoun)
κατακολουθοῦσαfollowingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Fem · κατακολουθέωtemporal/attendant circumstance participle→ progressive present (persistent following, 'many days')κατακολουθέω: 'to follow closely after'; the κατά prefix intensifies — she doggedly, persistently follows them.
τῷtheDativearticle
ΠαύλῳPaulDativedative object (of κατακολουθοῦσα)Παῦλος: Paul; the spirit recognizes him specifically — Paul is the primary target.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἡμῖνusDativedative object (parallel to Παύλῳ)
ἔκραζενwas crying outImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κράζωmain verb→ iterative imperfect (repeated, persistent crying out over many days)κράζω: 'to cry out, shout'; the imperfect with 'many days' (v.18) = day after day, persistent demonic testimony — the harassment that finally prompts Paul's exorcism.
λέγουσαsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Fem · λέγωparticiple of speech introduction→ progressive presentλέγω: 'to say'; introduces the direct speech of the demonic confession.
ΟὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject, with οἱ ἄνθρωποι)
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject nominativeἄνθρωπος: 'human being, man'; the spirit identifies them as human — though their power is divine.
δοῦλοιservantsNominativepredicate nominativeδοῦλος: 'slave, servant'; Paul and Silas are 'slaves of God' — the same status as the slave girl herself, but in willing service of the true God rather than coerced service of human masters.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship (servants of God)θεός: God; the confession is true, but the source is the python spirit.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ὑψίστου)
ὑψίστουMost HighGenitiveattributive genitive (superlative: the Highest God)ὕψιστος: 'highest, most high'; a biblical title for the God of Israel (Gen 14:18 LXX; Ps 77:35 LXX) but also used in Hellenistic paganism for a supreme deity — the ambiguity makes the testimony useful to no one.
εἰσίνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίpredicate verb→ gnomic present (stating a fact)
οἵτινεςwhoNominativequalitative relative pronoun (characterizing what they do)ὅστις: 'who by their very nature'; introduces the characterization of their mission.
καταγγέλλουσινare proclaimingPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καταγγέλλωmain verb of relative clause→ progressive present (ongoing mission activity)καταγγέλλω: 'to proclaim, announce'; a Lukan/Pauline proclamation verb (cf. Acts 4:2; 13:38; 17:3, 13, 23).
ὑμῖνto youDativedative indirect object
ὁδόνa wayAccusativeaccusative direct objectὁδός: 'way, road, path'; 'a way of salvation' — ὁδός as a term for the Christian gospel/movement (cf. Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22) — the demonic announcement is theologically accurate.
σωτηρίαςof salvationGenitivegenitive of definition (the way = salvation)σωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; foreshadows the jailer's question in v.30 ('what must I do to be saved?') — the python spirit announces what Paul will deliver.
18

τοῦτο δὲ ἐποίει ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας. διαπονηθεὶς δὲ Παῦλος καὶ ἐπιστρέψας τῷ πνεύματι εἶπεν· παραγγέλλω σοι ἐν ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐξελθεῖν ἀπ᾽ αὐτῆς. καὶ ἐξῆλθεν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ.

And this she kept doing for many days. But Paul, greatly 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 very hour.

Climax (exorcism, name of Jesus Christ)δέThe exorcism is terse and total: Paul's single command in the name of Jesus Christ is immediately effective (αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, 'at that very hour'). διαπονηθεὶς ('greatly annoyed/grieved') is the same verb used of the Jerusalem authorities' annoyance in 4:2 — the spiritual conflict is real and personal.
τοῦτοthisAccusativeaccusative direct object (referring back to her crying out)
δέandnarrative particle
ἐποίειshe kept doingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ iterative imperfect (day after day)ποιέω: 'to do, make'; the imperfect + ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας = repeated, persistent action over many days.
ἐπίforpreposition + accusative (extent of time)
πολλάςmanyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)πολύς: 'many, much'; the harassment was prolonged — 'for many days.'
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of time extent (with ἐπί)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the repeated daily testimony is a spiritual confrontation Paul ultimately refuses to ignore.
διαπονηθείςgreatly annoyedAor Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · διαπονέομαιtemporal/causal participle (motivating the exorcism)→ constative aorist (the moment of decisive reaction)διαπονέομαι: 'to be greatly annoyed, troubled, vexed'; a strong emotion word — Paul is not merely mildly bothered; the same verb as 4:2 where the authorities were 'greatly disturbed.'
δέbutnarrative particle (mild contrast/transition)
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject nominativeΠαῦλος: the apostle now acts decisively against the python spirit.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιστρέψαςturningAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιστρέφωattendant circumstance participle (bodily turning to address the spirit)→ constative aorist (the physical gesture)ἐπιστρέφω: 'to turn around, turn toward'; the physical gesture of confrontation — Paul turns toward the spirit.
τῷto theDativearticle
πνεύματιspiritDativedative indirect object (of ἐπιστρέψας — he turned to the spirit)πνεῦμα: 'spirit'; Paul addresses the spirit, not the girl — the exorcism is directed at the demonic agent.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introducing the exorcistic command)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'to say'; the single command that ends the oppression.
παραγγέλλωI commandPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παραγγέλλωperformative present (the command is the act)→ performative present (issuing a command in the very act of speaking)παραγγέλλω: 'to command, order, give orders'; a military/authoritative term — Paul commands with apostolic authority.
σοιyouDativedative indirect object (the spirit addressed)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (authority/instrumentality: in the name of)
ὀνόματιthe nameDativedative of means/authority (ἐν ὀνόματι = by the authority of)ὄνομα: 'name'; the name of Jesus Christ is the power by which demons are expelled in Acts (3:6; 4:10; 16:18; 19:13–16).
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivegenitive of identity (the name = Jesus Christ)Ἰησοῦς: the full name — Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ — grounds the exorcism in the person of the risen Lord, not a formula.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive in apposition (the Christ, the Messiah)Χριστός: 'the Anointed, Messiah'; cf. the failed exorcists of 19:13 who use the name as a formula — Paul uses it with apostolic authority.
ἐξελθεῖνto come outAor Act Inf · ἐξέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (content of the command)→ constative aorist (the departure as a complete act)ἐξέρχομαι: 'to go/come out'; the commanded exit of the spirit.
ἀπ᾽frompreposition + genitive (separation)
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of separation (out of the girl)
καίandcoordinating conjunction (result)
ἐξῆλθενit came outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (immediate result)→ constative aorist (immediate, complete departure)ἐξέρχομαι: 'to go out'; instant, complete — no resistance, no delayed effect; the name of Jesus Christ is immediately effective.
αὐτῇthe veryDativeintensive pronoun (with τῇ ὥρᾳ: 'that very hour')αὐτός: 'self, same'; αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ = 'at that very hour' — a Lukan immediacy idiom.
τῇtheDativearticle
ὥρᾳhourDativedative of time (with αὐτῇ: at that very hour)ὥρα: 'hour, moment'; the immediacy underlines that the power of the name of Jesus is complete and instantaneous.
19

Ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ κύριοι αὐτῆς ὅτι ἐξῆλθεν ἡ ἐλπὶς τῆς ἐργασίας αὐτῶν, ἐπιλαβόμενοι τὸν Παῦλον καὶ τὸν Σιλᾶν εἵλκυσαν εἰς τὴν ἀγοράν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας,

But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,

Narrative complication (economic motivation of persecution)δέThe exorcism's immediate result is not gratitude but legal attack: ἡ ἐλπὶς τῆς ἐργασίας ('their hope of profit') has departed with the spirit. Luke's wording is pointedly commercial — the owners' sole motivation is financial, not theological, yet they frame their grievance in civic-religious terms (v.21). Silas is mentioned for the first time in the chapter as co-defendant.
ἸδόντεςseeingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωtemporal/causal participle (their perception motivates the action)→ constative aorist (the moment of realization)ὁράω: 'to see'; the owners see the economic damage and react.
δέbutnarrative particle (adversative: contrast with Paul's intent)
οἱtheNominativearticle
κύριοιmastersNominativesubject nominativeκύριος: 'master, owner'; the plural masters (cf. v.16) are now identified as the antagonists who drive Paul's arrest — the spiritual conflict becomes socio-economic conflict.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (her masters)
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause with ἰδόντες: they saw that ...)
ἐξῆλθενhad gone outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb of ὅτι clause→ constative aorist (the spirit's departure)ἐξέρχομαι: the same verb as v.18 — the owners see the result of Paul's exorcism.
theNominativearticle
ἐλπίςhopeNominativesubject nominative (of ἐξῆλθεν)ἐλπίς: 'hope, expectation'; the irony is sharp — ἐλπίς is Paul's great theological term for Christian hope (cf. Rom 5:4–5; 15:13); here 'hope' = monetary expectation.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐργασίαςprofitGenitiveobjective genitive (their hope = the profit)ἐργασία: 'business, trade, profit'; cf. v.16 — the same word; the income-generating capacity of the girl has been destroyed by the exorcism.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐπιλαβόμενοιseizingAor Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιattendant circumstance participle (with εἵλκυσαν)→ constative aorist (single violent action)ἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'to take hold of, seize'; a physical, violent grab — Paul and Silas are arrested by force.
τόνtheAccusativearticle
ΠαῦλονPaulAccusativeaccusative direct object (of ἐπιλαβόμενοι)Παῦλος: Paul — named first as the primary target.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
τόνtheAccusativearticle
ΣιλᾶνSilasAccusativeaccusative direct object (of ἐπιλαβόμενοι, parallel to Παῦλον)Σιλᾶς: Silas (Silvanus); Paul's co-missionary from Jerusalem (Acts 15:22, 27, 32, 40); he is arrested with Paul and will be his prison-companion.
εἵλκυσανdraggedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἑλκύωmain verb (violent action)→ constative aoristἑλκύω: 'to drag, haul'; forcible, contemptuous treatment — they drag them to the forum.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τήνtheAccusativearticle
ἀγοράνmarketplaceAccusativeaccusative of goal (civic forum)ἀγορά: 'marketplace, forum'; the civic center of Philippi — a Roman colony's forum was also its judicial space where magistrates presided.
ἐπίbeforepreposition + accusative (presence before authority)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἄρχονταςrulersAccusativeaccusative with ἐπί (before/to the rulers)ἄρχων: 'ruler, magistrate'; in a Roman colony the duoviri (or magistrates) — cf. στρατηγοί ('praetors') in v.20 — the Roman title for Philippian magistrates.
20

καὶ προσαγαγόντες αὐτοὺς τοῖς στρατηγοῖς εἶπαν· Οὗτοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἐκταράσσουσιν ἡμῶν τὴν πόλιν Ἰουδαῖοι ὑπάρχοντες,

and having brought them before the praetors said, 'These men are greatly disturbing our city, being Jews,

Legal accusation (civic and ethnic charge)καίThe accusation before the στρατηγοί ('praetors' — the usual title for Roman colonial magistrates) is two-pronged: (1) civic disturbance (ἐκταράσσουσιν), and (2) Jewishness — an ethnic slur exploiting Roman prejudice against Jews. The actual motive (lost income) is carefully omitted.
καίandnarrative conjunction
προσαγαγόντεςbringing forwardAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · προσάγωattendant circumstance participle (with εἶπαν)→ constative aorist (the formal presentation)προσάγω: 'to bring to, lead before'; a legal/judicial term — the accusers formally present Paul and Silas before the magistrates.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative direct object (of προσαγαγόντες)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
στρατηγοῖςpraetorsDativedative indirect object (before the magistrates)στρατηγός: 'general, praetor'; in a Roman colony, the duoviri were popularly called στρατηγοί — Luke uses the correct local Greek equivalent for the Latin title praetores.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introducing accusation)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'to say'; introduces the formal charge.
ΟὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (emphatic subject, contemptuous)
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject nominativeἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; the irony: the slave girl calls them 'servants of the Most High God' (v.17); the owners call them 'these men' — dismissive and threatening.
ἐκταράσσουσινare greatly disturbingPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκταράσσωmain verb of accusation→ progressive present (ongoing disturbance alleged)ἐκταράσσω: 'to throw into great confusion, deeply disturb'; a NT hapax; the ἐκ- prefix intensifies — 'they are totally disrupting our city.'
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (our city)
τήνtheAccusativearticle
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative direct object (of ἐκταράσσουσιν)πόλις: 'city'; 'our city' — the accusers identify Philippi as their Roman colony and the missionaries as foreign disturbers of its peace.
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativepredicate nominative (ethnicity as accusation)Ἰουδαῖος: 'Jew'; the ethnic identification is used as an aggravating charge — anti-Jewish sentiment in Roman colonies was real (Jews had been expelled from Rome under Claudius, Acts 18:2).
ὑπάρχοντεςbeingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ὑπάρχωcausal/attributive participle (giving their Jewish identity as a ground for the charge)→ progressive present (ongoing identity)ὑπάρχω: 'to be, exist'; with an adjective — 'being (as they are) Jews'; a participial predication of inherent status.
21

καὶ καταγγέλλουσιν ἔθη ἃ οὐκ ἔξεστιν ἡμῖν παραδέχεσθαι οὐδὲ ποιεῖν Ῥωμαίοις οὖσιν.

and they are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.

Continuation of accusationκαίThe charge continues from v.20 — the customs charged are unspecified but framed as incompatible with Roman law and identity. The participle Ῥωμαίοις οὖσιν ('being Romans') is the pivot: Romanness = civic loyalty = incompatibility with foreign rites. The irony is acute — Paul himself is the Roman (v.37).
καίandcoordinating conjunction (continuing accusation)
καταγγέλλουσινthey are proclaimingPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καταγγέλλωmain verb (second charge)→ progressive present (ongoing proclamation alleged)καταγγέλλω: 'to proclaim, announce'; often used of gospel proclamation in Acts (13:5, 38; 15:36; 17:3, 13), which gives the charge an ironic edge — the same word used for authorized preaching is weaponized as a charge.
ἔθηcustomsAccusativedirect objectἔθος: 'custom, usage'; the accusers use a deliberately vague term — the 'customs' are not defined, maximizing suspicion.
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παραδέχεσθαι / ποιεῖν)
οὐκnotnegation
ἔξεστινit is lawfulPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔξεστιimpersonal main verb (legal judgment)→ gnomic present (standing legal prohibition)ἔξεστι: 'it is permitted/lawful'; an impersonal verb of legal permission — the charge claims a Roman legal prohibition.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedative of reference (us as Romans)
παραδέχεσθαιto acceptPres Mid Infin · παραδέχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἔξεστιν)→ present infinitive (continuous acceptance implied)παραδέχομαι: 'to receive, accept'; to adopt foreign practices — the charge of religious contamination.
οὐδέnornegative coordinating conjunction
ποιεῖνto practicePres Act Infin · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (coordinated with παραδέχεσθαι)→ present infinitiveποιέω: 'to do, practice'; the double infinitive (accept + practice) covers both reception and observance.
ῬωμαίοιςRomansDativedative predicate (in apposition to ἡμῖν)Ῥωμαῖος: 'Roman citizen'; Philippi was a colonia — its citizens held Roman citizenship and were proud of it. The irony of v.37 (Paul is the Roman) is prepared here.
οὖσινbeingPres Act Ptc Dat Pl Masc · εἰμίattributive/causal participle (modifying Ῥωμαίοις — 'us, as Romans')→ descriptive present (inherent status)
22

καὶ συνεπέστη ὁ ὄχλος κατ᾽ αὐτῶν καὶ οἱ στρατηγοὶ περιρήξαντες αὐτῶν τὰ ἱμάτια ἐκέλευον ῥαβδίζειν,

The crowd also joined in attacking them, and the praetors tore their garments off and ordered them to be beaten with rods.

Narrative escalation (mob violence and magisterial sanction)καίThe crowd συνεπέστη ('rose up together against') signals a mob lynching legitimized by official action. The summary beating without trial is precisely what Paul will cite in v.37 as the violation of their Roman rights.
καίandnarrative conjunction
συνεπέστηrose up togetherAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συνεφίστημιmain verb→ constative aorist (mob surge)συνεφίστημι: 'to rise up against together, join in attacking'; a rare compound — the crowd adds mob pressure to the legal charge.
theNominativearticle
ὄχλοςcrowdNominativesubjectὄχλος: 'crowd, multitude'; the uncontrolled mass that amplifies legal proceedings into mob violence.
κατ᾽againstpreposition + genitive (opposition)
αὐτῶνthemGenitiveobject of κατά (target of attack)
καίandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
στρατηγοίpraetorsNominativesubject (second actor)στρατηγός: 'praetor'; the colonial magistrates who sanction mob violence — their act constitutes the illegal beating of Roman citizens without trial.
περιρήξαντεςhaving torn offAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · περιρήγνυμιattendant circumstance participle (with ἐκέλευον)→ constative aorist (violent stripping)περιρήγνυμι: 'to tear off/around'; a NT hapax — the magistrates tear off their outer garments in preparation for flogging.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object (of περιρήξαντες)ἱμάτιον: 'garment, outer cloak'; public stripping is designed as humiliation before punishment.
ἐκέλευονthey were orderingImperf Act Indic 3 Pl · κελεύωmain verb→ inceptive imperfect (began to order)κελεύω: 'to command, order'; the magistrates issue the formal order for beating.
ῥαβδίζεινto beat with rodsPres Act Infin · ῥαβδίζωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐκέλευον)→ present infinitiveῥαβδίζω: 'to beat with a rod (ῥάβδος)'; the punishment of the Roman lictors' fasces — the rods they carried. Paul lists this beating among his sufferings (2 Cor 11:25: 'three times I was beaten with rods').
23

πολλάς τε ἐπιθέντες αὐτοῖς πληγὰς ἔβαλον εἰς φυλακήν, παραγγείλαντες τῷ δεσμοφύλακι ἀσφαλῶς αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν·

and when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them securely.

Narrative continuation (imprisonment after beating)τέThe τε links directly to v.22. The order ἀσφαλῶς τηρεῖν ('keep securely') will be ironized by God's earthquake in v.26.
πολλάςmanyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πληγάς — fronted for emphasis)
τεandconnective particle (τε ... links to preceding)
ἐπιθέντεςhaving laid uponAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιτίθημιattendant circumstance participle (with ἔβαλον)→ constative aorist (the beating)ἐπιτίθημι: 'to place upon, inflict'; here 'to inflict blows upon' — a common idiom for flogging.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative indirect object (recipients of blows)
πληγάςblowsAccusativedirect object (of ἐπιθέντες)πληγή: 'blow, wound, stripe'; from πλήσσω ('to strike'); in v.33 the same root describes the jailer washing their wounds (τὰς πληγάς) — narrative symmetry.
ἔβαλονthey threwAor Act Indic 3 Pl · βάλλωmain verb→ constative aorist (imprisonment)βάλλω: 'to throw, cast'; 'threw into prison' conveys the brutality — not led but cast in.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
φυλακήνprisonAccusativeobject of εἰςφυλακή: 'prison, guard'; the word recurs as the setting for the miracle of vv.26–28.
παραγγείλαντεςhaving chargedAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · παραγγέλλωattendant circumstance participle (with ἔβαλον)→ constative aoristπαραγγέλλω: 'to command, charge'; an authoritative order passed down the chain of command.
τῷtheDativearticle
δεσμοφύλακιjailerDativedative indirect object (recipient of command)δεσμοφύλαξ: 'prison-keeper, jailer'; a compound of δεσμός ('bond, chain') + φύλαξ ('guard') — the one who will become the dramatic convert of vv.29–34.
ἀσφαλῶςsecurelyadverb (manner — modifying τηρεῖν)ἀσφαλῶς: 'safely, securely'; from ἀσφαλής ('firm, sure'); the irony: the more 'secure' the prison the more remarkable God's opening of it.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative direct object (of τηρεῖν)
τηρεῖνto keepPres Act Infin · τηρέωcomplementary infinitive (object of παραγγείλαντες)→ present infinitive (ongoing custody)τηρέω: 'to keep, guard, watch'; the same verb used of keeping the decrees (v.4) — here twisted into imprisonment.
24

ὃς παραγγελίαν τοιαύτην λαβὼν ἔβαλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν ἐσωτέραν φυλακὴν καὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτῶν ἠσφαλίσατο εἰς τὸ ξύλον.

Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Relative clause (jailer's response to command)ὅςThe jailer's over-compliance — inner cell plus stocks — sets the stage for the earthquake miracle. The ἐσωτέρα φυλακή ('inner prison') is the most secure location.
ὅςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject, referring to δεσμοφύλαξ)
παραγγελίανchargeAccusativedirect object (of λαβών — fronted)παραγγελία: 'command, charge'; cognate with παραγγέλλω (v.23); the formal order received from above.
τοιαύτηνsuchAccusativedemonstrative adjective (attributive, summarizing the preceding order)
λαβώνhaving receivedAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λαμβάνωattendant circumstance/temporal participle→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'to receive, take'; the jailer receives the command and immediately acts.
ἔβαλενhe threwAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb→ constative aoristβάλλω: 'to throw'; again the violent verb of v.23 — the jailer mirrors the magistrates' brutality.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τήνtheAccusativearticle
ἐσωτέρανinnerAccusativeattributive adjective (comparative of ἔσω — 'more inner')ἐσώτερος: 'inner, further in'; comparative of ἔσω — the innermost cell, maximally secure.
φυλακήνprisonAccusativeobject of εἰς
καίandcoordinating conjunction
τούςtheAccusativearticle
πόδαςfeetAccusativedirect object (of ἠσφαλίσατο)πούς: 'foot'; the stocks immobilize the feet — a specific form of ancient incarceration.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
ἠσφαλίσατοhe fastenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀσφαλίζωmain verb (second action)→ constative aoristἀσφαλίζω: 'to make secure, fasten'; cognate with ἀσφαλῶς (v.23) — the jailer implements 'secure custody' to the maximum degree.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (place into which)
τόtheAccusativearticle
ξύλονstocksAccusativeobject of εἰς (the stocks)ξύλον: 'wood, tree, stocks'; here the wooden stocks used to immobilize prisoners' feet. The word also means 'cross' (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Gal 3:13) — a subtle resonance with Christ's passion in Paul and Silas's suffering.
25

Κατὰ δὲ τὸ μεσονύκτιον Παῦλος καὶ Σιλᾶς προσευχόμενοι ὕμνουν τὸν θεόν, ἐπηκροῶντο δὲ αὐτῶν οἱ δέσμιοι.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Narrative turning-point (the vigil before the miracle)δέThe temporal setting (μεσονύκτιον — midnight) is darkly theatrical; the two activities (prayer + hymnody) are both present-tense participles — continuous, simultaneous. The prisoners' attentive listening (ἐπηκροῶντο) sets a silent witness-audience for the miracle.
Κατάaboutpreposition + accusative (approximate time)
δέandcontinuative particle
τόtheAccusativearticle
μεσονύκτιονmidnightAccusativeobject of κατά (time reference)μεσονύκτιον: 'midnight'; a NT hapax in Acts. Midnight recalls Exod 12:29 (the Passover plague) and Paul's escape resonates with the Exodus motif.
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ΣιλᾶςSilasNominativesubject (coordinated with Παῦλος)Σιλᾶς: Silas/Silvanus; Paul's companion chosen after the split with Barnabas (15:40), a prophet and Roman citizen (v.37).
προσευχόμενοιprayingPres Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · προσεύχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant to ὕμνουν)→ progressive present (continuous prayer)προσεύχομαι: 'to pray'; the simultaneous prayer-and-song vigil is the spiritual action that precedes divine intervention.
ὕμνουνwere singing hymnsImperf Act Indic 3 Pl · ὑμνέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing hymnody)ὑμνέω: 'to sing hymns, praise'; the praise of Psalms or early Christian hymns. The imperfect suggests sustained, not momentary, singing.
τόνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativedirect object (of ὕμνουν)θεός: 'God'; the object of worship — the hymns are directed Godward in the midst of chains.
ἐπηκροῶντοwere listeningImperf Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐπακροάομαιmain verb (second clause)→ progressive imperfect (sustained listening)ἐπακροάομαι: 'to listen attentively to'; a NT hapax — the compound suggests focused, intent listening. The prisoners are an unintended congregation.
δέandcontinuative particle
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object (of ἐπηκροῶντο — person listened to)
οἱtheNominativearticle
δέσμιοιprisonersNominativesubject (of ἐπηκροῶντο)δέσμιος: 'prisoner, bound one'; from δεσμός ('bond, chain') — the irony is potent: the chained ones praise freely while the free world sleeps.
26

ἄφνω δὲ σεισμὸς ἐγένετο μέγας, ὥστε σαλευθῆναι τὰ θεμέλια τοῦ δεσμωτηρίου· ἠνεῴχθησαν δὲ παραχρῆμα αἱ θύραι πᾶσαι, καὶ πάντων τὰ δεσμὰ ἀνέθη.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.

Divine intervention (theophanic earthquake)δέThe ἄφνω ('suddenly') marks divine action — the earthquake is a sign-act from God. The three-part consequence (foundations shaken, doors opened, chains loosed) progressively dismantles every human restraint. Παραχρῆμα ('immediately') is Luke's word of instantaneous divine response.
ἄφνωsuddenlyadverb of time (divine surprise)ἄφνω: 'suddenly, unexpectedly'; Lukan hapax cluster (Acts 2:2; 28:6); marks the in-breaking of divine action.
δέandcontinuative particle
σεισμόςearthquakeNominativesubjectσεισμός: 'earthquake, shaking'; from σείω — in the OT and Acts, earthquakes accompany divine presence (Matt 27:51; 28:2; Acts 4:31).
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential)→ constative aorist (the event)γίνομαι: 'to become, happen, occur'; ἐγένετο + noun is a Lukan idiom for 'there was.'
μέγαςgreatNominativepredicate adjective (modifying σεισμός)μέγας: 'great, large'; the magnitude — a great earthquake, not a tremor.
ὥστεso thatresult conjunction
σαλευθῆναιto be shakenAor Pass Infin · σαλεύωinfinitive of result (with ὥστε)→ constative aorist infinitiveσαλεύω: 'to shake, disturb'; of the shaking of foundations — in LXX associated with theophanic events (Ps 18:7; Isa 6:4).
τάtheAccusativearticle
θεμέλιαfoundationsAccusativesubject of infinitive (accusative with infin.)θεμέλιον: 'foundation'; the deepest structure of the prison — shaken to its base.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
δεσμωτηρίουprisonGenitivegenitive of possession (whose foundations)δεσμωτήριον: 'prison'; from δεσμός ('bond') — the 'place of bonds.' Every bondage is about to be undone.
ἠνεῴχθησανwere openedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀνοίγωmain verb (second result)→ constative aorist (instantaneous opening)ἀνοίγω: 'to open'; a divine passive — God opens the doors as he opened Lydia's heart (v.14).
δέandcontinuative particle
παραχρῆμαimmediatelyadverb (instantaneous divine action)παραχρῆμα: 'at once, immediately'; Luke's characteristic word of divine immediacy (Luke 1:64; Acts 3:7; 5:10; 12:23; 13:11).
αἱtheNominativearticle
θύραιdoorsNominativesubject (of ἠνεῴχθησαν)θύρα: 'door'; all doors (πᾶσαι) — a totality that underscores the completeness of God's liberation.
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (attributive — modifying θύραι)
καίandcoordinating conjunction
πάντωνeveryone'sGenitivegenitive of possession (fronted for emphasis)
τάtheNominativearticle
δεσμάchainsNominativesubject (of ἀνέθη)δεσμός: 'bond, chain'; the stocks and fetters — every prisoner's bonds, not just Paul's.
ἀνέθηwere loosedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίημιmain verb (third result)→ constative aorist (complete release)ἀνίημι: 'to loosen, release, let go'; a rare verb — 'all chains came undone.' The singular verb with plural neuter subject is regular Greek grammar.
27

ἔξυπνος δὲ γενόμενος ὁ δεσμοφύλαξ καὶ ἰδὼν ἀνεῳγμένας τὰς θύρας τῆς φυλακῆς, σπασάμενος τὴν μάχαιραν ἤμελλεν ἑαυτὸν ἀναιρεῖν, νομίζων ἐκπεφευγέναι τοὺς δεσμίους.

The jailer, waking from sleep and seeing the prison doors opened, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

Narrative pivot (the jailer's crisis)δέThe sequence of participles (waking, seeing, drawing) builds tension. Under Roman law a guard who lost prisoners was liable to death; the jailer preempts that by suicide — a decision Paul will immediately reverse.
ἔξυπνοςawakenedNominativepredicate adjective (with γενόμενος)ἔξυπνος: 'roused from sleep, awakened'; a NT hapax — 'waking up' before the crisis.
δέandcontinuative particle
γενόμενοςbecomingAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · γίνομαιattendant circumstance participle (with ἤμελλεν)→ constative aorist (the waking)γίνομαι: 'to become'; γενόμενος ἔξυπνος = 'having come wide awake.'
theNominativearticle
δεσμοφύλαξjailerNominativesubjectδεσμοφύλαξ: 'jailer'; the one whose duty (and life) depended on keeping the prisoners secure.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδώνseeingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ὁράωattendant circumstance participle→ constative aoristὁράω: 'to see'; the jailer sees — a visual datum that drives his mistaken inference.
ἀνεῳγμέναςopenPerf Pass Ptc Acc Pl Fem · ἀνοίγωpredicate participle in indirect perception (with ἰδών)→ intensive perfect (standing open)ἀνοίγω: 'to open'; the perfect participle stresses the resultant state — the doors are (and remain) open.
τάςtheAccusativearticle
θύραςdoorsAccusativeobject of ἰδών (the seen thing)
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
φυλακῆςprisonGenitivegenitive of possession
σπασάμενοςdrawingAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · σπάωattendant circumstance participle (with ἤμελλεν)→ constative aorist (sword drawn)σπάω: 'to draw (a sword)'; the middle voice — he draws his own sword for his own use.
τήνtheAccusativearticle
μάχαιρανswordAccusativedirect object (of σπασάμενος)μάχαιρα: 'short sword, dagger'; the military sidearm of a Roman guard.
ἤμελλενwas about toImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · μέλλωmain verb (with infinitive)→ conative imperfect (imminent but interrupted action)μέλλω: 'to be about to'; the imperfect with infinitive denotes an action about to be done — Paul's shout stops it.
ἑαυτόνhimselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (direct object of ἀναιρεῖν)
ἀναιρεῖνto killPres Act Infin · ἀναιρέωcomplementary infinitive (with ἤμελλεν)→ present infinitiveἀναιρέω: 'to take away, destroy, kill'; in Acts often of execution or killing (2:23; 5:33; 7:28; 9:23, 29); here suicide.
νομίζωνsupposingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · νομίζωcausal participle (giving his reason)→ progressive present (his ongoing assumption)νομίζω: 'to consider, suppose, assume'; he assumes the worst — his assumption is false.
ἐκπεφευγέναιto have escapedPerf Act Infin · ἐκφεύγωindirect statement infinitive (object of νομίζων)→ intensive perfect infinitive (completed flight assumed)ἐκφεύγω: 'to flee, escape'; the perfect infinitive indicates the assumed completed escape — all prisoners gone.
τούςtheAccusativearticle
δεσμίουςprisonersAccusativesubject of infinitive (accusative with indirect speech)δέσμιος: 'prisoner'; the ones whose chains were loosed by God are presumed by the jailer to have fled — irony of perception.
28

ἐφώνησεν δὲ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ὁ Παῦλος λέγων· Μηδὲν πράξῃς σεαυτῷ κακόν, ἅπαντες γάρ ἐσμεν ἐνθάδε.

But Paul cried out with a loud voice, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!'

Intervention (Paul's shout saves the jailer)δέPaul's cry is the pivot of the narrative — he saves the life of the man who imprisoned him, a dramatic enactment of the gospel he will preach. The γάρ-clause ('for we are all here') is the unexpected ground: none have fled.
ἐφώνησενcalled outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φωνέωmain verb→ constative aorist (single shout)φωνέω: 'to call, cry out'; here of a loud shout in the dark.
δέbutadversative particle
φωνῇvoiceDativedative of manner (instrumental — with a loud voice)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; 'with a great voice' — the urgency of the call.
μεγάλῃloudDativeattributive adjective (modifying φωνῇ)
theNominativearticle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing direct speech)→ progressive present
ΜηδένnothingAccusativedirect object (of πράξῃς — fronted for urgency)
πράξῃςdoAor Act Subj 2 Sg · πράσσωmain verb of prohibition (μηδέν + aorist subjunctive)→ constative aorist subjunctive (prohibit a single act)πράσσω: 'to do, practice'; with μηδέν κακόν = 'do not harm yourself' — the standard prohibition form (μή + aorist subj.).
σεαυτῷto yourselfDativedative of disadvantage (reflexive harm)
κακόνevil/harmAccusativedirect object (with Μηδέν)κακός: 'bad, evil, harm'; μηδὲν κακόν = 'no harm' — the double negative and neuter accusative constitute a standard prohibition phrase.
ἅπαντεςallNominativepredicate nominative (subject of ἐσμεν)ἅπαντες: emphatic form of πάντες — 'every single one of us is here.'
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίequative/existential verb→ gnomic present (present fact)
ἐνθάδεhereadverb of placeἐνθάδε: 'here, in this place'; the surprising 'here' is the ground for Paul's prohibition — no escape has occurred.
29

αἰτήσας δὲ φῶτα εἰσεπήδησεν, καὶ ἔντρομος γενόμενος προσέπεσεν τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ τῷ Σιλᾷ,

And calling for lights he rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.

Narrative response (the jailer's transformation begins)δέThe sequence of participles and verbs (requested lights, rushed in, trembling, fell) traces a rapid conversion of posture — from captor to suppliant. The trembling (ἔντρομος) before Paul recalls the fear-of-God theme throughout Luke-Acts.
αἰτήσαςcalling forAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · αἰτέωattendant circumstance participle (with εἰσεπήδησεν)→ constative aoristαἰτέω: 'to ask, request'; here 'to call for (lights)' — his first action is to illuminate the scene.
δέandcontinuative particle
φῶταlightsAccusativedirect object (of αἰτήσας)φῶς: 'light'; he needs light to see in the dark inner cell — practical urgency.
εἰσεπήδησενrushed inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσπηδάωmain verb→ constative aorist (sudden entry)εἰσπηδάω: 'to leap/rush into'; a vivid verb — the jailer does not walk in, he leaps in with urgency and fear.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἔντρομοςtremblingNominativepredicate adjective (with γενόμενος)ἔντρομος: 'trembling, terrified'; from ἐν + τρέμω — used of holy fear (Heb 12:21; Acts 7:32).
γενόμενοςbecomingAor Mid Ptc Nom Sg Masc · γίνομαιattendant circumstance participle (with προσέπεσεν)→ constative aorist (the onset of trembling)γίνομαι: 'to become'; with ἔντρομος = 'having become trembling.'
προσέπεσενfell beforeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσπίπτωmain verb→ constative aorist (prostration)προσπίπτω: 'to fall before, prostrate oneself'; the gesture of submission and entreaty — here to Paul and Silas, as though to divine messengers.
τῷtoDativearticle
ΠαύλῳPaulDativedative of direction (fell before)
καίandcoordinating conjunction
τῷtoDativearticle
ΣιλᾷSilasDativedative of direction (coordinated with Παύλῳ)
30

καὶ προαγαγὼν αὐτοὺς ἔξω ἔφη· Κύριοι, τί με δεῖ ποιεῖν ἵνα σωθῶ;

and led them outside and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'

The climactic question (request for salvation)καίThe jailer leads his former prisoners outside — a reversal of roles. His question τί με δεῖ ποιεῖν ἵνα σωθῶ; is the chapter's theological climax. The δεῖ ('it is necessary') echoes the divine necessity throughout Luke-Acts; σωθῶ ('be saved') is the central soteriological verb of the book.
καίandnarrative conjunction
προαγαγώνhaving led outAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · προάγωattendant circumstance participle (with ἔφη)→ constative aorist (the leading out)προάγω: 'to lead forward, bring out'; the jailer leads Paul and Silas out — he who locked them in now leads them out.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place
ἔφηsaidImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · φημίmain verb (introducing question)→ historical present/aorist-equivalent (φημί imperfect used as aorist)φημί: 'to say, affirm'; φημί often introduces important speech in Acts (7:2; 10:30; 17:22; 22:27).
ΚύριοιSirsVocativevocative (address)κύριος: 'lord, sir'; in the vocative plural — respectful address, but note the irony: the word chosen to address his former prisoners is the same word used of Jesus as Lord (κύριον Ἰησοῦν) in v.31.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (direct object of ποιεῖν — fronted)
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (with δεῖ)
δεῖis it necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal main verb (divine necessity)→ gnomic present (necessary by divine order)δεῖ: 'it is necessary'; the Lukan δεῖ of divine necessity pervades Luke-Acts — here applied to the jailer's personal soteriological question.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Infin · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (with δεῖ)→ present infinitive (action sought)ποιέω: 'to do, make'; what must I do? — the jailer's question parallels the crowd's at Pentecost (2:37).
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (introducing content of salvation)
σωθῶI may be savedAor Pass Subj 1 Sg · σῴζωpurpose/content clause verb (ἵνα + subjunctive)→ constative aorist subjunctive (the act of being saved)σῴζω: 'to save, rescue, deliver'; the key soteriological verb of Luke-Acts — σωτηρία ('salvation') is the goal of the mission. The passive emphasizes that saving is something done to him, not by him.
31

οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· Πίστευσον ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν καὶ σωθήσῃ σύ καὶ ὁ οἶκός σου.

And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'

Gospel answer (the crux of Acts soteriology)δέThe most compressed gospel formula in Acts: a single aorist imperative (πίστευσον) + object (ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν) + future passive promise (σωθήσῃ) + explicit scope (σύ καὶ ὁ οἶκός σου). The household extension is immediate and will be enacted in v.33.
οἱand theyNominativearticle (used pronominally as subject)
δέandcontinuative particle
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introducing gospel answer)→ constative aorist
ΠίστευσονbelieveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb (imperative — command/invitation)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive act of faith called for)πιστεύω: 'to believe, trust, have faith'; the aorist imperative calls for a decisive act of entrusting — not merely intellectual assent but volitional commitment. Cf. Acts 10:43; 13:39; 19:4.
ἐπίon/inpreposition + accusative (object of faith — πιστεύειν ἐπί)ἐπί: 'upon, on'; with πιστεύω + accusative = 'to put faith upon, trust in' — stressing the object of faith as the foundation.
τόνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the one to be trusted)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX name of God (Yhwh), here applied to Jesus — a high christological claim. 'Believe on the Lord Jesus' asserts Jesus' divine lordship as the ground of salvation.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeapposition to κύριον (the personal name)Ἰησοῦς: the personal name; combined with κύριον — 'the Lord (who is) Jesus.' Some witnesses add Χριστόν ('Christ') but the shorter text (κύριον Ἰησοῦν) is better attested and more striking.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
σωθήσῃyou will be savedFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (promise — future passive)→ futuristic (certain future promise)σῴζω: 'to save'; the divine passive: God saves — faith in Jesus is the condition, not the cause. The future indicative is a promise, not a condition.
σύyouNominativeemphatic pronoun (subject — singular 'you')σύ: emphatic nominative singular — 'you yourself.' Begins with the individual jailer, then extends to the household.
καίandcoordinating conjunction (extending promise)
theNominativearticle
οἶκόςhouseholdNominativesubject (coordinated with σύ)οἶκος: 'house, household'; the NT pattern of household conversion (Lydia, v.15; Cornelius, Acts 10:2; Crispus, 18:8) reflects the ancient household as the basic social unit of the church.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your household)
32

καὶ ἐλάλησαν αὐτῷ τὸν λόγον τοῦ κυρίου σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ αὐτοῦ.

And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

Exposition (word-ministry to the household)καίThe word (λόγον τοῦ κυρίου) is spoken to all in the house — the entire household will believe. The missionary method: proclamation precedes baptism.
καίandnarrative conjunction
ἐλάλησανthey spokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb→ constative aorist (the proclamation event)λαλέω: 'to speak'; in Acts regularly of Spirit-inspired or apostolic proclamation — different from λέγω (which introduces content); λαλέω emphasizes the act of speaking.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (the jailer)
τόνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativedirect objectλόγος: 'word, message'; 'the word of the Lord' is Luke's standard expression for the gospel proclamation (Acts 8:25; 13:44; 15:35–36; 19:10, 20).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of source/content (the Lord's word)κύριος: 'Lord'; the same word used in v.31 — 'believe on the Lord Jesus' leads to receiving 'the word of the Lord.'
σύνwithpreposition + dative (inclusion)
πᾶσινallDativeobject of σύν (all in the house)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
οἰκίᾳhouseDativeobject of ἐν (the household setting)οἰκία: 'house, household'; a synonym of οἶκος — the family plus dependents who form the basic community.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
33

καὶ παραλαβὼν αὐτοὺς ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ τῆς νυκτὸς ἔλουσεν ἀπὸ τῶν πληγῶν, καὶ ἐβαπτίσθη αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ αὐτοῦ πάντες παραχρῆμα.

And he took them that same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his household.

Narrative resolution (washing and baptism — double cleansing)καίA beautiful narrative symmetry: the jailer washes Paul's wounds (ἔλουσεν) and is himself washed in baptism (ἐβαπτίσθη). The ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ τῆς νυκτός ('in that hour of the night') emphasizes the immediacy — no delay.
καίandnarrative conjunction
παραλαβώνhaving takenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · παραλαμβάνωattendant circumstance participle (with ἔλουσεν)→ constative aoristπαραλαμβάνω: 'to take along, receive'; the jailer takes the missionaries under his care — a reversal of his role.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (that same)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὥρᾳhourDativedative of time (object of ἐν)ὥρα: 'hour'; 'that hour of the night' — emphasizing immediacy, the night still ongoing.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
νυκτόςnightGenitivegenitive of time (partitive — that hour within the night)νύξ: 'night'; all this happens in one extraordinary night.
ἔλουσενhe washedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λούωmain verb→ constative aorist (the washing)λούω: 'to wash, bathe'; he washes their wounds — an act of care and hospitality toward those he had beaten. The narrative symmetry with baptism (ἐβαπτίσθη) in the same verse is deliberate.
ἀπόfrompreposition + genitive (the source/object washed away)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πληγῶνwoundsGenitiveobject of ἀπό (washing from the wounds)πληγή: 'blow, wound'; the same word as v.23 (πληγάς) — the wounds inflicted by the magistrates are now washed by the jailer.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἐβαπτίσθηwas baptizedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · βαπτίζωmain verb (divine passive — baptism administered by Paul/Silas)→ constative aoristβαπτίζω: 'to baptize, immerse'; the divine passive — done to him, completing his conversion. The singular verb picks up αὐτός first, then extends to πάντες.
αὐτόςhe himselfNominativeemphatic subject pronounαὐτός: emphatic 'he himself' — the jailer personally, not just his household.
καίandcoordinating conjunction (extending subject)
οἱtheNominativearticle (used pronominally — 'his people')
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his household members)
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (predicate — all his household)πάντες: 'all'; the household salvation of v.31 is fully enacted here.
παραχρῆμαimmediatelyadverb of time (no delay in baptism)παραχρῆμα: 'immediately, at once'; repeated from v.26 — God's immediacy in opening the prison matches the immediacy of the jailer's response.
34

ἀναγαγών τε αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν οἶκον παρέθηκεν τράπεζαν καὶ ἠγαλλιάσατο πανοικεί πεπιστευκὼς τῷ θεῷ.

And he brought them up into his house and set food before them, and he rejoiced greatly with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Narrative conclusion (hospitality and joy — the household church established)τέThe meal (τράπεζαν) echoes Lydia's hospitality (v.15) and anticipates the Lord's Supper fellowship of the Philippian church. The perfect participle πεπιστευκώς ('having believed') grounds the joy — faith is the reason for the celebration.
ἀναγαγώνhaving brought upAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀνάγωattendant circumstance participle (with παρέθηκεν)→ constative aoristἀνάγω: 'to lead up, bring up'; he brings them up from the prison to the house above — a movement from dungeon to table.
τέandconnective particle
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
τόνtheAccusativearticle
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of εἰςοἶκος: 'house'; the same word as v.31 (ὁ οἶκός σου) — the household promised salvation now hosts the missionaries.
παρέθηκενset beforeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρατίθημιmain verb→ constative aorist (the meal set)παρατίθημι: 'to place beside, set before'; often of setting food before someone — the gesture of host-hospitality.
τράπεζανa table/mealAccusativedirect object (metonymy: table = meal)τράπεζα: 'table'; by metonymy, 'a meal' — the setting of the table is the setting of the meal.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἠγαλλιάσατοhe rejoiced greatlyAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαλλιάωmain verb→ constative aorist (the joy-event)ἀγαλλιάω: 'to exult, rejoice greatly'; a strong word for jubilation — the verb of messianic joy (Luke 1:47; 10:21; Acts 2:26; 2 Sam 6:14 LXX).
πανοικείwith his whole householdadverb (manner — with the entire household)πανοικεί: 'with the whole household'; a NT hapax — a compound adverb emphasizing the totality of the household's participation in joy.
πεπιστευκώςhaving believedPerf Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · πιστεύωcausal participle (grounds for joy)→ intensive perfect (the standing state of faith)πιστεύω: 'to believe, trust'; the perfect participle stresses the completed and enduring act of faith — he now stands as a believer, and this is the ground of his joy.
τῷinDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedative object of πεπιστευκώς (faith directed toward God)θεός: 'God'; πιστεύω + dative = 'to believe in/to'; the jailer's faith is in the God proclaimed — the gospel has been received.
35

Ἡμέρας δὲ γενομένης ἀπέστειλαν οἱ στρατηγοὶ τοὺς ῥαβδούχους λέγοντες· Ἀπόλυσον τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἐκείνους.

But when day came, the praetors sent the lictors, saying, 'Release those men.'

Narrative transition (daybreak — the magistrates' order)δέThe temporal shift to daybreak (ἡμέρας γενομένης) resumes the civic plotline. The praetors send the lictors (ῥαβδοῦχοι — literally 'rod-holders,' the fasces-bearing officers). Their order is brief and assumes quiet compliance — which Paul refuses.
ἩμέραςdayGenitivegenitive absolute subject (with γενομένης — temporal)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the genitive absolute ἡμέρας γενομένης = 'day having come' — standard temporal formula.
δέandcontinuative particle
γενομένηςhaving comeAor Mid Ptc Gen Sg Fem · γίνομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aorist (daybreak)γίνομαι: 'to become, happen'; genitive absolute = 'when day came.'
ἀπέστειλανsentAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'to send (with authority/mission)'; the magistrates dispatch their officers — the same verb used of the apostles' mission.
οἱtheNominativearticle
στρατηγοίpraetorsNominativesubjectστρατηγός: 'praetor'; the colonial magistrates who now want the matter quietly resolved.
τούςtheAccusativearticle
ῥαβδούχουςlictorsAccusativedirect object (of ἀπέστειλαν)ῥαβδοῦχος: 'lictor, rod-bearer'; from ῥάβδος ('rod') + ἔχω ('hold') — the official attendants of Roman magistrates who carried the fasces (bundle of rods). These are the same men who beat Paul and Silas (v.22).
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the message)→ progressive present
ἈπόλυσονreleaseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀπολύωmain verb (imperative — command to jailer)→ constative aorist imperativeἀπολύω: 'to release, let go, set free'; the magistrates' command uses the same verb as pardon/release — what they intend as a quiet dismissal Paul will transform into a public vindication.
τούςtheAccusativearticle
ἀνθρώπουςmenAccusativedirect objectἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the dismissive designation — contrast 'servants of the Most High God' (v.17).
ἐκείνουςthoseAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (distancing — 'those men')
36

ἀπήγγειλεν δὲ ὁ δεσμοφύλαξ τοὺς λόγους πρὸς τὸν Παῦλον, ὅτι Ἀπέσταλκαν οἱ στρατηγοὶ ἵνα ἀπολυθῆτε· νῦν οὖν ἐξελθόντες πορεύεσθε ἐν εἰρήνῃ.

And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, 'The praetors have sent orders for you to be released; now therefore go out and go in peace.'

Report (jailer relays the order to Paul)δέThe jailer faithfully relays the magistrates' order and adds his own benediction 'in peace' (ἐν εἰρήνῃ). Paul's refusal in v.37 is not ingratitude but an assertion of legal rights on behalf of the church.
ἀπήγγειλενreportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'to report, announce'; the jailer serves as messenger between magistrates and prisoners — his role transformed.
δέandcontinuative particle
theNominativearticle
δεσμοφύλαξjailerNominativesubject
τούςtheAccusativearticle
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object (the message conveyed)λόγος: 'word, message'; τοὺς λόγους = 'these words' (the praetors' order).
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of report)
τόνtheAccusativearticle
ΠαῦλονPaulAccusativeobject of πρός (the addressee)
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces content of report — recitative ὅτι)
Ἀπέσταλκανhave sentPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of reported speech→ intensive perfect (the standing order)ἀποστέλλω: 'to send'; the perfect tense stresses the authoritative, standing order — it has been issued and stands.
οἱtheNominativearticle
στρατηγοίpraetorsNominativesubject
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose/content of the sending)
ἀπολυθῆτεyou be releasedAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · ἀπολύωverb of purpose clause→ constative aorist subjunctiveἀπολύω: 'to release, set free'; the passive — the releasing is done to them by the authorities.
νῦνnowadverb of time
οὖνthereforeinferential particle
ἐξελθόντεςhaving gone outAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιattendant circumstance participle (with πορεύεσθε)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'to go out'; the jailer invites them to exit peacefully.
πορεύεσθεgoPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (imperative — the jailer's invitation)→ progressive present imperative (ongoing departure)πορεύομαι: 'to go, travel, proceed'; the jailer's gentle dismissal.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
εἰρήνῃpeaceDativedative of manner (go in peace)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the jailer's parting word is the Hebrew shalom-blessing — a touching irony from one who had bound them in stocks.
37

ὁ δὲ Παῦλος ἔφη πρὸς αὐτούς· Δείραντες ἡμᾶς δημοσίᾳ ἀκατακρίτους, ἀνθρώπους Ῥωμαίους ὑπάρχοντας, ἔβαλον εἰς φυλακήν· καὶ νῦν λάθρᾳ ἡμᾶς ἐκβάλλουσιν; οὐ γάρ, ἀλλὰ ἐλθόντες αὐτοὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξαγαγέτωσαν.

But Paul said to them, 'They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now they are releasing us secretly? No! Let them come themselves and lead us out.'

Refusal and demand (Paul asserts Roman rights)δέPaul's speech is a rhetorical tour de force: three accusative participles build the legal case (beaten / uncondemned / Romans), then the contrast of public beating vs. secret release (λάθρᾳ). The demand protects the Philippian church by establishing legal standing.
theNominativearticle
δέbutadversative particle
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject
ἔφηsaidImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · φημίmain verb (introducing speech)→ historical imperfect (aorist-equivalent of φημί)φημί: 'to say, affirm'; introduces the decisive response.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)
αὐτούςthemAccusativeobject of πρός (the lictors)
Δείραντεςhaving beatenAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · δέρωcircumstantial participle (accusatory — describing the magistrates' action)→ constative aorist (the fact of beating)δέρω: 'to flay, beat, strike'; a vivid, strong word for beating — literally 'to skin.' The subjects of the participle are the magistrates (implied), not the lictors being addressed.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object (of Δείραντες)
δημοσίᾳpubliclyDativedative of manner (publicly — before all)δημόσιος: 'public'; the public nature of the beating is central to Paul's argument — it cannot be undone privately.
ἀκατακρίτουςuncondemnedAccusativepredicate accusative (modifying ἡμᾶς — state when beaten)ἀκατάκριτος: 'uncondemned, without trial'; a NT hapax (also v.38 variant); the legal term for punishment without due process — precisely the violation of Roman citizenship rights.
ἀνθρώπουςmenAccusativeaccusative in apposition (to ἡμᾶς, re-identifying the violated parties)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; note the irony — the magistrates called them 'these men' (v.20) dismissively; Paul now owns the term as a legal designation.
ῬωμαίουςRomansAccusativepredicate accusative (the key legal identity — apposition to ἀνθρώπους)Ῥωμαῖος: 'Roman citizen'; the legal status that made their punishment without trial an illegal act — punishable under the leges Iuliae.
ὑπάρχονταςbeingPres Act Ptc Acc Pl Masc · ὑπάρχωattributive/causal participle (modifying Ῥωμαίους — 'as being Romans')→ progressive present (inherent status)ὑπάρχω: 'to be, exist'; with a predicate = 'being by nature Romans' — the status is inherent, not claimed temporarily.
ἔβαλονthey threwAor Act Indic 3 Pl · βάλλωmain verb (the illegal act stated)→ constative aoristβάλλω: 'to throw'; the third violent use of this verb in the chapter (vv.23, 24, 37) — each describing the imprisonment.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)
φυλακήνprisonAccusativeobject of εἰς
καίandcoordinating conjunction
νῦνnowadverb of time (temporal contrast)
λάθρᾳsecretlyDativedative of manner (in secret — contrasting δημοσίᾳ)λάθρᾳ: 'secretly, stealthily'; contrasted with δημοσίᾳ — the magistrates want private resolution of what they did publicly.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
ἐκβάλλουσινthey are throwing outPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκβάλλωmain verb (rhetorical present — indignant question)→ conative present (attempted action Paul refuses)ἐκβάλλω: 'to throw out, expel'; the same root as βάλλω — thrown in (v.23), now being thrown out. The present tense dramatizes the outrage.
οὐnonegative particle (emphatic refusal)
γάρindeedemphatic particle (with negation — 'certainly not!')
ἀλλάbut ratherstrong adversative conjunction
ἐλθόντεςcomingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιattendant circumstance participle (with ἐξαγαγέτωσαν)→ constative aorist (the required coming)ἔρχομαι: 'to come, go'; they must come in person — public acknowledgment of their error.
αὐτοίthemselvesNominativeemphatic pronoun (the magistrates in person)αὐτοί: emphatic 'they themselves' — not by proxy, but personally.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
ἐξαγαγέτωσανlet them lead outAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ἐξάγωmain verb (third person imperative — demand)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive act demanded)ἐξάγω: 'to lead out, bring out'; Paul demands that the praetors personally escort them out — a public act of exoneration. The same verb used of the Exodus (Acts 7:36, 40).
38

ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ τοῖς στρατηγοῖς οἱ ῥαβδοῦχοι τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα. ἐφοβήθησαν δὲ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Ῥωμαῖοί εἰσιν,

The lictors reported these words to the praetors, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,

Narrative reaction (the magistrates' fear)δέThe fear (ἐφοβήθησαν) is the key response — Roman law was severe regarding the punishment of citizens without trial. Their fear exposes the illegality of their action.
ἀπήγγειλανreportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'to report'; the lictors carry Paul's words back to the magistrates — the same verb used of the jailer's report (v.36).
δέandcontinuative particle
τοῖςtheDativearticle
στρατηγοῖςpraetorsDativedative indirect object
οἱtheNominativearticle
ῥαβδοῦχοιlictorsNominativesubject
τάtheAccusativearticle
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect objectῥῆμα: 'word, saying'; specific words spoken — here Paul's legal declaration.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (attributive)
ἐφοβήθησανthey were afraidAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · φοβέωmain verb→ constative aorist (the onset of fear)φοβέω: 'to fear, be afraid'; the passive — they were caused to fear. The fear of legal consequences from Rome.
δέandcontinuative particle
ἀκούσαντεςhearingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωtemporal/causal participle (when they heard)→ constative aorist (the moment of hearing)ἀκούω: 'to hear'; hearing triggers fear — the information changes everything.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of what is heard)
ῬωμαῖοίRomansNominativepredicate nominativeῬωμαῖος: 'Roman citizen'; the claim that triggered the fear — beating Roman citizens without trial violated Roman law (Lex Valeria, Lex Porcia, Lex Iulia).
εἰσινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίequative verb (content clause)→ gnomic present (statement of fact)
39

καὶ ἐλθόντες παρεκάλεσαν αὐτούς, καὶ ἐξαγαγόντες ἠρώτων ἀπελθεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς πόλεως.

and they came and apologized to them, and when they had led them out they kept asking them to leave the city.

Resolution (the magistrates comply and plead for departure)καίThe magistrates personally come (ἐλθόντες — fulfilling Paul's demand of v.37) and παρεκάλεσαν (they appealed/apologized — an act of conciliation). The imperfect ἠρώτων suggests repeated, nervous requesting.
καίandnarrative conjunction
ἐλθόντεςhaving comeAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιattendant circumstance participle (with παρεκάλεσαν)→ constative aorist (they came in person — fulfilling v.37 demand)ἔρχομαι: 'to come'; they came — exactly as Paul demanded (ἐλθόντες αὐτοί, v.37).
παρεκάλεσανappealed to/apologizedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρακαλέωmain verb→ constative aorist (the conciliatory act)παρακαλέω: 'to exhort, comfort, appeal to, implore'; here of conciliation — the same word used of Paul and Silas encouraging the brothers (v.40). The magistrates now appeal to those they previously condemned.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξαγαγόντεςhaving led outAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐξάγωattendant circumstance participle (with ἠρώτων)→ constative aorist (the personal escort out)ἐξάγω: 'to lead out'; the same verb Paul demanded (ἐξαγαγέτωσαν, v.37) — the magistrates do exactly what was demanded.
ἠρώτωνthey kept askingImperf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐρωτάωmain verb→ iterative imperfect (repeated, nervous requesting)ἐρωτάω: 'to ask, request'; the imperfect suggests ongoing, repeated requests — anxious insistence.
ἀπελθεῖνto departAor Act Infin · ἀπέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (content of request)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀπέρχομαι: 'to go away, depart'; the magistrates want Paul and Silas gone from Philippi — not imprisoned, but absent.
ἀπόfrompreposition + genitive (separation — departure from)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πόλεωςcityGenitiveobject of ἀπό (the city left behind)πόλις: 'city'; Philippi — the city that beat and imprisoned them, now asking them politely to go.
40

ἐξελθόντες δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς φυλακῆς εἰσῆλθον πρὸς τὴν Λυδίαν, καὶ ἰδόντες παρεκάλεσαν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ ἐξῆλθαν.

So when they left the prison, they went to Lydia's house, and when they had seen the brothers they encouraged them and departed.

Narrative conclusion (departure from Philippi; the church established)δέThe chapter closes with a chiasm of entry and exit — begun with Paul entering Philippi, closed with departure. The visit to Lydia and the encouraging of 'the brothers' (the first Philippian church) signals the community's establishment. The 'we' section ends here (note: v.10 began 'we'; here it is 'they').
ἐξελθόντεςgoing outAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιattendant circumstance participle (with εἰσῆλθον)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'to go out'; from the prison — the exit completes the imprisonment narrative.
δέandcontinuative particle
ἀπόfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
φυλακῆςprisonGenitiveobject of ἀπόφυλακή: 'prison'; the prison from which they were thrown in (v.23) and led out (v.39).
εἰσῆλθονthey enteredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'to enter, go into'; they go from prison to Lydia's house — from captivity to community.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (goal — direction toward person)
τήνtheAccusativearticle
ΛυδίανLydiaAccusativeobject of πρός (they went to Lydia)Λυδία: the first European convert (v.14–15), whose house is the mother-church of Philippi. The narrative frame (Lydia in v.15, Lydia in v.40) brackets the entire Philippian episode.
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδόντεςseeingAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωattendant circumstance participle (with παρεκάλεσαν)→ constative aoristὁράω: 'to see'; the sight of the brothers confirms the community — they see the fruit of their suffering.
παρεκάλεσανencouragedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρακαλέωmain verb→ constative aoristπαρακαλέω: 'to exhort, encourage, comfort'; the same word used in v.39 by the magistrates pleading for departure — here in its nobler sense of pastoral encouragement. Paul and Silas's last act in Philippi is to encourage the brothers.
τούςtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφούςbrothersAccusativedirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother'; the gathered believers — the Philippian church, founded through these events. The 'we' narrator appears to remain in Philippi (the 'we' resumes only at 20:5–6, also at Philippi).
καίandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξῆλθανthey departedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (narrative closure)→ constative aorist (the departure)ἐξέρχομαι: 'to go out, depart'; the final verb of the chapter — they go out from Philippi, leaving a church behind. The journey continues to Thessalonica (17:1).