Paul's Story
A painting of Paul's night vision of a man of Macedonia at Troas

Paul's Story · Event 17 of 42

The Call to Macedonia

The Second Journey · Troas

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Acts 16:6–10

6They traveled through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit did not allow them. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9During the night, Paul had a vision: a man from Macedonia was standing there, pleading with him, "Cross over to Macedonia and help us!" 10As soon as Paul saw the vision, we immediately made plans to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Read Acts 16
Up nextLydia BelievesActs 16:11–15

About this event

What happened?

The Holy Spirit kept Paul and his companions from speaking the word in the province of Asia, and the Spirit of Jesus would not let them enter Bithynia. So they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” They got ready at once, sure that God had called them to preach there.

Who is here?

  • Silas
  • Timothy
  • A man of Macedonia (in a vision)

Where did this happen?

Troas

A port on the northwest coast of what is now Turkey, across the sea from Macedonia.

Where this fits

Event 2 of 8 in The Second Journey: Paul and Silas carry the good news into Macedonia and Greece: Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens and Corinth.

Good to know

Here Acts begins to say “we.” Many readers take this to mean the writer joined Paul, and many believe the writer was Luke. Acts does not name its writer. In Acts 16:7 most newer Bibles say “the Spirit of Jesus”; the KJV says “the Spirit.”

Keep exploring

Before thisTimothy Joins PaulActs 16:1–5After thisLydia BelievesActs 16:11–15

Paul's Story