SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:9
Y fue mostrada a Pablo de noche una visin: Un varn Macedonio se puso delante, rogndole, y diciendo: Pasa a Macedonia, y aydanos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 16:9
Verse 9. A vision appeared to Paul in the night] Whether this was in a dream, or whether a representation made to the senses of the apostle, we cannot tell. A man of Macedonia appeared to him, and made this simple communication, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. Some suppose that the guardian angel of Macedonia appeared to St. Paul in a human shape; others, that it was a Divine communication made to his imagination in a dream.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night , etc.] Either in a dream, or, it may be, when he was awake: there stood a man of Macedonia ; an angel in the form of a man; the Syriac version reads, as a man of Macedonia, and who might appear in a Macedonian habit, or speak in the Macedonian language; or the apostle might conclude him to be so, from his making mention of Macedonia, as the place where he requested him to come, and assist: and prayed him, saying, come over into Macedonia ; Macedonia was a very large country in Europe; which formerly consisted, as Pliny says, of a hundred and fifty people, or nations, and was called Emathia; it took its name of Macedonia from Macedo, a son of Jupiter, and of Thyd, a daughter of Deucalion: according to Ptolomy it had on the north Dalmatia, superior Mysia and Thracia; on the west, the Ionian sea; on the south Epirus; and on the east, part of Thracia, and the gulfs of the Aegean sea. It had formerly other names besides Emathia and Macedonia, as Mygdonia and Edoma, and is now called Albania or Ronnelli. Troas, where the apostle now was, when he had this vision, was just by the Hellespont, over which he must go to Macedonia; and therefore the Macedonian prays him to come over, adding, and help us ; by praying and preaching, to pull down the kingdom of Satan, to destroy superstition and idolatry, to enlighten the eyes of men, and turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and save them from utter ruin and destruction. This shows what a miserable condition this country was in; and that God had some chosen people among them to gather in, whose time was now come; and of what use and service the angels, Christs ministering spirits, are, who are helpful in weakening the kingdom of Satan, and advancing the interest of Christ, and in spreading his Gospel, and particularly in directing the ministers of it where to preach it; though it follows not from hence, that this angel presided over the whole country, and was their tutelar angel, as some think.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-15 - The removals of ministers, and the dispensing the means of grace by them, are in particular under Divine conduct and direction. We mus follow Providence: and whatever we seek to do, if that suffer us not we ought to submit and believe to be for the best. People greatly nee help for their souls, it is their duty to look out for it, and to invite those among them who can help them. And God's calls must be complied with readily. A solemn assembly the worshippers of God mus have, if possible, upon the sabbath day. If we have not synagogues, we must be thankful for more private places, and resort to them; no forsaking the assembling together, as our opportunities are. Among the hearers of Paul was a woman, named Lydia. She had an honest calling which the historian notices to her praise. Yet though she had a callin to mind, she found time to improve advantages for her soul. It will no excuse us from religious duties, to say, We have a trade to mind; for have not we also a God to serve, and souls to look after? Religion doe not call us from our business in the world, but directs us in it Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till his grac makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lor alone can open the heart to receive and believe his word. We mus believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ οραμα 3705 N-NSN δια 1223 PREP της 3588 T-GSF νυκτος 3571 N-GSF ωφθη 3700 5681 V-API-3S τω 3588 T-DSM παυλω 3972 N-DSM ανηρ 435 N-NSM τις 5100 X-NSM ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S μακεδων 3110 N-NSM εστως 2476 5761 V-RAP-NSM παρακαλων 3870 5723 V-PAP-NSM αυτον 846 P-ASM και 2532 CONJ λεγων 3004 5723 V-PAP-NSM διαβας 1224 5631 V-2AAP-NSM εις 1519 PREP μακεδονιαν 3109 N-ASF βοηθησον 997 5657 V-AAM-2S ημιν 2254 P-1DP
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:9 {A vision} (horama). Old word, eleven times in Acts, once in #Mt 17:9. Twice Paul had been hindered by the Holy Spirit from going where he wanted to go. Most men would have gone back home with such rebuffs, but not so Paul. Now the call is positive and not negative, to go "far hence to the Gentiles" (#22:21). He had little dreamed of such a call when he left Antioch. Paul's frequent visions always came at real crises in his life. {A man of Macedonia} (aner makedwn). Ramsay follows Renan in the view that this was Luke with whom Paul had conversed about conditions in Macedonia. Verse #10 makes it plain that Luke was now in the party, but when he joined them we do not know. Some hold that Luke lived at Antioch in Syria and came on with Paul and Silas, others that he joined them later in Galatia, others that he appeared now either as Paul's physician or new convert. Ramsay thinks that Philippi was his home at this time. But, whatever is true about Luke, the narrative must not be robbed of its supernatural aspect (#10:10; 22:17). {Was standing} (en hestws). Second perfect active participle of histemi, intransitive, periphrastic imperfect. Vivid picture. {Help us} (boeqeson hemin). Ingressive first aorist active imperative of boeqew (boe, qew), to run at a cry, to help. The man uses the plural for all including himself. It was the cry of Europe for Christ.
