The World Behind Luke’s “Spirit of Python”
English translations often say that the enslaved girl in Acts 16 had a "spirit of divination." Luke's Greek is more specific: she had a "spirit of Python," a phrase that evokes Apollo, Delphi, and an ancient world of prophecy and profit.
Why Paul Silenced the Diviner in Acts 16
The enslaved diviner appeared to speak the truth about Paul. Why, then, did he command her spirit to be silent? The answer lies partly in how Philippi heard her words.
Was there a Connection Between the Oracle of Delphi and Philippi?
Delphi’s oracle stood far from Philippi, yet Luke’s phrase “spirit of Python” evokes its religious world. Explore the connection—and how it helped shape Mynestra in Oracle of Philippi.