16:9a
During the night: This phrase may refer to the first night in Troas or some nights later. For example:
That night (Good News Translation)
-or-
One night (New Jerusalem Bible)
Paul had a vision: This clause in Greek is literally “a vision appeared to Paul.” Here the word vision refers to something that appears supernaturally. It is like a dream, but the person is usually awake. It is something or someone that people usually cannot see, but God or Jesus helps them to see it.
Macedonia: Macedonia was a Roman province. It was north of Achaia. The people spoke a dialect of Greek. It was on the other side of the Aegean Sea from Troas.
standing: It is probably implied that in the vision the man was standing in front of Paul.
16:9b
pleading: This word in Greek means “invite” or “summon for aid.” The Greek tense probably indicates that he said “Come over to Macedonia and help us” more than once. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
was…urging (English Standard Version)
-or-
begging
-or-
earnestly requesting ⌊that we help them⌋
Come over to Macedonia and help us: This is a command. The man in the vision was politely requesting Paul to come and help. Translate this as a polite request. Other ways to translate this command are:
Please come to Macedonia and help us.
-or-
Would you come over to Macedonia and help us?
-or-
We would like you to come to Macedonia and help us.
In this vision, the man spoke as if he was in Macedonia.
Come over: This phrase in Greek refers to crossing a barrier. Paul would need to cross the Aegean Sea to get to Macedonia. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
Come across (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Cross ⌊the sea⌋
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