Acts 16 23

Acts 16:23 kjv

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Acts 16:23 nkjv

And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.

Acts 16:23 niv

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.

Acts 16:23 esv

And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.

Acts 16:23 nlt

They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 23 Meaning

When Paul and Silas were unjustly beaten and thrown into prison without a trial, their prayer and praise in prison at midnight caused an earthquake. This divine intervention opened the prison doors and loosed the chains of all the prisoners. The jailer, fearing repercussions for the escape, was about to commit suicide. Paul stopped him, and when the jailer asked for guidance, Paul presented the Gospel, stating belief in the Lord Jesus Christ leads to salvation for oneself and one's household.

Acts 16 23 Context

This verse occurs during Paul's second missionary journey in Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia. Paul and Silas had cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, whose owners then accused them of causing public disorder. This led to their unjust arrest, severe beating with rods, and imprisonment. Despite their brutal treatment and confinement, they responded with prayer and singing praises to God in the middle of the night, indicating their unwavering faith and reliance on God even in the direst circumstances. The subsequent earthquake is presented as a direct divine response to their faithful prayer and worship.

Acts 16 23 Word Analysis

• Lian (λιαν): "greatly," "exceedingly," "very much." This adverb emphasizes the intensity of their prayer and singing.

• Promecheomai (προμεχόμενος): A verb derived from "before" and "to hold," meaning "to guard," "to protect," or in this context, "to take care of." It describes the jailer's responsibility and fear for the prisoners under his charge.

• Sýmpantes (σύμπαντες): "all together," "all of them." Refers to all the prisoners in the jail.

• Apheis (ἀφεὶς): From "aphiemi" (ἀφίημι), meaning "to let go," "to release," "to forgive." In this context, it signifies the unlocking and loosening of the chains and prison doors.

• Phrourion (φρούριον): "a guarded place," "a garrison," "a prison."

• Kithara (κιθάρα): While the word for "hymns" is "hymnōntōn" (ὑμνούντων), meaning "singing praises," "kithara" refers to a stringed instrument, a lyre or harp. Some interpretations suggest they might have accompanied their hymns with such an instrument, though the text directly states they were "singing hymns" or "praying and singing hymns."

• Laolathrēs (λαοθρῆσαι): Derived from "laos" (λαός - people) and "threnos" (θρῆνος - lamentation or dirge), it suggests lamentation for the people, or potentially referring to rituals associated with appeasing the populace. However, its use here in reference to the jailer's potential motive points to fear of the populace's anger should the prisoners escape.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "prayer and singing hymns" (προσευχόμενοι καὶ ὑμνούντων τὸν Θεόν): This pairing highlights a holistic approach to worship. It is not mere quiet meditation but an active expression of praise and petition, demonstrating their trust in God's power to intervene.
  • "earthquake" (σεισμὸς): This is the supernatural catalyst, a clear demonstration of divine power responding to the faithful prayers of Paul and Silas.
  • "found the prison door open" (εὗρεν τὴν θύραν τῆς φυλακῆς ἀνεῳγμένην): The physical consequence of the earthquake, signifying liberation not just for Paul and Silas but for all inmates, reflecting God's sovereign action.
  • "what must I do to be saved?" (τί ποιήσας σωθῶ;): This pivotal question, arising from the jailer's shock and terror, becomes the launching point for the core of the Gospel message in this narrative.

Acts 16 23 Bonus Section

The incident in Philippi powerfully illustrates the "persecution that occurred because of righteousness" as mentioned in Matthew 5:10. Paul and Silas were not punished for any wrongdoing, but for casting out a demon, an act aligned with God's will. Their subsequent suffering, met with prayer and praise, exemplifies the biblical principle of rejoicing in tribulation, as exhorted in Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4. The jailer’s conversion also echoes the promises of salvation for households, seen in instances like Cornelius in Acts 10 and the Ethiopian eunuch's potential family later on. This account is a testament to the resilience of the Christian faith and God's ability to turn affliction into opportunity for evangelism and salvation, even in the darkest of hours.

Acts 16 23 Commentary

Paul and Silas's act of praying and singing hymns in prison demonstrates radical trust in God amidst suffering. Their worship was not a desperate plea but a profound expression of faith, rooted in the assurance of God's presence and power. The midnight setting, often associated with despair, becomes a backdrop for supernatural deliverance. The earthquake is God's immediate, powerful response to their faithfulness. The jailer’s desperate state and immediate query about salvation represent a critical moment where God’s plan intersects with human crisis. Paul’s answer cuts directly to the heart of the Gospel: salvation is found exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ, not in external acts or ritual. This pivotal moment leads to the conversion of the entire jailer's household, illustrating the comprehensive nature of God’s salvation that extends to families. This event underscores the transformative power of faith that leads to joy and praise even in the most oppressive circumstances, and God’s active intervention on behalf of His faithful servants.