Acts 16:25 kjv
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Acts 16:25 nkjv
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:25 niv
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:25 esv
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Acts 16:25 nlt
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
Acts 16 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 16:25 | And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: | Divine support in affliction |
| Psalm 50:15 | And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, | Trusting God during distress |
| Psalm 34:1 | I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. | Perpetual praise |
| Job 1:20 | Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, | Worship in adversity |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. | God as the source of comfort |
| Phil 2:14 | Do all things without murmurings and disputings: | Attitude of believers |
| Eph 5:19-20 | Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; | Believers engaging in worship |
| Heb 13:15 | By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. | Offering praise as sacrifice |
| James 5:13 | Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. | Prayer and singing in affliction |
| Psalm 22:3 | But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. | God's dwelling place in praise |
| Psalm 130:1 | Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. | Crying to God in distress |
| Romans 15:11 | And again, Esaias saith, Thou shalt praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and all ye people, laud him. | Universal praise |
| Ps 77:11-12 | I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of thy work, and talk of thy doings. | Remembering God's past deeds |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. | The indwelling of Christ's word |
| Josh 1:8 | This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. | Meditating on God's Word |
| Jer 17:14 | Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. | God as the object of praise |
| Ps 149:6 | Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; | Praises as a spiritual weapon |
| Prov 18:24 | A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. | Fellowship and support |
| 2 Thess 3:3 | But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. | God's faithfulness |
| Acts 16:26 | And suddenly there was a great earthquake, and the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. | God's intervention during worship |
Acts 16 verses
Acts 16 25 Meaning
In the midst of suffering, Paul and Silas found solace and strength not in wishing their circumstances away, but in turning their hearts towards God in prayer and praise. Their song became a testament to their unwavering faith, demonstrating that true worship transcends outward appearances and external oppression, pointing to an internal freedom and divine hope.
Acts 16 25 Context
At midnight, Paul and Silas, imprisoned and beaten without a trial, were in the Philippian jail. Despite their severe suffering and unjust confinement, their focus shifted from their physical torment to their spiritual connection. Instead of succumbing to despair, they chose to worship God through prayer and song. This act of faith immediately preceded a miraculous earthquake that freed them and the other prisoners, demonstrating God's powerful intervention in response to their praise. This event occurred during Paul's second missionary journey, a period marked by significant evangelistic efforts and challenges within the early Christian church.
Acts 16 25 Word Analysis
And (καὶ - kai): A conjunction, signifying connection and continuation. It links their action to the time and their situation.
at (κατὰ - kata): A preposition indicating distribution or setting. Here, it marks the specific time.
midnight (μεσονύκτιον - mesonuktion): Literally "middle of the night." A specific point in time, often associated with darkness and vulnerability.
Paul (Παῦλος - Paulos): The Apostle Paul, a key figure in early Christianity, previously known as Saul.
and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction.
Silas (Σιλᾶς - Silas): A prominent leader in the early church and a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys.
prayed (προσηύχομτο - proseuchomto): Imperfect passive indicative of προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai), meaning "to pray" or "to make supplication." The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or repeated action, implying their prayer was not a single, brief moment.
and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction.
sang (ᾔδον - hēidon): Imperfect active indicative of ᾄδω (aidō), meaning "to sing." Again, the imperfect tense suggests they were singing repeatedly.
praises (ὕμνους - hymnous): Accusative plural of ὕμνος (hymnos), meaning "hymns" or "songs of praise." This refers to songs directed towards God.
unto (πρὸς - pros): A preposition indicating direction or destination.
God (τὸν Θεόν - ton Theon): The definite article and noun for "God."
Word Group Analysis:
- "at midnight": Emphasizes the darkest, most difficult hour.
- "Paul and Silas prayed": Highlights their spiritual action in prayer, an active engagement with God.
- "sang praises unto God": Describes their vocal and joyous worship, focusing praise specifically towards God.
- "prayed, and sang": The use of two imperfect verbs underscores the sustained nature of their spiritual engagement during this time.
Acts 16 25 Bonus Section
The choice of "midnight" as the time for prayer and singing is significant. It's a time often associated with vulnerability, fear, and helplessness. However, for believers, it can also be a time when God's power is most magnified (Exodus 12:12, 29). The very darkness of their situation mirrored the darkness of the hour. Yet, it was in this depth of suffering and opposition that their faith shone brightest, fulfilling principles found in Scripture, such as calling on God in the day of trouble and blessing His name continually. This event also demonstrates the supernatural effect of praise, not just as an emotional release, but as a spiritual force that can move the hand of God, leading to deliverance.
Acts 16 25 Commentary
Paul and Silas's response to their severe mistreatment in prison is a powerful demonstration of transformed priorities. Despite physical pain and unjust confinement, they chose active, unceasing worship through prayer and singing hymns to God. This was not merely passive endurance but a deliberate act of faith that shifted their focus from their circumstances to the sovereign God who controls all things. Their songs were likely from the Old Testament Psalms, which are filled with expressions of trust, lament, and praise in times of trouble. This choice to worship at midnight, a time of deepest darkness and likely despair for many, positioned them to receive God's powerful intervention, which followed immediately, liberating them and all the prisoners. Their worship became a catalyst for divine action, proving that sincere praise, offered even in the direst of conditions, is pleasing to God and can unlock His power.