Acts 16 26

Acts 16:26 kjv

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Acts 16:26 nkjv

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.

Acts 16:26 niv

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose.

Acts 16:26 esv

and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.

Acts 16:26 nlt

Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 26 Meaning

Acts 16:26 describes a profound moment of divine intervention during the imprisonment of Paul and Silas in Philippi. While they were praying and singing hymns in their cell, a sudden and violent earthquake occurred. This supernatural event not only physically shook the foundations of the prison but miraculously caused all the prison doors to spring open and everyone's chains, including those of Paul and Silas, to come loose simultaneously. This was not a mere natural disaster but a direct, targeted act of God demonstrating His power to liberate His servants and open a path for the gospel.

Acts 16 26 Context

Acts chapter 16 chronicles Paul's second missionary journey, focusing on the expansion of the Gospel into Europe. After Timothy joins Paul and Silas, they arrive in Philippi, a leading city and a Roman colony. There, Lydia, a businesswoman, is converted, and a demon-possessed fortune-telling slave girl is set free by Paul. This act, however, angers her owners, who exploit her, leading to Paul and Silas being unjustly seized, publicly flogged, and thrown into the innermost prison. Their feet are secured in stocks. Despite this suffering, around midnight, Paul and Silas are heard praying and singing hymns to God, with the other prisoners listening. Acts 16:26 immediately follows this scene of worship amidst confinement, serving as the dramatic divine response. The historical context reveals the rigid, efficient Roman legal and penal system, emphasizing the profound and miraculous nature of the escape.

Acts 16 26 Word analysis

• Suddenly (Greek: aphno ἄφνω): Denotes unexpectedness and swiftness. It emphasizes that this event was not a slow development but an immediate, decisive, and abrupt act of God, demonstrating His instantaneous power.
• there was such a violent earthquake (Greek: egeneto seismos megas ἐγένετο σεισμὸς μέγας): The term seismos can refer to any shaking, but megas signifies "great" or "mighty," indicating its unusual intensity. This was more than a tremor; it was a profound geological event, a divinely orchestrated display of power over creation, a common biblical motif of God's presence and intervention.
• that the foundations (Greek: ta themelia τὰ θεμέλια): Refers to the solid base upon which the prison was built, implying deep-set, stable structures. The shaking of foundations suggests a challenge to the very stability of human systems and structures by divine power.
• of the prison (Greek: tou desmotēriou τοῦ δεσμωτηρίου): Specifically names the place of confinement. This highlights the precise target of God's intervention—the human-made barriers holding His servants.
• were shaken (Greek: esaleuthēsan ἐσαλεύθησαν): Passive voice, indicating they were acted upon. It implies being tossed, agitated, or made unstable. This direct impact on the most fundamental part of the prison demonstrates God's ability to undermine any human restraint.
• At once (Greek: parachrēma παραχρῆμα): Similar to "suddenly," this adverb stresses immediacy, showing the synchronous and precise nature of the miracles that followed the earthquake.
• all (Greek: pasōn πασῶν / pantos παντὸς): This repetition ("all the prison doors," "everyone's chains") underscores the comprehensiveness of the miracle. It wasn't just Paul and Silas, but everyone in the prison who experienced liberation, signaling a broader message of God's universal mercy and sovereign power.
• the prison doors (Greek: ai thyrai αἱ θύραι): Specifically refers to the entry and exit points. Their spontaneous opening signifies a complete removal of physical barriers.
• flew open (Greek: ēneoichthēsan ἠνεῴχθησαν): Passive voice, meaning they "were opened." This emphasizes the supernatural action rather than human intervention. The doors "flying open" suggests a powerful, perhaps even violent, release beyond what a normal earthquake might accomplish.
• and everyone’s chains (Greek: kai pantos desma καὶ παντὸς δεσμὰ): "Chains" (desma) are bonds, fetters. The detail of everyone's chains further emphasizes the magnitude and distinct divine orchestration of the event, exceeding what mere seismic activity could achieve.
• came loose (Greek: anethē ἀνέθη): Passive voice, "were unloosed" or "fell off." This highlights the effortless removal of restraints by divine power, illustrating God's complete and liberating authority over human confinement.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken": This phrase introduces the divine manifestation. The "violent earthquake" is more than a natural occurrence; it's a dramatic physical intervention, directed precisely at the "foundations of the prison," symbolizing the instability of human power structures when God acts. It creates an atmosphere of overwhelming power.
• "At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose": This second part reveals the miraculous consequences. The "at once" ties the two effects (doors opening, chains loosening) directly and simultaneously to the earthquake, preventing interpretation as mere coincidence. The universal nature ("all the prison doors," "everyone's chains") moves the event beyond simply freeing Paul and Silas to demonstrate God's liberating power to all confined. This synchronicity is crucial to establishing it as a miracle rather than a fortunate natural disaster, preparing the stage for the jailer's conversion.

Acts 16 26 Bonus section

The miracle in Acts 16:26 is characterized by its completeness and intentionality. While an earthquake could cause structural damage, the simultaneous opening of all doors and loosening of every prisoner's chains is an intentional, supernatural detail that sets this apart from a random natural event. This over-the-top, universal liberation points to a broader purpose beyond just freeing Paul and Silas. It creates a powerful witness for all within the prison, setting the stage for the Philippian jailer's conviction and conversion. This dramatic display of divine power acts as an irrefutable sign, providing evidence of the truth of the Gospel proclaimed by Paul and Silas, validating their imprisonment for God's purposes. The event further underscores a consistent theme in Acts where God's agents of the Gospel face persecution and imprisonment, only to be miraculously freed or protected, testifying to God's ultimate authority and the unstoppable nature of His kingdom.

Acts 16 26 Commentary

Acts 16:26 presents a pivotal moment of divine intervention, demonstrating God's sovereign power over both nature and human systems of confinement. The violent earthquake, orchestrated by God, not only shook the physical foundations of the prison but metaphorically challenged the stability of human authority and legal structures attempting to suppress the gospel. This was a direct, targeted answer to Paul and Silas's worship, underscoring the power of prayer and praise even in suffering. The miraculous loosening of all chains and opening of all doors, not just for the apostles, highlights the complete and comprehensive nature of God's liberation. This event served not primarily as an escape route, but as a dramatic testimony designed to lead others to salvation, most notably the Philippian jailer in the subsequent verses, powerfully validating Paul and Silas's message and the God they served. The physical deliverance foreshadows spiritual freedom found in Christ.

• Practical example: Just as God liberated Paul and Silas, believers facing seemingly impossible situations, be they emotional, spiritual, or physical confinements, can find hope in His power to open "doors" and "loosen chains" in their lives through prayer and worship.