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 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 16:29 | He called for lights and rushed in, trembling and falling down before Paul and Silas. | Demonstrates immediate impact of God's intervention |
| Acts 16:31 | They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” | The core message of salvation |
| Ephesians 2:8 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. That not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, | Emphasizes salvation by grace |
| Titus 3:5 | He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, | Reinforces salvation's source |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. | The ultimate motivation for salvation |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. | Personal value and possession by God |
| Psalm 118:18 | The Lord has chastened me sorely, but he has not given me over to death. | God's discipline and preservation |
| Isaiah 45:2 | I will go before you and level the uneven places; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. | God's power over barriers |
| Psalm 146:7 | who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; | God's liberation for the oppressed |
| Romans 11:33 | Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable, his ways! | God's mysterious ways and power |
| 2 Corinthians 4:8 | We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not put to despair; | Steadfastness in affliction |
| 1 Peter 3:15 | but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, | Readiness to share faith |
| Revelation 3:7-8 | "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one will open. I know your works—look, I have set before you an open door, that no one can shut.'" | Christ's authority to open doors |
| Matthew 5:39 | But I say to you that you must not resist an evil person. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. | Non-retaliation and peace |
| Acts 16:25 | About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. | The foundation for the event |
| Acts 16:24 | and having received these instructions, he put them into the innermost cell and secured their feet in the stocks. | The cause of the earthquake |
| Isaiah 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; | Prophetic declaration of freedom |
| Hebrews 12:11 | For the moment all discipline seems grievous, rather than joyful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. | The purpose of difficult circumstances |
| Romans 5:3 | Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, | Joy in suffering |
| Philippians 1:12 | I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, | Advancement of the gospel through adversity |
| Matthew 18:21-22 | Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” | Forgiveness and mercy |
Acts 16 verses
Acts 16 26 Meaning
When the prison keeper saw that the prison doors flew open and chains fell off, he awoke and drew his sword, intending to kill himself, assuming the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."
Acts 16 26 Context
The setting is Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia. Paul and Silas had been unjustly arrested and severely beaten, then thrown into the inner prison with their feet fastened in stocks. This occurred after they cast a demon out of a young enslaved girl whose fortune-telling ability benefited her owners. The earthquake that miraculously opened the prison doors was a direct result of Paul and Silas's prayers and singing hymns to God, even in their dire situation. The keeper, upon finding the doors open and believing the prisoners had escaped, feared severe punishment from Roman authorities and was prepared to take his own life.
Acts 16 26 Word Analysis
- and (kai): A common conjunction, connecting clauses.
- suddenly (aphnōn): Implies unexpectedness, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event.
- a great (seismos): A powerful earthquake.
- earthquake (ēken): A significant shaking.
- came (prokypteis): Appearing.
- upon (kathekton): Settled or descended.
- the (tas): Definite article.
- prison (phulakēs): Place of confinement, jail.
- doors (thúras): Entranceways.
- and (kai): Conjunction.
- immediately (paramaxamenai): Swiftly, promptly.
- all (pasa): Every, entire.
- the (heis): The definite article.
- bonds (desmē): Shackles or fetters binding the prisoners.
- were (lyētai): Were loosed or set free.
- broken (aphystēmi): Pulled apart or made loose.
- open (apōiegaisthē): Having been opened.
Word-group analysis:
- suddenly a great earthquake came upon the prison doors (aphnōn seismos megas gignetai tas thūras tēs phulakēs): This phrase highlights the supernatural timing and immense power of the earthquake, which was not a natural, predictable event but a divinely orchestrated one to bring about liberation.
- and immediately all the bonds were broken (kai paraxamenai pasai hai desmē elysen): This describes the direct and immediate effect of the earthquake on the prisoners' restraints, specifically the fetters on Paul and Silas, symbolizing spiritual liberation and the breaking of chains of sin or oppression.
Acts 16 26 Bonus Section
The Greek word for "prison" is phulakē, which can also refer to "guard" or "watch." The chains (desmē) were likely shackles that secured the feet, making escape impossible. The breaking of these bonds, combined with the opening of the prison doors, signified a complete and undeniable deliverance. The prison keeper's intended suicide was not uncommon; Roman law often held jailers responsible for the escape of prisoners, with severe penalties, including death, if they could not produce the escaped individuals. This cultural context intensifies the keeper's desperation and makes Paul's intervention even more impactful. This event serves as a profound example of how the gospel advances even through suffering and persecution.
Acts 16 26 Commentary
This verse powerfully illustrates God's ability to intervene in seemingly impossible situations. Paul and Silas, despite being unjustly imprisoned and physically abused, maintained faith through prayer and singing. This faith was met with a dramatic earthquake, orchestrated by God, which not only freed them but also revealed divine power to the prison keeper. The keeper's fear and subsequent suicidal intent underscore the immense pressure and harsh justice system of the time. Paul's immediate concern for the keeper's well-being, calling out "Do not harm yourself," demonstrates the transformative impact of Christ's teachings on compassion and respect for life, even towards an oppressor. It points to the value Paul placed on human life and his desire for the keeper's salvation, which is elaborated in the following verses.