Acts 16 27

Acts 16:27 kjv

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

Acts 16:27 nkjv

And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.

Acts 16:27 niv

The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.

Acts 16:27 esv

When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

Acts 16:27 nlt

The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 27 Meaning

When the jailer awoke and saw that the prison doors were unbolted, he drew his sword, intending to kill himself, because he supposed that the prisoners had escaped.

Acts 16 27 Context

This verse occurs immediately after a miraculous earthquake frees Paul and Silas from prison in Philippi. The jailer, upon waking and seeing the doors wide open, assumes the prisoners have fled. In the Roman legal and societal context, a guard's failure to keep prisoners secured meant severe punishment, often death, as a way to deter future negligence. The jailer's suicidal intent stems from this severe consequence and the perceived unrecoverable situation. This event is part of Paul's second missionary journey.

Acts 16 27 Word Analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A common conjunction connecting clauses or ideas, here linking the jailer's action to his perceived situation.
• seeing (ἰδὼν - idōn): Aorist participle of ὁράω (horaō), meaning "to see," "to perceive," or "to understand." It highlights the jailer's immediate visual assessment of the open prison doors.
• that (ὅτι - hoti): A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause explaining the reason for his action.
• the (αἱ - hai): Feminine plural definite article.
• prison (φυλακαὶ - phylakai): Plural noun for "prison" or "guard house."
• doors (θύραι - thyrai): Plural noun for "doors" or "gates."
• having been opened (ἀνῳγμέναι - anōgmenai): Perfect passive participle of ἀνοίγω (anoigō), "to open." The perfect tense emphasizes a completed action that has a continuing result – the doors are open.
• he drew (σπασάμενος - spasamenos): Aorist middle participle of σπάω (spaō), meaning "to draw," "to pull," or "to tear." In this context, it specifically refers to drawing a sword from its sheath.
• his (τὴν - tēn): Feminine singular definite article.
• sword (ῥόμφαίαν - romphaian): A noun for a large sword, often a saber or falchion.
• being (συμπεράσας - sumperasas): Aorist participle of συμβάλλω (symballo), a complex verb. Here it conveys the idea of "concluding," "judging," "inferring," or "reckoning." It describes the jailer's rapid, albeit mistaken, conclusion based on his observation.
• that (ὡς - hōs): An adverb or conjunction often translated as "as," "how," or in this context, "that" to introduce the content of his thought or inference.
• the (τοὺς - tous): Masculine plural definite article.
• prisoners (δεσμίους - desmious): Accusative plural of δέσμιος (desmios), meaning "captive," "prisoner," or "one in bonds."
• had escaped (ἐκπεφευγέναι - ekpepeugēnai): Perfect active infinitive of ἐκφεύγω (ekpheugō), meaning "to escape" or "to flee from." The perfect infinitive indicates a past, completed action viewed from the perspective of the jailer's inference.

Phrase/Words Group Analysis:

• "seeing that the prison doors having been opened": This phrase emphasizes the visual evidence the jailer processed. The use of the perfect passive participle "having been opened" conveys the permanence of the state – the doors are demonstrably ajar or fully open, not just in the process of being opened.
• "he drew his sword": This action is swift and decisive, directly linked to the dire consequences of failure in his duty. It reflects the strict penal system of the Roman Empire.
• "being that the prisoners had escaped": This clause reveals the jailer's faulty reasoning. His conclusion is based solely on the opened doors, without considering other possibilities like divine intervention. The perfect infinitive "had escaped" reinforces the finality of his mistaken assumption.

Acts 16 27 Bonus Section

The jailer's despair and attempt at suicide (27b) would have been met with astonishment by Paul and Silas, who, despite their suffering, immediately prevented him. This prevention and the subsequent conversion of the jailer (28-34) are a profound demonstration of the transformative power of the Gospel and God's sovereign control, even in dire circumstances. The contrast between the jailer's utter despair and the assurance of Paul and Silas illustrates the difference between a life governed by earthly fears and one rooted in divine faith. His suicidal thought echoes the desperation seen in figures like Judas (Matthew 27:5) when facing overwhelming guilt and hopelessness, yet in this instance, it leads to redemption rather than eternal separation.

Acts 16 27 Commentary

The jailer's reaction is driven by fear of severe punishment, including death, for losing his prisoners. His understanding of his duty and the Roman system of accountability left him with no perceived recourse. He concluded the worst-case scenario solely from visual evidence of the unbolted doors, failing to consider any other explanation. This desperate act highlights the pressures faced by Roman officials and the high stakes involved in their responsibilities. His action is an extreme, immediate response born out of his societal conditioning and fear of disgrace and death.