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

Acts 16:27 depicts the dramatic moment when the Philippian jailer, awakened by a miraculous earthquake, discovered the prison doors standing open. Immediately fearing the escape of his prisoners, a failure that would certainly lead to his own execution or severe torture under Roman law, he despaired and moved to take his own life. This verse highlights his fear, his rapid assumption based on his human experience and legal responsibility, and his desperate act driven by profound shame and dread, completely unaware that the prisoners had miraculously remained.

Acts 16 27 Context

Acts 16:27 occurs after Paul and Silas, falsely accused and beaten, have been imprisoned in Philippi. While chained in the inner cell, they were praying and singing hymns, an act of faith heard by the other prisoners. Around midnight, a violent earthquake shook the prison, loosening every prisoner's chains and miraculously throwing open all the doors. This verse immediately follows that miraculous event, focusing on the jailer's sudden awakening and his subsequent desperate reaction. Historically, Roman jailers were held to stringent standards, often facing the exact same penalty as any escaped prisoner, a fate that frequently meant a public, excruciating death or severe torture. Suicide was considered an honorable escape from such disgrace and suffering within Roman culture. Thus, the jailer's decision to take his own life reflects both the extreme pressure of his role and the cultural norms of his time when confronted with what he perceived as a complete failure.

Acts 16 27 Word analysis

• When the jailer woke (δεσμοφύλαξ ἔξυπνος γενόμενος - desmophylax exypnos genomenos):
  • δεσμοφύλαξ (desmophylax): "Bond-keeper," "prison guard." This term highlights his legal and moral responsibility for the prisoners. His identity and livelihood were bound to this duty.
  • ἔξυπνος γενόμενος (exypnos genomenos): "Having become awake," implying a sudden awakening from a deep sleep, likely induced by the earthquake itself. This signifies his state of being suddenly thrust into a chaotic situation.
• and saw that the prison doors were open (καὶ ἰδὼν ἀνεῳγμένας τὰς θύρας τῆς φυλακῆς - kai idōn aneōgmenas tas thyras tēs phylakēs):
  • ἰδὼν (idōn): "Seeing," "perceiving." Emphasizes his visual perception of the situation, leading to his quick conclusion.
  • ἀνεῳγμένας (aneōgmenas): "Having been opened" or "stood open" (perfect participle). Not just a single opening, but a state of being wide open, reinforcing the clear evidence that his eyes took in. This also implies a supernatural act, as no human could have opened them all simultaneously.
• he drew his sword (σπασάμενος τὴν μάχαιραν - spasamenos tēn machairan):
  • σπασάμενος (spasamenos): "Drawing," pulling out. A decisive, immediate action.
  • μάχαιραν (machairan): A short sword or dagger, common sidearm for soldiers and guards. It implies a tool readily available for self-defense or, in this case, self-harm.
• and was about to kill himself (ἔμελλεν ἑαυτὸν ἀναιρεῖν - emellen heauton anairein):
  • ἔμελλεν (emellen): "Was about to," "intended to." Indicates an imminent action, on the verge of being carried out.
  • ἑαυτὸν ἀναιρεῖν (heauton anairein): "To destroy himself," "to take his own life." This phrase explicitly states his suicidal intent. It was an ultimate act of despair, often seen in Roman culture as a preferable alternative to dishonor and severe public punishment.
• supposing that the prisoners had escaped (νομίσας ἐκπεφευγέναι τοὺς δεσμίους - nomisas ekpepheugenai tous desmious):
  • νομίσας (nomisas): "Thinking," "supposing," "believing," "assuming." This is a crucial word. It reveals his internal mental process – a logical (from his perspective) but incorrect assumption based on what he saw and his understanding of responsibility and human nature. He made a judgment call without full information.
  • ἐκπεφευγέναι (ekpepheugenai): "To have escaped," "to have fled away" (perfect infinitive). The prisoners "had already escaped." His mind already considered it a fait accompli, leaving no room for the miraculous reality.
  • τοὺς δεσμίους (tous desmious): "The bound ones," "the prisoners." Referring specifically to those under his charge.

• When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open: This phrase establishes the causal link between his observation and his reaction. His senses conveyed only half the truth (open doors), but his experience supplied a catastrophic conclusion (escape).
• he drew his sword and was about to kill himself: A sequence of actions showing desperate, rapid decision-making driven by fear. The immediacy of the "drawing" and "about to" highlights the panic.
• supposing that the prisoners had escaped: This explains the reason for his suicidal intent. His 'supposition' (νομίσας) is key – it underscores the mental error of drawing a conclusion based on incomplete information, contrasting sharply with the divine reality of the prisoners' voluntary restraint.

Acts 16 27 Bonus section

The immediate readiness of the Roman jailer to commit suicide highlights a significant cultural difference with early Christian thought. While Stoicism and other philosophies within the Roman Empire often viewed suicide as an honorable exit from an intolerable situation, particularly dishonor or prolonged suffering, the Judeo-Christian worldview strongly affirms the sanctity of life as a gift from God. The Old Testament doesn't explicitly condemn suicide, but it's always presented in a context of despair or judgment, never as an act of valor. The intervention by Paul (Acts 16:28) to prevent the jailer's suicide is not just practical; it implicitly teaches the value of human life and offers an alternative to despair through faith in Christ. This cultural clash forms a subtext, where divine power prevents a death deemed honorable by human standards, setting the stage for eternal life.

Acts 16 27 Commentary

Acts 16:27 is a powerful illustration of human despair and flawed judgment when confronted with overwhelming circumstances and incomplete information, contrasting sharply with God's miraculous intervention. The jailer, awakening to chaos and perceiving utter failure—open doors—immediately resorted to the culturally acceptable yet personally destructive act of suicide. His decision stemmed from an assumed reality, rooted in fear of severe Roman punishment (Acts 12:19), rather than seeking to verify the facts. Unbeknownst to him, the same power that shattered his prison had also compelled his prisoners to remain, rendering his despair baseless. This verse beautifully sets the stage for a divine intervention that prevents his self-destruction and pivots his life towards salvation, demonstrating that even in moments of greatest desperation, God's providential hand is at work, offering life where death is chosen (Jn 10:10). His false assumption becomes the precise moment for Paul and Silas to offer him true hope (Acts 16:30-31).