Acts 16 28

Acts 16:28 kjv

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Acts 16:28 nkjv

But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."

Acts 16:28 niv

But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

Acts 16:28 esv

But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."

Acts 16:28 nlt

But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!"

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 28 Meaning

Acts 16:28 records Paul's urgent, life-saving plea to the Philippian jailer. Believing all his prisoners had escaped and facing dire Roman legal consequences (likely death), the jailer was about to commit suicide. Paul's emphatic cry, "Do thyself no harm: for we are all here," interrupts this desperate act. This intervention not only saved the jailer's physical life but also set the stage for his spiritual salvation and that of his entire household, underscoring Paul's Christ-like compassion and the profound value of every human life.

Acts 16 28 Context

Acts 16:28 is a crucial moment within Paul and Silas's second missionary journey. They are unjustly imprisoned in Philippi, a Roman colony, after freeing a fortune-telling slave girl from a demon, which cost her owners their source of income. Beaten and publicly humiliated, they are thrust into the inner prison with their feet in stocks. At midnight, Paul and Silas are praying and singing hymns, when suddenly a violent earthquake shakes the prison, opening all the doors and loosening everyone's chains. The jailer, awakened by the quake, sees the open doors and, presuming the prisoners have escaped, draws his sword to commit suicide. Under Roman law, a jailer was held directly responsible for his prisoners; if they escaped, he faced the same penalty they would have received, often execution, and in this situation, disgrace. This historical context illuminates the jailer's profound despair and his readiness for self-harm, making Paul's immediate and selfless intervention incredibly significant.

Acts 16 28 Word analysis

• "But Paul": Introduces a decisive and compassionate action contrasting the potential for escape. Paul, despite his suffering, prioritizes the jailer's life.
• "cried" (ἐφώνησεν, ephōnēsen): Signifies a strong, loud utterance, born out of urgency and deep concern. It reflects a deliberate intervention.
• "with a loud voice" (μεγάλη φωνῇ, megalē phōnē): Emphasizes the volume and power behind Paul's voice, ensuring he captured the desperate jailer's attention amidst the chaos.
• "saying" (λέγων, legōn): Indicates the direct words spoken, highlighting the specific and impactful nature of Paul's communication.
• "Do thyself no harm":
  • "Do... no harm" (μηδὲν σεαυτῷ κακὸν ποιήσῃς, mēden seautō kakon poiēsēs): This strong imperative means "do yourself no evil/injury/calamity." It directly addresses the jailer's suicidal intent, reflecting the biblical value placed on human life and providing an immediate command to stop.
  • "thyself" (σεαυτῷ, seautō): The reflexive pronoun points directly to the jailer's own body, specifying the target of the self-destructive act he was contemplating.
• "for" (γάρ, gar): A conjunction introducing the immediate, vital reason and factual basis for Paul's command, alleviating the jailer's fear.
• "we are all here." (πάντες γάρ ἐσμεν ἐνθάδε, pantes gar esmen enthade):
  • "we are all" (pantes esmen): A comprehensive declaration confirming the presence of every single prisoner. This truthful statement instantly removed the jailer's perceived reason for suicide.
  • "here." (enthade): Confirms their physical location within the prison, offering verifiable evidence and dispelling the jailer's assumptions.

• "But Paul cried with a loud voice": This phrase captures Paul's swift and powerful reaction, demonstrating extraordinary compassion even towards one who was his oppressor. It signifies a divine appointment where a prisoner saves his captor, exhibiting love over personal opportunity for freedom.
• "Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.": This two-part statement is a life-saving injunction followed by a factual assurance. The imperative preserves life, while the explanatory clause (introduced by "for") provides the critical information that dissolves the jailer's despair. This succinct and truthful intervention dramatically alters the course of events, preventing tragedy and opening the door for salvation.

Acts 16 28 Bonus section

This verse subtly showcases God's controlled miracle; the earthquake opened the doors and loosened chains, but no one escaped. This was not a general jailbreak for the sake of escape but a divine act aimed at the jailer's heart and subsequent conversion. Paul's actions highlight that Christian freedom isn't always about physical release from prison, but often about ministering within confinement. The integrity of the prisoners, specifically Paul and Silas, in choosing not to flee after miraculous liberation, profoundly affected the jailer, demonstrating the authentic power of their faith far more than their mere physical escape could have. This integrity built a bridge of trust, leading directly to the jailer's heartfelt inquiry about salvation.

Acts 16 28 Commentary

Acts 16:28 stands as a profound testament to Paul's Christ-like character and divine purpose. In a moment of extreme duress and potential freedom, Paul demonstrates selfless love and spiritual discernment, prioritizing the life of his despondent captor. The jailer, gripped by fear of Roman reprisal for escaped prisoners, sought to end his own life, a common practice to avoid public disgrace and painful execution. Paul's urgent, loud declaration not only prevents a suicide but also establishes trust, preparing the jailer's heart to hear the Gospel. It underscores the sanctity of life as valued by God and exemplifies the principle of loving one's enemies, showing how a catastrophic moment can be divinely redirected toward evangelism and spiritual transformation.

Examples:

• Preventing despair: Offering a clear, factual reassurance to someone on the brink of self-harm.
• Selfless action: Prioritizing the well-being of another, even a former adversary, over personal advantage.
• Truth and hope: Dispelling unfounded fears with verifiable facts to create space for spiritual truth.