Acts 16 29

Acts 16:29 kjv

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Acts 16:29 nkjv

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

Acts 16:29 niv

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

Acts 16:29 esv

And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.

Acts 16:29 nlt

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 29 Meaning

The jailer, terrified by the earthquake and the doors being opened, feared severe punishment, likely death, for losing his prisoners. He understood that if the prisoners had escaped, his life would be forfeit due to the Roman laws concerning guarding prisoners.

Acts 16 29 Context

This verse occurs within Acts chapter 16, which details Paul and Silas's missionary journey through Philippi. After casting out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, they were unjustly beaten and imprisoned. While imprisoned, God intervened with a powerful earthquake that shook the prison, opening all the doors and loosening the chains. The jailer, finding the doors open and believing the prisoners had escaped, drew his sword intending to kill himself to avoid the shame and punishment.

Acts 16 29 Word analysis

• "Then": Signifies sequence of events, immediately following the earthquake and the opening of the prison doors.
• "and": Connects the two actions of the jailer.
• "drawing": Present participle in Greek (σπασάμενος, spasamenos), indicating a deliberate and quick action.
• "his": Possessive pronoun.
• "sword": A weapon, typically used for combat or, in this context, for self-inflicted death.
• "he": Refers to the jailer.
• "was about to kill himself": Describes his intended action, a desperate attempt to escape potential consequences. In the Greek, it's expressed by a construction indicating imminent or intended action (μέλλων, mellōn, used with an infinitive), showing his suicidal intent.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "drawing his sword": This action reflects extreme fear and desperation, common in the Roman world where failure to secure prisoners could result in the death of the guard. This also connects to the Old Testament instances where shame or anticipated defeat led to suicide (e.g., Saul in 1 Samuel 31:4).
• "he was about to kill himself": The use of "about to" signifies the immediate and planned nature of his suicide attempt. This highlights the severe legal and social repercussions faced by Roman jailers who lost their charges. Such acts of suicide in response to disgrace or impending punishment were not uncommon in the ancient world.

Acts 16 29 Bonus section

The jailer’s contemplation of suicide echoes the broader ancient Mediterranean context, where honor and the avoidance of shame were paramount, often leading individuals to choose death over disgrace. This moment contrasts sharply with the faith and prayer of Paul and Silas, demonstrating the transformative power of God’s presence even in the direst circumstances. The earthquake, a physical manifestation of God’s power, precedes a spiritual awakening within the jailer, showcasing how God uses supernatural events to break through human despair and lead individuals to salvation.

Acts 16 29 Commentary

The jailer's reaction reveals a deep-seated fear of Roman authority and severe punishment. His imminent suicide underscores the harsh realities of the judicial and penal systems of the time. Instead of seeking accountability or escape, his immediate thought is self-preservation through death to avoid further shame and punishment. This highlights the moral and spiritual void experienced by those living under pagan systems, where ultimate hope and deliverance were absent. Paul's swift intervention, shouting that no one had escaped, immediately stops this deadly impulse and opens the door for the Gospel to be shared.