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

Acts 16:29 vividly portrays the Philippian jailer's immediate and profound reaction to a divine intervention, an earthquake that miraculously opened the prison doors yet left all prisoners present. Overwhelmed by an initial fear for his life and then a burgeoning terror of something beyond human explanation, he desperately calls for illumination, rushes into the cell, and prostrates himself in fear and awe before Paul and Silas. This act signifies a crucial turning point, moving from despair and duty to deep reverence, desperate supplication, and a recognition of the profound spiritual authority emanating from these previously imprisoned men.

Acts 16 29 Context

Acts chapter 16 unfolds with Paul and Silas, joined by Timothy and Luke, spreading the Gospel into Macedonia, reaching the city of Philippi. There, they cast out a demon from a fortune-telling slave girl, which angered her masters who profited from her abilities (Acts 16:16-19). As a result, Paul and Silas were dragged before the magistrates, falsely accused, severely beaten, and then thrown into the innermost cell of the prison, their feet secured in stocks (Acts 16:20-24). Despite their suffering, they were heard by the other prisoners praying and singing hymns around midnight. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the prison, miraculously opening all the doors and loosening everyone's chains (Acts 16:25-26). The jailer, awakening and seeing the open doors, presumed the prisoners had escaped and, to avoid the mandatory penalty of his own death, drew his sword to commit suicide (Acts 16:27). Paul quickly intervened, calling out that no one had escaped (Acts 16:28). It is in this immediate aftermath—the jailer's averted self-harm, the extraordinary and unexplainable event of the earthquake, and the presence of his seemingly supernatural prisoners—that the jailer performs the actions described in Acts 16:29. His terror, which initially focused on human justice, now shifts to an overwhelming dread and awe of divine power, prompting his desperate actions.

Acts 16 29 Word analysis

• Then he called for a light:

  • "Then he called for" (Καλέσας δὲ - Kalesas de): "Kalesas" is an aorist active participle of kaleō (to call), indicating a decisive, immediate action. "De" serves as a conjunction, connecting this action to his prior realization of the earthquake. This phrase conveys a frantic, urgent demand, suggesting a search for clarity in the sudden darkness of his world, both physical and existential.
  • "a light" (φῶτα - phōta): The Greek plural "lights" emphasizes the profound need for illumination, perhaps multiple torches or lamps, reflecting the intensity of his desperation. It's a literal search for clarity, yet symbolically points to a spiritual yearning for understanding amid the terrifying display of divine power.

• ran in,

  • "ran in" (εἰσεπήδησεν - eisepeedēsen): Derived from eispēdaō, meaning "to leap in" or "rush in." This powerful verb vividly depicts the jailer's panic and headlong haste. He did not merely walk or cautiously enter, but burst into the cell, propelled by terror, curiosity, and an urgent desire to confront the extraordinary events and Paul and Silas directly.

• and fell down trembling

  • "and" (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting his hurried entry to his next dramatic action.
  • "fell down" (προσέπεσεν - prosepesen): From prospiptō, meaning "to fall before" or "fall prostrate." This is a highly significant gesture in ancient cultures, used for showing deep reverence, extreme submission, or urgent supplication before deities, royalty, or those perceived to hold divine authority. Here, it denotes profound humility and a recognition of the unparalleled power represented by Paul and Silas.
  • "trembling" (ἔντρομος γενόμενος - entromos genomenos): Literally, "having become terrified" or "having become trembling." Entromos is a strong word denoting intense, often spiritual, fear, agitation, and awe. This isn't merely physical fright but a visceral response to a divine encounter, marking a shift from fear of Roman justice to a profound, holy terror before God's majesty.

• before Paul and Silas.

  • "before Paul and Silas" (τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ Σίλα - tō Paulō kai Sila): The dative case clearly indicates that his prostration is directed towards them. This highlights his immediate recognition of their spiritual authority and connection to the overwhelming power he just witnessed. They are no longer mere prisoners, but vessels of divine might.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Called for a light, ran in": This sequence emphasizes the jailer's agitated state and rapid transition from contemplating suicide to frantically seeking information and confronting the source of the supernatural event. The desire for light points to his craving for immediate clarity and understanding in a situation that had overturned his world.
  • "Fell down trembling before Paul and Silas": This entire phrase encapsulates a moment of deep spiritual transformation and humble submission. His physical posture of prostration, coupled with his profound inner terror and shaking, marks a pivotal act of desperate worship and appeal, acknowledging the divine power that has manifested through the two men previously in his custody. He moves from being their jailer to their supplicant.

Acts 16 29 Bonus section

This passage starkly contrasts Roman civic order and self-sufficiency with the disruptive, transformative power of God. Roman jails were symbols of the Empire's unyielding authority, yet an earthquake orchestrated by God effortlessly rendered their security useless. The jailer, initially bound by Roman duty to such an extent that he considered suicide over perceived failure, is completely undone and humbled by an encounter with the divine. His professional facade collapses, replaced by raw emotion and spiritual seeking. His trembling reaction is a vivid fulfillment of Ps 2:11, "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling," embodying a divinely induced "godly sorrow" that precedes repentance (2 Cor 7:10). This immediate and overwhelming response is crucial for his salvation, highlighting that a recognition of God's power and one's own vulnerability often precedes a sincere desire for redemption.

Acts 16 29 Commentary

Acts 16:29 is the climactic moment where the hardened Philippian jailer's life takes a decisive turn, initiated by an act of God. His frantic actions—calling for light, rushing into the inner cell, and falling prostrate while trembling—reflect more than just fear of losing his prisoners; they betray a profound spiritual awakening. The "light" he calls for symbolizes not just physical illumination in the prison's darkness but a deeper yearning for truth in the overwhelming confusion and terror caused by the divine earthquake. His prostration, a gesture of absolute deference, awe, and desperate pleading, directed toward Paul and Silas, reveals his understanding that he stands before representatives of a power far superior to any earthly authority, including Rome's. This is a display of fear evolving into reverent awe, setting the stage for his subsequent crucial question about salvation. The verse powerfully demonstrates how divine intervention can shatter human self-reliance and prepare a heart to receive the Gospel message.