Acts 16:34 kjv
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Acts 16:34 nkjv
Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
Acts 16:34 niv
The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God?he and his whole household.
Acts 16:34 esv
Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Acts 16:34 nlt
He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
Acts 16 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 16:34 | ...brought them into his house and set food before them; and he rejoiced greatly, | Acts 16:34 |
| Luke 19:8 | And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here half of my possessions I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold." | Luke 19:8 (Restitution) |
| Romans 10:9 | because, if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. | Romans 10:9 (Confession) |
| Ephesians 3:17 | that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, | Ephesians 3:17 (Dwelling) |
| 1 Thessalonians 1:6 | And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Spirit, | 1 Thessalonians 1:6 (Joy) |
| John 13:34 | A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. | John 13:34 (Love Command) |
| Philippians 2:4 | Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. | Philippians 2:4 (Other's Interests) |
| Isaiah 56:7 | even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.' | Isaiah 56:7 (House of Prayer) |
| Matthew 5:16 | Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. | Matthew 5:16 (Good Works) |
| Acts 2:44 | Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, | Acts 2:44 (Fellowship) |
| Acts 2:47 | praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. | Acts 2:47 (Favor, Salvation) |
| John 4:23 | But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. | John 4:23 (True Worship) |
| Romans 12:13 | distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. | Romans 12:13 (Hospitality) |
| Titus 3:1 | Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, | Titus 3:1 (Good Works) |
| 1 Peter 4:9 | Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. | 1 Peter 4:9 (Hospitality) |
| Matthew 10:42 | And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. | Matthew 10:42 (Reward) |
| Galatians 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, | Galatians 5:22 (Fruit of Spirit) |
| Acts 18:8 | Then Crispus, the chief synagogue ruler, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. | Acts 18:8 (Household Salvation) |
| Colossians 3:12 | Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on your tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; | Colossians 3:12 (Tender Mercies) |
| Luke 15:10 | Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” | Luke 15:10 (Joy over Repentance) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 | Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. | 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Glory of God) |
Acts 16 verses
Acts 16 34 Meaning
The jailer's personal act of bringing Paul and Silas into his home signifies a profound shift from persecutor to protector, and an expression of his newfound faith and repentant heart. It demonstrates a genuine desire to care for them, reflecting the deep respect and honor he now holds for these men and the God they serve. This hospitable gesture underscores the transformative power of conversion, moving beyond mere belief to active service and compassion.
Acts 16 34 Context
This verse follows the dramatic conversion of the Philippian jailer after an earthquake miraculously freed Paul and Silas from their prison chains. In the preceding verses (Acts 16:25-34), the jailer, recognizing the divine intervention and the power of God, falls at Paul and Silas's feet. He understands their innocence and the supernatural events that transpired. This leads to his immediate repentance and baptism, along with his entire household. The immediate historical and cultural context in Philippi, a Roman colony, would have involved Roman law and order, with a prison setting typically being a place of harsh conditions. The act of bringing Paul and Silas into his home signifies a complete inversion of his previous role as their guard. The audience of Luke-Acts would be familiar with Jewish hospitality customs and the broader Greco-Roman culture where offering food and shelter was a significant act of goodwill and respect.
Acts 16 34 Word analysis
- And he brought: Greek: καὶ εἰσάγαγεν (kai eisagagen). "Kai" (and) connects this action to the previous repentance and baptism, showing the immediate consequence. "Eisagagen" (he brought) is the aorist active indicative of eisagō, meaning "to lead in" or "bring into." It denotes a completed action by the jailer.
- them: Greek: αὐτούς (autous), referring to Paul and Silas.
- into his house: Greek: εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ (eis tēn oikian autou). "Oikian" means "house," "home," or "household." It emphasizes a personal and domestic setting, moving from the public and punitive space of the prison to the private sphere of his dwelling.
- and set food before them: Greek: καὶ παρέθηκεν τραπέζην αὐτοῖς (kai paretēken trapezēn autois). "Paretēken" (he set before) is from paratithēmi, meaning to place alongside or before, specifically in the context of serving a meal. "Trapezēn" refers to a "table," implying a formal meal setting rather than just food. This signifies hospitality and a desire to nourish them physically.
- and rejoiced greatly: Greek: καὶ ἠγαλλιάσατο ἐφ' ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ (kai ēgalliasato eph' holō tō oikō autou). "Ēgalliasato" is the aorist middle indicative of agalliaō, meaning "to exult," "rejoice greatly," or "be exceedingly glad." The emphasis "eph' holō tō oikō" means "over all his house," indicating his joy was for himself and his entire household who had been saved. This intense joy is characteristic of the Holy Spirit's work in genuine conversion.
words-group analysis
- brought them into his house: This phrase collectively signifies the jailer's protective embrace and acceptance of Paul and Silas as brothers in Christ, transcending his prior role as their captor. It’s a physical manifestation of his internal spiritual transformation.
- set food before them: This action speaks to the deep restoration and reconciliation that occurred. It’s an act of selfless generosity and hospitality, a clear sign of his repentance and burgeoning Christian love (agape).
- rejoiced greatly, over all his house: This communal joy highlights the impact of the gospel on the entire household and the jailer's profound relief and gratitude for the salvation extended to his family. It points to the joy that accompanies true repentance and salvation, mirroring heavenly rejoicing over a repentant sinner (Luke 15:7, 10).
Acts 16 34 Bonus section
This verse is a vivid illustration of how genuine conversion impacts one's outward behavior, demonstrating compassion and sacrificial love. The jailer’s eagerness to provide for Paul and Silas mirrors the early church’s practice of sharing and mutual support (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35), showing that the principles of Christian community were already beginning to take root in this unexpected quarter. His joy is also a testament to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who brings assurance and gladness even in difficult circumstances. This immediate act of caring after conversion stands as a strong model of putting faith into practice through service and fellowship.
Acts 16 34 Commentary
The jailer's action here is not just an act of service but a powerful demonstration of his complete transformation. Having experienced the power of God through Paul and Silas, and having had his own household saved and baptized, he now actively cares for the well-being of the apostles. This hospitality, expressed by bringing them into his home and providing a meal, reflects a genuine love and reverence for God and His messengers. It mirrors the biblical understanding of hospitality as a sacred duty, often seen as an extension of serving Christ Himself (cf. Matthew 10:42; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2). His great joy signifies the overwhelming sense of peace and relief that comes with salvation and a clear conscience. This personal embrace and care underscores the transformative nature of faith, moving from fear and duty to selfless love and joy.