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Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
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And the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But about midnight when Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the rest of the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And at midnight Paul and Silas praying, were singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were hearing them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now toward midnight, Paul and Silas praying, were singing praises to God. And the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And at midnight Paul and Silas praying, were singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were hearing them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And at midnight Paul and Silas praying, praised God: and the imprisoned heard them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And at midnight, Paul and Silas praying, praised God. And they that were in prison, heard them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and glorified God; and the prisoners heard them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />In the middle of the night, Paulus and Shila were praying and singing to God and the prisoners were listening to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sung a hymn to God; and the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But at midnight Paul and Silas, praying, continued to sing praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But about midnight Paul and Silas, after joining in prayer, sang hymns to God: and the prisoners heard them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />At midnight Paul and Silas went to prayers, and sang praises to God, which the other prisoners heard:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And about midnight Paul and Silas, while engaged in prayer, were singing praise to God; and the prisoners were listening to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Now in the middle of the night Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, and the prisoners heard them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/16-25.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5412" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm">The Conversion of the Jailer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24</span>On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. <span class="reftext">25</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: Kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">About</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3317.htm" title="3317: mesonyktion (N-ANS) -- Midnight, the middle of the period between sunset and sunrise. Neuter of compound of mesos and nux; midnight.">midnight</a> <a href="/greek/3972.htm" title="3972: Paulos (N-NMS) -- Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.">Paul</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4609.htm" title="4609: Silas (N-NMS) -- Silas, a pet-form of the name Silvanus; a Roman citizen and a helper of Paul. Contraction for Silouanos; Silas, a Christian.">Silas</a> <a href="/greek/4336.htm" title="4336: proseuchomenoi (V-PPM/P-NMP) -- To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.">were praying</a> <a href="/greek/5214.htm" title="5214: hymnoun (V-IIA-3P) -- To sing, sing hymns to, praise. From humnos; to hymn, i.e. Sing a religious ode; by implication, to celebrate in song.">and singing hymns</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theon (N-AMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1198.htm" title="1198: desmioi (N-NMP) -- One bound, a prisoner. From desmon; a captive.">other prisoners</a> <a href="/greek/1874.htm" title="1874: epēkroōnto (V-IIM/P-3P) -- To listen to, hear, hearken to. From epi and the base of akroates; to listen to.">were listening</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to them.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">26</span>Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-8.htm">Psalm 42:8</a></span><br />The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-62.htm">Psalm 119:62</a></span><br />At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-13.htm">James 5:13</a></span><br />Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm">Ephesians 5:19-20</a></span><br />Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, / always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a></span><br />Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</a></span><br />Rejoice at all times. / Pray without ceasing. / Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6-7</a></span><br />Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-21.htm">2 Chronicles 20:21-22</a></span><br />Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/2-9.htm">Jonah 2:9</a></span><br />But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-1.htm">Psalm 34:1</a></span><br />Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/146-7.htm">Psalm 146:7-8</a></span><br />He executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free, / the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3-5</a></span><br />Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-4.htm">2 Corinthians 6:4-5</a></span><br />Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; / in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-10.htm">Matthew 5:10-12</a></span><br />Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.</p><p class="hdg">at midnight.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/35-10.htm">Job 35:10</a></b></br> But none saith, Where <i>is</i> God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-2.htm">Psalm 22:2</a></b></br> O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/42-8.htm">Psalm 42:8</a></b></br> <i>Yet</i> the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song <i>shall be</i> with me, <i>and</i> my prayer unto the God of my life.</p><p class="hdg">prayed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Psalm 50:15</a></b></br> And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/77-2.htm">Psalm 77:2</a></b></br> In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/91-15.htm">Psalm 91:15</a></b></br> He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I <i>will be</i> with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.</p><p class="hdg">sang.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/5-41.htm">Acts 5:41</a></b></br> And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/34-1.htm">Psalm 34:1</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise <i>shall</i> continually <i>be</i> in my mouth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-10.htm">Matthew 5:10,11</a></b></br> Blessed <i>are</i> they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… </p><p class="hdg">and the.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12,13</a></b></br> But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, <i>who were</i> ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/71-7.htm">Psalm 71:7</a></b></br> I am as a wonder unto many; but thou <i>art</i> my strong refuge.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/3-8.htm">Zechariah 3:8</a></b></br> Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they <i>are</i> men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/16-14.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-46.htm">Hymns</a> <a href="/acts/14-9.htm">Listening</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Making</a> <a href="/acts/14-14.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/luke/11-5.htm">Midnight</a> <a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Night</a> <a href="/acts/16-22.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/acts/12-23.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/matthew/6-2.htm">Praises</a> <a href="/acts/10-46.htm">Praising</a> <a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/acts/10-4.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/acts/13-3.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/acts/9-21.htm">Prisoners</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Sang</a> <a href="/acts/16-22.htm">Silas</a> <a href="/mark/14-26.htm">Singing</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-10.htm">Songs</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/16-38.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm">Hymns</a> <a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Listening</a> <a href="/acts/18-14.htm">Making</a> <a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/acts/20-7.htm">Midnight</a> <a href="/acts/16-33.htm">Night</a> <a href="/acts/16-28.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/acts/21-20.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/romans/15-11.htm">Praises</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-16.htm">Praising</a> <a href="/acts/20-36.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/acts/16-39.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/acts/22-17.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/acts/16-27.htm">Prisoners</a> <a href="/revelation/5-9.htm">Sang</a> <a href="/acts/16-29.htm">Silas</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm">Singing</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm">Songs</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/16-1.htm">Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/16-7.htm">and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/16-14.htm">convert Lydia,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/16-16.htm">and cast out a spirit of divination;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/16-19.htm">for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/16-25.htm">The prison doors are opened.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/16-31.htm">The jailor is converted,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/16-35.htm">and they are delivered.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical literature, midnight often symbolizes a moment of divine intervention or a turning point (e.g., <a href="/exodus/12-29.htm">Exodus 12:29</a>, the death of the Egyptian firstborn). This setting underscores the miraculous nature of the events that follow.<p><b>Paul and Silas</b><br>Paul and Silas were key figures in the early Christian church, with Paul being an apostle and Silas a leader in the Jerusalem church. Their partnership in ministry is highlighted in <a href="/acts/15-40.htm">Acts 15:40</a>, where they are sent out together on a missionary journey. Their presence in Philippi, a Roman colony, is part of their mission to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.<p><b>were praying and singing hymns to God</b><br>Despite their imprisonment, Paul and Silas engage in prayer and worship, demonstrating their unwavering faith and trust in God. This act of worship in the face of suffering is reminiscent of Job's response to his trials (<a href="/job/1-20.htm">Job 1:20-21</a>). Singing hymns was a common practice in Jewish and early Christian worship, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/5-19.htm">Ephesians 5:19</a> and <a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a>, where believers are encouraged to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.<p><b>and the other prisoners were listening to them</b><br>The presence of other prisoners highlights the communal aspect of the prison setting. The fact that they were listening suggests that Paul and Silas's actions had a profound impact on those around them, potentially softening their hearts to the message of the Gospel. This scenario foreshadows the conversion of the Philippian jailer and his household later in the chapter (<a href="/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30-34</a>), illustrating the power of witness through worship and testimony.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>A former Pharisee and persecutor of Christians, Paul became a devoted apostle of Jesus Christ after his conversion on the road to Damascus. He is a central figure in the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/silas.htm">Silas</a></b><br>A leader in the early church and a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys. He was a prophet and played a significant role in the early Christian community.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/philippi.htm">Philippi</a></b><br>A Roman colony in Macedonia where Paul and Silas were imprisoned. It was the first European city where Paul preached the Gospel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/prison.htm">Prison</a></b><br>Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi after casting a spirit out of a slave girl, which angered her owners. Their imprisonment sets the stage for the miraculous events that follow.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/midnight.htm">Midnight</a></b><br>The time when Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns, symbolizing a period of darkness and trial, yet also a time of spiritual breakthrough.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/j/joy_in_trials.htm">Joy in Trials</a></b><br>Paul and Silas exemplify how believers can find joy and strength in God even during difficult circumstances. Their response to imprisonment challenges us to maintain a posture of worship and trust in God regardless of our situation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/power_of_worship.htm">Power of Worship</a></b><br>Worship has the power to transform our environment and influence those around us. The other prisoners were listening, indicating that our worship can be a testimony to others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithful_witness.htm">Faithful Witness</a></b><br>Our actions and attitudes during trials can serve as a powerful witness to others. Paul and Silas’s faithfulness in adversity led to the conversion of the jailer and his household.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_in_suffering.htm">Community in Suffering</a></b><br>The presence of Paul and Silas together highlights the importance of community and support in times of suffering. We are encouraged to seek and provide support within the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_intervention.htm">Divine Intervention</a></b><br>The subsequent events in <a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm">Acts 16</a> demonstrate that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, often working in unexpected ways to bring about His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/new_testament's_view_on_music.htm">What is the New Testament's view on music?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_divine_intervention_end_imprisonment.htm">Psalm 107:10–16 – Could a literal imprisonment in darkness suddenly end through divine intervention, and if so, where is the historical documentation? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/steadfast_in_faith_despite_trials.htm">Are you steadfast in faith despite trials and deception?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_paul's_macedonia_'conflicts'_recorded.htm">(2 Corinthians 7:5) Are there any historical or archaeological records confirming the exact nature of Paul’s “conflicts” in Macedonia? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25) <span class= "bld">And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">praying, they Were singing hymns, </span>the Greek expressing one act rather than two. The act was, we may believe, habitual, and they would not intermit it even in the dungeon, and fastened as they were, so that they could not kneel. The hymn may have been one of the prayer-psalms of David, or possibly one of those, of which Pliny speaks in his letters, and which may well have been in use half a century earlier, in which men offered adoration to Christ as God (<span class= "ital">Epist.</span> x. 96). The words of Tertullian to the martyrs of his time may well be quoted: <span class= "ital">Nihil crus sentit in nervo quum animus in caelo est; Etsi corpus detinetur, omnia spiritui patent</span>--"The leg feels not the stocks when the mind is in heaven. Though the body is held fast, all things lie open in the spirit" (<span class= "ital">ad Mart.</span> c. 2).<p><span class= "bld">And the prisoners heard them.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">were listening eagerly, </span>the kind of listening which men give to a musical performance. Never before, we may be sure, had those outcasts and criminals heard such sounds in such a place. For the most part those vaults echoed only with wild curses and foul jests.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 25.</span> <span class="accented">- But about</span> for <span class="accented">and at</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">were praying and singing hymns</span> for <span class="accented">prayed and sang praises</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">were listening</span> to(imperfect) for <span class="accented">heard</span>, A.V. <span class="cmt_word">Prayed</span>, etc. Their <span class="accented">proseuche</span> was now the dungeon and the sleeks. But, though they were but two, the Lord was in the midst of them, according to his promise, and manifested his gracious presence in the striking deliverance which follows. <span class="cmt_word">Were listening to them</span>; <span class="greek">ἐπακροάομαι</span>, found only here in the New Testament. But the substantive, <span class="greek">ἐπακρόασις</span>, hearkening ("to hearken," A.V.), occurs in the LXX. of <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>. What a scene I The dark inner dungeon; the prisoners fast in the stocks, their backs still bleeding and smarting from the stripes; the companionship of criminals and outcasts of society; the midnight hour; and not groans, or curses, or complaints, but joyous trustful songs of praise ringing through the vault! while their companions in the jail listened with astonishment to the heavenly sound in that place of shame wad sorrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/16-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">About</span><br /><span class="grk">Κατὰ</span> <span class="translit">(Kata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">midnight,</span><br /><span class="grk">μεσονύκτιον</span> <span class="translit">(mesonyktion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3317.htm">Strong's 3317: </a> </span><span class="str2">Midnight, the middle of the period between sunset and sunrise. Neuter of compound of mesos and nux; midnight.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Paul</span><br /><span class="grk">Παῦλος</span> <span class="translit">(Paulos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3972.htm">Strong's 3972: </a> </span><span class="str2">Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Silas</span><br /><span class="grk">Σιλᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(Silas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4609.htm">Strong's 4609: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silas, a pet-form of the name Silvanus; a Roman citizen and a helper of Paul. Contraction for Silouanos; Silas, a Christian.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were praying</span><br /><span class="grk">προσευχόμενοι</span> <span class="translit">(proseuchomenoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4336.htm">Strong's 4336: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] singing hymns</span><br /><span class="grk">ὕμνουν</span> <span class="translit">(hymnoun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5214.htm">Strong's 5214: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sing, sing hymns to, praise. From humnos; to hymn, i.e. Sing a religious ode; by implication, to celebrate in song.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸν</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God,</span><br /><span class="grk">Θεόν</span> <span class="translit">(Theon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">οἱ</span> <span class="translit">(hoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[other] prisoners</span><br /><span class="grk">δέσμιοι</span> <span class="translit">(desmioi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1198.htm">Strong's 1198: </a> </span><span class="str2">One bound, a prisoner. From desmon; a captive.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were listening</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπηκροῶντο</span> <span class="translit">(epēkroōnto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1874.htm">Strong's 1874: </a> </span><span class="str2">To listen to, hear, hearken to. From epi and the base of akroates; to listen to.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them.</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/16-25.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/16-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 16:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 16:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/16-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 16:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 16:26" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>