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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 16:27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/16-27.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/44_Act_16_27.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 16:27 - The Conversion of the Jailer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/16-27.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/16-27.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 27</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/16-26.htm" title="Acts 16:26">◄</a> Acts 16:27 <a href="/acts/16-28.htm" title="Acts 16:28">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/16.htm">New International Version</a> The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/nlt/acts/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. <a href="/esv/acts/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/blb/acts/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the jailer having been awoken and having seen the doors of the prison open, having drawn his sword was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have escaped. <a href="/kjv/acts/16.htm">King James Bible</a> And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. <a href="/nkjv/acts/16.htm">New King James Version</a> And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. <a href="/nasb_/acts/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/nasb/acts/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/nasb77/acts/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And when the jailer had been roused out of sleep and had seen the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/lsb/acts/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And when the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/amp/acts/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When the jailer, shaken out of sleep, saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/csb/acts/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/hcsb/acts/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/asv/acts/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/cev/acts/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When the jailer woke up and saw that the doors were open, he thought that the prisoners had escaped. He pulled out his sword and was about to kill himself. <a href="/erv/acts/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the jailor being roused out of sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/gwt/acts/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open. Thinking the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself. <a href="/gnt/acts/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he thought that the prisoners had escaped; so he pulled out his sword and was about to kill himself. <a href="/isv/acts/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/msb/acts/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/net/acts/16.htm">NET Bible</a> When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he assumed the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/nheb/acts/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/wbt/acts/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. <a href="/wey/acts/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of the jail wide open, the jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/web/acts/16.htm">World English Bible</a> The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the jailor having come out of sleep, and having seen the doors of the prison open, having drawn a sword, was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have fled, <a href="/blb/acts/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the jailer having been awoken and having seen the doors of the prison open, having drawn his sword was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have escaped. <a href="/ylt/acts/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the jailor having come out of sleep, and having seen the doors of the prison open, having drawn a sword, was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to be fled, <a href="/slt/acts/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the jailor being awakened, and having seen the doors of the prison opened, having drawn a sword, was about to kill himself, supposing the imprisoned to have fled.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the keeper of the prison, awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing his sword, would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. <a href="/cpdv/acts/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. <a href="/nabre/acts/16.htm">New American Bible</a> When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew [his] sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When the keeper of the prison awoke, and saw that the prison doors were open, he took a sword and would have killed himself, for he thought the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And when the Keeper of the prison was awakened and he saw that the doors of the prison were open, he took a sword and sought to kill himself because he thought that the prisoners had escaped.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And the jailer, being aroused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. <a href="/godbey/acts/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And the jailer, being awakened, and seeing the doors of the prison open, seizing a sword, was about to kill himself, thinking that his prisoners had escaped. <a href="/haweis/acts/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then the jailor being roused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, going to destroy himself, supposing the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/mace/acts/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a> the jayler waking, and seeing the prison-doors open, drew his sword, designing to dispatch himself from the apprehension that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/wey/acts/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of the jail wide open, the jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. <a href="/worrell/acts/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And the jailer, being aroused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing a sword, was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. <a href="/worsley/acts/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> The jailor waking, and seeing the prison-doors open, drew his sword and was going to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners were fled. <a href="/parallel/acts/16-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5432" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm">The Conversion of the Jailer</a> …26Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. 27<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">When</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- 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/1200.htm" title="1200: desmophylax (N-NMS) -- A keeper of a prison, a jailer. From desmon and phulax; a jailer.">jailer</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genomenos (V-APM-NMS) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude."></a> <a href="/greek/1853.htm" title="1853: Exypnos (Adj-NMS) -- Roused out of sleep. From ek and hupnos; awake.">woke up</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: idōn (V-APA-NMS) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">saw</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- 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/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5438.htm" title="5438: phylakēs (N-GFS) -- From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively.">prison</a> <a href="/greek/2374.htm" title="2374: thyras (N-AFP) -- (a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance.">doors</a> <a href="/greek/455.htm" title="455: aneōgmenas (V-RPM/P-AFP) -- To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.">open,</a> <a href="/greek/4685.htm" title="4685: spasamenos (V-APM-NMS) -- To draw (as a sword), pull. A primary verb; to draw.">he drew</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3162.htm" title="3162: machairan (N-AFS) -- A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.">sword</a> <a href="/greek/3195.htm" title="3195: ēmellen (V-IIA-3S) -- A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.">and was about</a> <a href="/greek/337.htm" title="337: anairein (V-PNA) -- From ana and haireomai; to take up, i.e. Adopt; by implication, to take away, i.e. Abolish, murder.">to kill</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heauton (RefPro-AM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">himself,</a> <a href="/greek/3543.htm" title="3543: nomizōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard.">presuming that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- 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: desmious (N-AMP) -- One bound, a prisoner. From desmon; a captive.">prisoners</a> <a href="/greek/1628.htm" title="1628: ekpepheugenai (V-RNA) -- To flee out, away, escape; with an acc: I escape something. From ek and pheugo; to flee out.">had escaped.</a> 28But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/12-19.htm">Acts 12:19</a> After Herod had searched for him unsuccessfully, he examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent some time there. <a href="/matthew/27-5.htm">Matthew 27:5</a> So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. <a href="/1_kings/20-39.htm">1 Kings 20:39-40</a> As the king passed by, he cried out to the king: “Your servant had marched out into the middle of the battle, when suddenly a man came over with a captive and told me, ‘Guard this man! If he goes missing for any reason, your life will be exchanged for his life, or you will weigh out a talent of silver.’ / But while your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you have pronounced it on yourself.” <a href="/acts/5-19.htm">Acts 5:19-23</a> But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying, / “Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.” / At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. ... <a href="/acts/27-42.htm">Acts 27:42</a> The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom. <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4-5</a> Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him. <a href="/1_kings/2-25.htm">1 Kings 2:25</a> So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died. <a href="/1_kings/2-34.htm">1 Kings 2:34</a> So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness. <a href="/1_kings/2-46.htm">1 Kings 2:46</a> Then the king commanded Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was firmly established in the hand of Solomon. <a href="/2_kings/10-24.htm">2 Kings 10:24</a> And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and warned them, “If anyone allows one of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape, he will forfeit his life for theirs.” <a href="/2_kings/11-8.htm">2 Kings 11:8</a> You must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who approaches the ranks must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.” <a href="/2_kings/11-15.htm">2 Kings 11:15</a> And Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.” <a href="/2_kings/11-20.htm">2 Kings 11:20</a> and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword at the royal palace. <a href="/2_chronicles/23-14.htm">2 Chronicles 23:14</a> And Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, saying, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD.” <a href="/2_chronicles/23-21.htm">2 Chronicles 23:21</a> and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been put to the sword.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.the keeper.<a href="/acts/16-23.htm">Acts 16:23,24</a> And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: … he drew.<a href="/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54</a> Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.<a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4,5</a> Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it… <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">2 Samuel 17:23</a> And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/4-1.htm">Awakened</a> <a href="/luke/8-24.htm">Awaking</a> <a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Awoke</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Death</a> <a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/acts/11-10.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/john/10-39.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/acts/13-26.htm">Fearing</a> <a href="/acts/14-6.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/acts/16-23.htm">Jail</a> <a href="/acts/16-23.htm">Jailer</a> <a href="/acts/16-23.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/acts/11-7.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Killing</a> <a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Open</a> <a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/acts/12-6.htm">Point</a> <a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Prisoners</a> <a href="/acts/6-12.htm">Roused</a> <a href="/acts/13-36.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/acts/10-37.htm">Starting</a> <a href="/acts/14-19.htm">Supposing</a> <a href="/acts/12-2.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/acts/15-38.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/acts/7-56.htm">Wide</a> <a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Woke</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/28-16.htm">Awakened</a> <a href="/genesis/9-24.htm">Awaking</a> <a href="/genesis/9-24.htm">Awoke</a> <a href="/acts/17-3.htm">Death</a> <a href="/acts/21-30.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-10.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/acts/26-26.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/acts/23-10.htm">Fearing</a> <a href="/acts/19-16.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/genesis/39-20.htm">Jail</a> <a href="/acts/16-29.htm">Jailer</a> <a href="/acts/16-36.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/acts/21-31.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/acts/22-20.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/acts/22-20.htm">Killing</a> <a href="/acts/18-14.htm">Open</a> <a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/acts/19-21.htm">Point</a> <a href="/acts/16-30.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/acts/22-5.htm">Prisoners</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-16.htm">Roused</a> <a href="/acts/20-9.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/acts/23-23.htm">Starting</a> <a href="/acts/21-29.htm">Supposing</a> <a href="/romans/8-35.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-9.htm">Wide</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Woke</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 16</div>1. <a href="/acts/16-1.htm">Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,</a> 7. <a href="/acts/16-7.htm">and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,</a> 14. <a href="/acts/16-14.htm">convert Lydia,</a> 16. <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">and cast out a spirit of divination;</a> 19. <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.</a> 25. <a href="/acts/16-25.htm">The prison doors are opened.</a> 31. <a href="/acts/16-31.htm">The jailor is converted,</a> 35. <a href="/acts/16-35.htm">and they are delivered.</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When the jailer woke up The jailer was likely a Roman guard responsible for the security of the prisoners. Roman law held jailers accountable for their prisoners, often with their own lives. The fact that he was asleep suggests it was nighttime, aligning with the context of Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns at midnight (<a href="/acts/16-25.htm">Acts 16:25</a>).and saw the prison doors open The open doors were a result of the earthquake sent by God (<a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Acts 16:26</a>). In the ancient world, earthquakes were often seen as acts of divine intervention. The open doors symbolize freedom and divine deliverance, reminiscent of Peter's miraculous escape from prison in <a href="/acts/12-7.htm">Acts 12:7-10</a>.he drew his sword The sword was a common weapon for Roman soldiers and guards. The act of drawing his sword indicates the jailer's immediate response to a perceived crisis. In Roman culture, honor was highly valued, and failing in one's duty could lead to severe consequences.and was about to kill himself Suicide was considered an honorable way to avoid disgrace in Roman society. The jailer likely feared the punishment for allowing prisoners to escape, which could include execution. This reflects the severe accountability Roman guards faced, as seen in <a href="/acts/12-19.htm">Acts 12:19</a>, where Herod executed the guards after Peter's escape.presuming that the prisoners had escaped The assumption that the prisoners had escaped was logical given the circumstances. However, Paul and Silas, along with the other prisoners, remained, demonstrating their integrity and the power of their witness. This moment sets the stage for the jailer's conversion, highlighting themes of salvation and divine providence.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_jailer.htm">The Jailer</a> A Roman official responsible for overseeing the prison in Philippi. His role was crucial, as he was accountable for the prisoners' security. 2. <a href="/topical/p/paul_and_silas.htm">Paul and Silas</a> Two apostles imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. Their faith and actions play a pivotal role in the events that unfold. 3. <a href="/topical/p/philippi.htm">Philippi</a> A Roman colony in Macedonia, significant for its strategic location and as a center of early Christian activity. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_earthquake.htm">The Earthquake</a> A divine intervention that caused the prison doors to open, setting the stage for the jailer's encounter with Paul and Silas. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_prisoners.htm">The Prisoners</a> Other inmates who were present during the miraculous event, witnessing the power of God through Paul and Silas.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_intervention.htm">Divine Intervention</a> God can use extraordinary means to accomplish His purposes. The earthquake was not just a natural event but a divine act to open the jailer's heart. <a href="/topical/d/despair_and_hope.htm">Despair and Hope</a> The jailer's initial reaction of despair shows the hopelessness without Christ. His transformation illustrates the hope found in Jesus. <a href="/topical/r/responsibility_and_accountability.htm">Responsibility and Accountability</a> The jailer's willingness to take his own life reflects the severe consequences of failing in his duties. It reminds us of the weight of responsibility and the need for integrity. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_witness.htm">The Power of Witness</a> Paul and Silas's faith and worship in prison serve as a powerful testimony to those around them, leading to the jailer's conversion. <a href="/topical/s/salvation_and_household.htm">Salvation and Household</a> The jailer's conversion leads to the salvation of his entire household, demonstrating the ripple effect of one person's faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 16</a> <a href="/q/how_did_the_quake_free_prisoners_unharmed.htm">In Acts 16:22–26, how could an earthquake open all the prison doors and unfasten everyone’s chains without inflicting any apparent damage or injury?</a> <a href="/q/key_events_of_paul's_2nd_journey.htm">What were the key events of Paul's second missionary journey?</a> <a href="/q/does_acts_16_31-34_contradict_individual_accountability.htm">In Acts 16:31-34, does the jailer's entire household receiving salvation contradict the principle of individual accountability taught elsewhere in Scripture?</a> <a href="/q/would_a_centurion_risk_punishment_to_spare_prisoners.htm">In Acts 27:42-44, would a Roman centurion realistically risk severe punishment by sparing prisoners instead of killing them to prevent escape?</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>(27) He drew out his sword, and would have killed himself.--We have seen in <a href="/acts/12-19.htm" title="And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there stayed.">Acts 12:19</a> what was to be expected by a gaoler who, under any circumstances, allowed a prisoner to escape. (See also Note on <a href="/acts/27-42.htm" title="And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.">Acts 27:42</a>.) Here the man sought to anticipate his fate. Suicide was a natural resource under such conditions everywhere, but here there was a local predisposing influence. Philippi, after the great battle in which Brutus and Cassius had been defeated by Antonius, had been conspicuous for the number of those who had thus preferred death to the abandonment of the Republic and the loss of freedom. This act had been looked on as heroic (Plutarch, Brutus, c. 52), and was naturally enough contagious.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 27. - The jailor being roused for the keeper of the prison awaking, A.V.; sleep for his sleep, A.V.; drew for he drew out, A.V.; was about to kill for would have killed, A.V.; escaped for been fled, A.V. This readiness to kill himself rather than incur the disgrace of failure in his charge is characteristic of the Roman soldier (comp. <a href="/acts/27-43.htm">Acts 27:43</a>). <a href="/commentaries/acts/16-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[When] δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. jailer δεσμοφύλαξ (desmophylax) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1200.htm">Strong's 1200: </a> A keeper of a prison, a jailer. From desmon and phulax; a jailer. woke up Ἔξυπνος (Exypnos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1853.htm">Strong's 1853: </a> Roused out of sleep. From ek and hupnos; awake. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. saw ἰδὼν (idōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. the τὰς (tas) Article - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. prison φυλακῆς (phylakēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5438.htm">Strong's 5438: </a> From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively. doors θύρας (thyras) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2374.htm">Strong's 2374: </a> (a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. Apparently a primary word; a portal or entrance. open, ἀνεῳγμένας (aneōgmenas) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_455.htm">Strong's 455: </a> To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. he drew σπασάμενος (spasamenos) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4685.htm">Strong's 4685: </a> To draw (as a sword), pull. A primary verb; to draw. his τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sword μάχαιραν (machairan) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment. [and] was about ἤμελλεν (ēmellen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3195.htm">Strong's 3195: </a> A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something. to kill ἀναιρεῖν (anairein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_337.htm">Strong's 337: </a> From ana and haireomai; to take up, i.e. Adopt; by implication, to take away, i.e. Abolish, murder. himself, ἑαυτὸν (heauton) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. presuming that νομίζων (nomizōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3543.htm">Strong's 3543: </a> From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. prisoners δεσμίους (desmious) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1198.htm">Strong's 1198: </a> One bound, a prisoner. From desmon; a captive. had escaped. ἐκπεφευγέναι (ekpepheugenai) Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1628.htm">Strong's 1628: </a> To flee out, away, escape; with an acc: I escape something. From ek and pheugo; to flee out. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/16-27.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 16:27 The jailer being roused out of sleep (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/16-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 16:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 16:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/16-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 16:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 16:28" /></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>