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Acts 16

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

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.

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

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

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

What does Acts 16:23 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 16:23 describes part of the events involving the apostle Paul and Silas in the city of Philippi.

They had been spreading the gospel when they encountered a slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination, whom Paul healed.

This act upset the girl's owners, who profited from her fortune-telling, and they dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates.

As a result, Paul and Silas were severely beaten with rods, a punishment known as scourging, and then imprisoned.

The command to the jailer to keep them safely (securely) suggests that the magistrates wanted to ensure that they could not continue their activities or escape before further decisions about their fate were taken.

This verse highlights the harsh treatment of early Christian missionaries and the severity of the opposition they faced. Despite not violating any Roman laws, they were punished without a formal trial, indicating prejudice and injustice present at that time towards the Christian faith.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

At the time of this event, Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia and adhered to Roman laws and customs.

Roman magistrates had the authority to enforce discipline and order, and punishments could be severe.

Scourging was a common punishment that involved being beaten with rods or whips.

It was considered shameful and was intended to inflict significant pain and serve as a deterrent for future offenses.

Paul and Silas's imprisonment followed their confrontation with economic and social disruption caused by their spiritual activities, particularly the incident involving the slave girl.

It reflects how the spread of Christianity clashed with established practices and beliefs, and those with vested interests in the status quo often resisted the new faith.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse sheds light on several important concepts:

Suffering for Faith: Early Christians often faced persecution, and this verse illustrates the suffering that Paul and Silas endured for their faith.
Divine Providence: Some theologians see the subsequent events - including miraculous intervention - as evidence of divine providence operating despite, or through, human injustice.
Power of the Gospel: Despite punishment and imprisonment, Paul and Silas continue their mission, demonstrating the unstoppable power of the Gospel message.

Different Christian traditions can interpret the implications of this passage in diverse ways. For instance, some might emphasize the call to perseverance under trial, while others might focus on the eventual triumph of the Gospel.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse serves as an example of steadfastness in the face of hardship for believers. Modern applications could include:

Endurance: Encouragement for believers to remain faithful even when faced with opposition or suffering.
Justice: A challenge for Christians to ensure they do not perpetuate injustice but instead work towards equitable treatment for all.
Compassion: It can inspire acts of compassion towards those who are unjustly treated, regardless of their beliefs or background.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 11:25 - "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;"
1 Thessalonians 2:2 - "But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention."
1 Peter 2:19-20 - "For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God."

Language Study

"Laid many stripes": The term for "stripes" comes from the Greek word "πληγάς" (plēgas), which means "blows" or "wounds".

This indicates that the beating was severe, to the point of inflicting wounds.

"Cast into prison": The Greek word used here for "cast" is "βάλλω" (ballō), which has a forceful connotation, as in throwing something or someone, suggesting they were not simply escorted to their cell but thrown in.
"Jailor" or "keeper of the prison": The term "δεσμοφύλαξ" (desmophylax), combines "δεσμός" (desmos), meaning "bond" or "chain", and "φύλαξ" (phylax), meaning "guard".

This term emphasizes the keeper's role in securing the prisoners.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this Christian account to other religious traditions, one may find parallels in narratives where followers are persecuted for their beliefs.

In many ancient myths and religions, individuals who went against the societal or religious norms faced severe consequences.

The perseverance of these individuals or deities often becomes a cornerstone of the faith or mythology.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the physical and psychological effects of such beatings can be analyzed.

Modern medicine provides insights into the trauma the body endures from scourging, which can include severe bruising, lacerations, and long-term damage to the muscles and underlying tissue.

commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators have examined Acts 16:23, offering insights into its significance:

John Calvin comments on the severity of the punishment and the injustice, but also notes the fortitude of Paul and Silas in enduring such treatment.
Matthew Henry emphasizes the idea that God allows his servants to be tested and that such trials highlight the wickedness of the world against godliness.
William Barclay suggests the incident highlights the early church's challenge in a world where economic and social practices were threatened by the teachings of Christianity.

Each of these commentators provides a unique angle to the understanding of this verse, from the personal resilience required to endure such hardships, to the broader social implications of the spread of Christianity.

Acts 16

Acts 16

What does Acts 16:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 16:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?