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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 16:36 mean?

Explanation

Acts 16:36 recounts a moment from the early Christian church's history, where Paul and Silas are being released from prison.

The verse signifies the authorities' change of heart, which follows an earthquake that freed Paul and Silas from their bonds (Acts 16:26).

The jailer, who receives the order to release them, communicates the magistrates' decision to Paul, suggesting they leave the prison peacefully.

On a deeper level, this verse highlights issues of justice and divine intervention, as Paul and Silas's imprisonment was without a legal trial, and their release comes after a miraculous event.

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Historical Context

This event takes place in the Roman city of Philippi around the middle of the first century.

Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for casting out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, which caused her owners to lose a source of income and stirred up the town against them.

The treatment of Roman citizens, which Paul and Silas both were, without public trial was illegal according to Roman law.

This verse is part of the larger narrative describing the spread of Christianity and the numerous challenges the early missionaries faced.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Acts 16:36 can be seen as an example of God's providence and sovereignty, where Paul and Silas are vindicated by divine intervention.

The release of the missionaries points to the belief in a God who is actively involved in the fulfillment of His purposes and the care for His people.

It also raises the legal issue of the mistreatment of Roman citizens, which later Paul uses as leverage to assert his and Silas's rights.

Practical Applications

Acts 16:36 can inspire modern readers to consider the importance of justice and the proper legal process. It may encourage believers to trust in God's timing and provision, even in situations that seem dire.

Additionally, it raises the importance of knowing and insisting upon one's rights when faced with unlawful or unjust actions by those in authority.

Cross-References

Acts 16:25-34: The events leading up to the release.
Acts 22:25-29: Paul asserts his rights as a Roman citizen.
Philippians 1:12-14: Paul reflects on his imprisonment contributing to the spread of the gospel.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "keepers of the prison" is δεσμοφύλαξ (desmophylax), meaning jailer or prison guard.

The term used for "magistrates" is στρατηγοί (strategoi), which can refer to military generals but is used here to indicate civic leaders or authorities.

The phrase "depart, and go in peace," uses the Greek word εἰρηνικῶς (eirenically), from which we get 'irenic,' meaning peacefully or in a manner that promotes peace.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The act of imprisonment and subsequent release of key figures is not uncommon in various myths and religious narratives.

For example, in Greco-Roman mythology, gods and heroes are occasionally imprisoned but often escape or are released through divine intervention or heroic deeds.

The idea of being freed from bondage can also be found in Jewish stories, such as when God delivers the Israelites from captivity in Egypt.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the earthquake described in Acts 16:26, which preceded the release of Paul and Silas, would have natural explanations related to tectonic activities.

The timing of such events being seen as divine intervention depends on religious or spiritual beliefs and is not within the realm of scientific proof or disproof.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered interpretations of Acts 16:36.

Some emphasize the miraculous nature of Paul and Silas's release, while others highlight the social and legal implications of their treatment and this outcome.

A common theme is the juxtaposition of human injustice with divine justice and the idea that God can use even negative situations for the advancement of the gospel.

Moreover, commentators often point to the strategic way in which Paul asserts his rights to bring attention to the legality of Christian preaching and to seek an apology from the magistrates, which is detailed in the verses following Acts 16:36.

Acts 16

Acts 16

What does Acts 16:36 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 16:36 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?