Acts 16:27

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

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.

Latin

Expergefactus autem custos carceris, et videns januas apertas carceris, evaginato gladio volebat se interficere, æstimans fugisse vinctos.

Original

Greek

English

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.

Notes

Acts 16:27

The Roman jailer knew he could lose his life if the prisoners he guarded escaped. This was a common practice (12:19; 27:42; compare Code of Justinian 9.4.4).

Acts 16:27–36

Luke’s third story in Philippi is of the Philippian jailer who, shaken by what had happened, responded in faith when challenged to accept the Lord Jesus and be saved. He was baptized with his household and rejoiced in his newfound faith as he reached out with hospitality to the preachers.

Acts 16:13–36

Luke shares stories of three people in Philippi affected by the gospel:

a wealthy woman (16:14–15),
a demon-possessed slave girl exploited for money (16:16–21), and
a middle-ranking officer (16:23–36).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Philippi

Events

Related verses

Acts 12:19
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.
Judges 9:54
He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.
Matthew 27:5
So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
1 Samuel 31:4–5
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.
1 Kings 16:18
When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he entered the citadel of the royal palace and burned it down upon himself. So he died
2 Samuel 17:23
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
Acts 16:23–24
And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Family Life and Relations Lydia (Person) Macedonia Magistrate Paul the Apostle Philippi Silas Thyatira Travel

Topics

Christian Minister: Persecution: Paul Converts: Jailer Cowardice: The Philippian Jailer Criminals: Confined in Prisons Family: Religion of The God: Preserver: Paul and Silas Jailer (Jailor) of Philippi, Converted Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison with Silas Philippi: Paul Preaches In Prisoners: Paul Prisoners: Silas Prisons: Keepers of Responsible for the Prisoners Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison Silas: Imprisoned with Paul in Philippi Suicide of the Philippian Jailer The Sword was Used: Sometimes for Self-Destruction

Acts 16:27

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Related verses?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics