Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible 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. NASB 1995 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. NASB 1977 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. Legacy Standard Bible 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. Amplified Bible 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. Berean Annotated Bible 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. Christian Standard Bible 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. Holman Christian Standard Bible 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. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version 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. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation 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. Good News Translation 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. International Standard Version 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. NET Bible 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. New Heart English Bible 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. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen 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. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand 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, Berean Literal Bible 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. Young's Literal Translation 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, Smith's Literal Translation 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. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd 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. Catholic Public Domain Version 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. New American Bible 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. New Revised Standard Version 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen 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. Aramaic Bible in Plain English 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. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd 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. Godbey New Testament 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. Haweis New Testament 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. Mace New Testament the jayler waking, and seeing the prison-doors open, drew his sword, designing to dispatch himself from the apprehension that the prisoners had escaped. Weymouth New Testament 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. Worrell New Testament 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. Worsley New Testament The jailor waking, and seeing the prison-doors open, drew his sword and was going to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners were fled. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Conversion of the Jailer…26Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. 27When 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. 28But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”… Cross References When the jailer woke up Judges 16:20 Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. Jonah 1:6 The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish.” Acts 12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. and saw the prison doors open, Acts 5:19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying, Acts 12:10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened for them by itself. When they had gone outside and walked the length of one block, the angel suddenly left him. Psalm 107:16 For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. he drew his sword John 18:10 Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Joshua 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” Numbers 22:23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam beat her to return her to the path. and was about to kill himself, 1 Samuel 31:4 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. 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. Matthew 27:5 So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. presuming that the prisoners had escaped. 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. Acts 5:23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 1 Kings 20:39-42 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.” / Then the prophet quickly removed the bandage from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets. … Acts 27:42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom. Treasury of Scripture 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. Acts 16:23,24 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: … he drew. Judges 9:54 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. 1 Samuel 31:4,5 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… 2 Samuel 17:23 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. Jump to Previous Awakened Awaking Awoke Death Doors Drawn Drew Escaped Fearing Fled Jail Jailer Keeper Kill Killed Killing Open Opened Point Prison Prisoners Roused Sleep Starting Supposing Sword Thought Wide WokeJump to Next Awakened Awaking Awoke Death Doors Drawn Drew Escaped Fearing Fled Jail Jailer Keeper Kill Killed Killing Open Opened Point Prison Prisoners Roused Sleep Starting Supposing Sword Thought Wide WokeActs 16 1. Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,7. and being called by the Spirit from one country to another, 14. convert Lydia, 16. and cast out a spirit of divination; 19. for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned. 25. The prison doors are opened. 31. The jailor is converted, 35. and they are delivered. 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 (Acts 16:25). and saw the prison doors open he drew his sword and was about to kill himself presuming that the prisoners had escaped Persons / Places / Events 1. The JailerA Roman official responsible for overseeing the prison in Philippi. His role was crucial, as he was accountable for the prisoners' security. 2. Paul and Silas Two apostles imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. Their faith and actions play a pivotal role in the events that unfold. 3. Philippi A Roman colony in Macedonia, significant for its strategic location and as a center of early Christian activity. 4. The Earthquake A divine intervention that caused the prison doors to open, setting the stage for the jailer's encounter with Paul and Silas. 5. The Prisoners Other inmates who were present during the miraculous event, witnessing the power of God through Paul and Silas. Teaching Points Divine InterventionGod 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. Despair and Hope The jailer's initial reaction of despair shows the hopelessness without Christ. His transformation illustrates the hope found in Jesus. Responsibility and Accountability 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. The Power of Witness Paul and Silas's faith and worship in prison serve as a powerful testimony to those around them, leading to the jailer's conversion. Salvation and Household The jailer's conversion leads to the salvation of his entire household, demonstrating the ripple effect of one person's faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 16:27?2. How does Acts 16:27 illustrate the importance of faith in desperate situations? 3. What can we learn about God's intervention from the jailer's experience in Acts 16:27? 4. How does Acts 16:27 connect with God's deliverance in Psalm 34:17? 5. How can we apply the jailer's response to our own crises today? 6. What role does divine timing play in the events of Acts 16:27? 7. Why did the jailer consider suicide in Acts 16:27? 8. How does Acts 16:27 reflect on the value of life? 9. What does Acts 16:27 reveal about Roman prison conditions? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 16? 11. 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? 12. What were the key events of Paul's second missionary journey? 13. In Acts 16:31-34, does the jailer's entire household receiving salvation contradict the principle of individual accountability taught elsewhere in Scripture? 14. In Acts 27:42-44, would a Roman centurion realistically risk severe punishment by sparing prisoners instead of killing them to prevent escape? What Does Acts 16:27 Mean When the jailer woke up• It is past midnight (Acts 16:25–26). An earthquake has shaken the foundations, yet the jailer had been asleep—oblivious to the worship and wonder happening right under his roof. • Scripture often pairs physical sleep with spiritual unawareness. Just as Jesus told His disciples in Gethsemane, “Keep watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41), the jailer illustrates how quickly crisis can rouse a person to eternal realities. • The scene proves the literal power of God to interrupt human routine. Like Elijah awakening Israel at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:37–39), the Lord now jolts this man from slumber so he can meet salvation. And saw the prison doors open • What his eyes behold is unmistakable: every door stands wide. This is an echo of Peter’s earlier deliverance—“the iron gate leading into the city opened for them by itself” (Acts 12:10). • An open door in Scripture often signals divine opportunity (Revelation 3:8). Here, God is not merely freeing apostles; He is opening the heart of a pagan jailer (Acts 16:14 parallels Lydia’s story). • No lock or chain can resist the Lord (Psalm 107:14). The physical sight of open doors prepares the jailer to embrace the spiritual door of salvation (John 10:9). He drew his sword • As a Roman servant of the state, he carried the “sword” granted to civil authorities (Romans 13:4). The weapon intended to enforce order now threatens its bearer. • His reflex shows how fear—rather than faith—rules a heart apart from Christ (Luke 21:26). While Paul and Silas reacted to the earthquake with praise, the jailer responds with panic. • The contrast signals the difference between those who know the living God and those who do not (2 Timothy 1:7). And was about to kill himself • Roman law held guards personally liable; failure meant execution (compare Acts 12:19, where Herod kills the soldiers after Peter’s escape). Facing shame and torture, the jailer chooses suicide. • Scripture consistently upholds the sanctity of life; self-harm never aligns with God’s will (Genesis 9:5–6; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). His despair underscores humanity’s need for a Savior who conquers both external chains and internal hopelessness (Hebrews 2:14–15). • The moment also highlights the urgency of divine intervention. Just as the angel stopped Abraham’s knife over Isaac (Genesis 22:10–12), Paul’s shout in the next verse will halt the jailer’s fatal act. Presuming that the prisoners had escaped • He makes a natural assumption: open doors mean empty cells. Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” • His presumption ignores God’s unseen work. Miraculously, every prisoner remains (Acts 16:28). The same power that flung doors wide held hearts steady, demonstrating that freedom in Christ is not lawless but ordered by love (Galatians 5:13). • The jailer’s false conclusion sets the stage for true revelation: instead of losing prisoners, he will gain eternal life (Acts 16:30–34). Summary Acts 16:27 records the split-second when a hardened official awakens to disaster, leaps to the wrong conclusion, and stands on the brink of self-destruction. God uses an earthquake, open doors, and imminent suicide to expose the emptiness of human security and the futility of fear. The scene prepares both the jailer and the reader to witness how the gospel turns death into life, despair into joy, and a prison into a house of worship—proving once more that our sovereign Lord “opens and no one will shut” (Revelation 3:7). (27) He drew out his sword, and would have killed himself.--We have seen in Acts 12:19 what was to be expected by a gaoler who, under any circumstances, allowed a prisoner to escape. (See also Note on Acts 27:42.) 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.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. Acts 27:43).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek [When]δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: 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 Strong's 1200: A keeper of a prison, a jailer. From desmon and phulax; a jailer. woke up Ἔξυπνος (Exypnos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1853: Roused out of sleep. From ek and hupnos; awake. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. saw ἰδὼν (idōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3708: 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 Strong's 3588: 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 Strong's 5438: 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 Strong's 2374: (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 Strong's 455: To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. he drew σπασάμενος (spasamenos) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4685: To draw (as a sword), pull. A primary verb; to draw. his τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: 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 Strong's 3162: 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 Strong's 3195: 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 Strong's 337: 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 Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. presuming that νομίζων (nomizōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3543: From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: 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 Strong's 1198: One bound, a prisoner. From desmon; a captive. had escaped. ἐκπεφευγέναι (ekpepheugenai) Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active Strong's 1628: To flee out, away, escape; with an acc: I escape something. From ek and pheugo; to flee out. Links Acts 16:27 NIVActs 16:27 NLT Acts 16:27 ESV Acts 16:27 NASB Acts 16:27 KJV Acts 16:27 BibleApps.com Acts 16:27 Biblia Paralela Acts 16:27 Chinese Bible Acts 16:27 French Bible Acts 16:27 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 16:27 The jailer being roused out of sleep (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
    |