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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 16:25-34

We have here the designs of the persecutors of Paul and Silas baffled and broken. I. The persecutors designed to dishearten and discourage the preachers of the gospel, and to make them sick of the cause and weary of their work; but here we find them both hearty and heartened. 1. They were themselves hearty, wonderfully hearty; never were poor prisoners so truly cheerful, nor so far from laying their hard usage to heart. Let us consider what their case was. The praetors among the Romans had... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 16:25-40

16:25-40 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately the doors were opened and everyone's bonds were loosed. When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open he drew his sword and he was going to kill himself, for he thought that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted to him, "Do yourself no harm, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed , When others were asleep, and all things were still and quiet; See Gill on Psalm 119:62 , and they prayed doubtless for themselves, for their deliverance in God's time and way, and for support under their present afflictions; and for supplies of grace, to enable them to bear with patience and cheerfulness, until an issue was put to them; and for their enemies, and, particularly it may be for the jailer, who had used them so ill; and for the churches... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:26

And suddenly there was a great earthquake ,.... An extraordinary and unusual one; which did not arise from natural causes, from wind being pent up in the earth, but from the prayers and praises of the saints, going up to heaven; when God was pleased to testify his presence and power this way; and the effects which followed upon this earthquake, show it to be a supernatural one: so that the foundations of the prison were shaken ; not the roof and walls only, as is common in earthquakes,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:27

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep ,.... Not so much by the loud voices of Paul and Silas, as by the uncommon motion of the earth, which so shook him, as thoroughly to awake him: and seeing the prison doors open ; which was the first thing in his fright he was looking after, and careful of, and which he might perceive, though it was midnight, and though as yet he had no light: he drew out his sword ; from its scabbard, which was girt about him; for it may be he had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:28

But Paul cried with a loud voice ,.... Knowing by divine revelation, what the jailer was about to do; though being in the innermost prison, in a dark dungeon, he could not see him, unless it can be thought, that the opening of the doors had let in light sufficient; and it may be also, that he knew in the same way, what designs of grace God had towards this man and his family: saying, do thyself no harm ; which is an instance of great tenderness, humanity, and love, to one that had used... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:29

Then he called for a light ,.... Or "lights"; he ordered his servants to bring in some candles; the Syriac version renders it, "he lighted a light for himself"; and the Ethiopic version, "he brought a light": whilst he was under the influence of Satan, and going about a work of darkness, namely, to destroy himself, he was in no concern for a light; but when he was delivered from the temptation and snare, he calls for light: and sprang in ; leaped in at once, in all haste, into the inner... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:30

And brought them out ,.... Of the inner prison, to some part of the prison that was more free and open: and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? he treats them with great reverence now, and addresses them under a title and character of honour and respect; whom but a few hours ago he despised and abhorred, and perhaps knew no name bad enough for them; he now saw himself lost and perishing, and wanted their instructions, advice, and assistance; and as most persons under first awakenings... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:31

And they said, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ,.... Not with a bare historical faith, as only to believe that he was the Son of God, and the Messiah, and that he was come in the flesh, and had suffered, and died, and rose again, and was now in heaven at the right hand of God, and would come again to judge both quick and dead, for there may be such a faith and no salvation; but so as to look unto him alone for life and salvation, to rely upon him, and trust in him; to commit himself, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:32

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord ,.... That is, the Gospel; which comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, as the author of it; and is concerning him, as the subject matter of it, and is what was preached by himself when on earth; this is the word, which is called the word of salvation, the word of reconciliation and peace, the word of life, the word of righteousness, and the word of faith; because it publishes salvation by Christ, peace and reconciliation by his blood, life by his... read more

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