Acts 16:35-40 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 16:35-40

In these verses we have, I. Orders sent for the discharge of Paul and Silas out of prison Acts 16:35, 36. 1. The magistrates that had so basely abused them the day before gave the orders; and their doing it so early, as soon as it was day, intimates that either they were sensible the terrific earthquake they felt at midnight was intended to plead the cause of their prisoners, or their consciences had smitten them for what they had done and made them very uneasy. While the persecuted were... 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 16:35

And when it was day ,.... In one copy Beza says, these words are added, "the magistrates came together in one place in the court, and remembering the earthquake that was made, they were afraid, and sent the sergeants;' but they seem to be no other than a gloss, which crept into the text; however, it seems reasonable to suppose, that in the morning the magistrates met together, to consider what was further to be done with Paul and Silas; when upon cooler thoughts, they judged it best to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:36

And the keeper of the prison told this, saying to Paul ,.... The Ethiopic version adds, "and to Silas"; this was the same person with the jailer, whom Paul had baptized; and indeed, the same word is here used, though a little differently rendered, who no doubt reported this message to Paul with great joy: the magistrates have sent to let you go ; they have sent an order to let you out of prison: now therefore depart, and go in peace; which expresses the jailer's pleasure of mind, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:37

But Paul said unto them ,.... The sergeants, who were present when the jailer reported to Paul the message they came with from the magistrates; though the Syriac version reads in the singular number, "Paul said to him", to the jailer: they have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison ; what the magistrates ordered to be done to them, is reckoned all one as if they had done it themselves; and which was done "openly", before all the people, in the most... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:38

And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates ,.... They returned to them, and acquainted them with what the prisoners said: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans ; they were not concerned for the injury they had done them; nor for the injustice and cruelty they had been guilty of; nor did they fear the wrath of God, and a future judgment; but they were put into a panic, when they found the men they had so ill used were Romans; lest they should be called to an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:39

And they came ,.... To the prison in person, as Paul had insisted on they should: and besought them ; that they would put up the injury that had been done them, and quietly depart out of prison: and brought them out ; that is, out of prison; took them by the arms, and led them out, as they had put them in, which was what the apostle required: and desired them to depart out of the city ; lest there should be any further disturbance about them: in Beza's most ancient copy, and in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:40

And they went out of the prison ,.... In a public manner, with great honour and reputation, at the request of the magistrates that put them there: and entered into the house of Lydia; whom Paul had baptized, Acts 16:14 . The word "house" is rightly supplied, for the sense is not, that they went into the country of Lydia, as some have been tempted to think; but they went to the woman Lydia, whose heart the Lord had opened, and was become a disciple and follower of Christ; they went to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:35

And the magistrates sent the sergeants - The original word, ῥαβδουχους , means the lictors, persons who carried before the consul the fasces, which was a hatchet, round the handle of which was a bundle of rods tied. Why the magistrates should have sent an order to dismiss the apostles, whom they had so barbarously used the preceding evening, we cannot tell, unless we receive the reading of the Codex Bezae as genuine, viz. Ἡμερας δε γενομενης, συνηλθον οἱ Ϛρατηγοι επι το αυτο εις την... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:37

They have beaten us openly - being Romans - St. Paul well knew the Roman laws; and on their violation by the magistrates he pleads. The Valerian law forbade any Roman citizen to be bound. The Porcian law forbade any to be beaten with rods. " Poreia lex virgas ab omnium civium Romanorum corpore amovit ." And by the same law the liberty of a Roman citizen was never put in the power of the lictor. " Porcia lex libertatem civium lictori eripuit ." See Cicero, Orat. pro Rabirio. Hence, as the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 16:35-40

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:37

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:35

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:37

Group of Brands