Acts 16:36

36 The jailer reported this order to Paul by saying, "The officials have sent word to release you. So you can leave peacefully now."

Acts 16:36 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 16:36

And the keeper of the prison told this, saying to Paul,
&c.] 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 joy of heart, in executing his orders; and his sincere and hearty wishes for peace and prosperity to go along with them wherever they went, who had been instrumental of so much good to him and his family.

Acts 16:36 In-Context

34 He took Paul and Silas upstairs into his home and gave them something to eat. He and his family were thrilled to be believers in God.

35 In the morning the Roman officials sent guards who told the jailer, "You can release those men now."

36 The jailer reported this order to Paul by saying, "The officials have sent word to release you. So you can leave peacefully now."

37 But Paul told the guards, "Roman officials have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us in jail, even though we're Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? There's no way they're going to get away with that! Have them escort us out!"

38 The guards reported to the officials what Paul had said. When the Roman officials heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were afraid.