Acts 16:29

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

Acts 16:29 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
English Standard Version (ESV)
29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
New Living Translation (NLT)
29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
The Message Bible (MSG)
29 The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas.
American Standard Version (ASV)
29 And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
29 The jailer asked for torches and rushed into the jail. He was trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
29 Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
29 The jailer called out for some lights. He rushed in, shaking with fear. He fell down in front of Paul and Silas.

Acts 16:29 Meaning and 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 prison:

and came trembling;
not as before, because of the prisoners and their escape; nor merely or so much on account of the earthquake, though the terror of that might not be as yet over; but chiefly through the horror of his conscience, and the dreadful sense he had of himself as a sinner, and of his lost state and condition by nature; the law had entered into his conscience, and had worked wrath there; the Spirit of God had convinced him of his sin and misery, and there was a fearful looking for of fiery indignation in him:

and fell down before Paul and Silas;
not in a way of religious adoration, for they would never have admitted that; but in token of civil respect unto them, and of his great veneration for them, as was the manner of the eastern people; the Syriac version renders it, "he fell down at their feet", and so in Velesius's readings; at those feet, which he had before made fast in the stocks: a strange change and sudden alteration this! what is it that almighty power and efficacious grace cannot do?

Acts 16:29 In-Context

27 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.
28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Cross References 1

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