Acts 16:24

24 Having received such an order, {he} put them in the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Acts 16:24 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 16:24

Who having received such a charge
So strict an one from the magistrates, was doubly careful and diligent: thrust them into the inner prison:
the innermost part of it, the lowest or furthest part of the prison; so that there were the more doors, bolts, and bars, to break open, and pass through, should they attempt to make their escape: and made their feet fast in the stocks;
or "wood", a wooden machine, in which the feet of prisoners were put for security, and which we call "the stocks"; some say it was such an one, in which the neck as well as the feet were put, and so might be the same with our "pillory".

Acts 16:24 In-Context

22 And the crowd joined in attacking them, and the chief magistrates tore off their clothing [and] gave orders to beat [them] with rods.

23 And [after they] had inflicted many blows on them, they threw [them] into prison, giving orders to the jailer to guard them securely.

24 Having received such an order, {he} put them in the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 Now about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying [and] singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds were unfastened.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "who"
• [b] Or possibly "to the [block] of wood," referring to a log to which the prisoners were chained or tied