Acts 16:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

NIV: But Paul shouted, 'Don't harm yourself! We are all here!'

NASB: But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!'

CSB: But Paul called out in a loud voice, "Don't harm yourself, because we're all here! "

NLT: But Paul shouted to him, 'Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!'

KJV: But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

NKJV: But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

Paul and Silas are in prison in Philippi. Until moments before, they and the other prisoners were chained and locked behind cell doors, but an earthquake has opened the doors and loosened the shackles. Knowing that the loss of the prisoners—even to an earthquake—would be a death sentence, the jailer is prepared to take his own life; he would rather literally fall on his own sword than risk crucifixion (Acts 16:26–27).

The jailer need not worry. Paul and Silas have been singing hymns and praying while the other prisoners listen (Acts 16:25). Perhaps, their words spread a sense of peace; no one leaves, and the jailer is spared. He immediately falls at Paul and Silas's feet and asks how he can be truly saved. The two explain Jesus' offer of peace, and the jailer and his household accept Jesus as their Savior. The next morning, when the city magistrates tell Paul and Silas to leave Philippi quietly, the pair reveal they are Roman citizens. This means their abuse and imprisonment without trial was illegal. The magistrates apologize and politely request they depart (Acts 16:29–40).

Paul's and Silas's faith in God save the life of the jailer, provide for the eternal life of his family, and possibly save the lives of the other prisoners who would have been hunted down while they fled. It's not unreasonable to assume at least some of the prisoners also accepted faith in Christ. The missionaries' willingness to stay in prison—even though they were placed there illegally—ensures they can return to Philippi (Acts 20:1–2, 6). It strengthens the nascent church that becomes one of Paul's greatest blessings (Philippians 4:10).

This will not be the last time Paul accomplishes significant work for Christ while in prison. During his first imprisonment in Rome, while he is under house arrest and chained to a Roman guard, he reaches members of Caesar's household (Philippians 4:22) and the imperial guard (Philippians 1:13). In addition, he most likely writes the letters to Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon during this same stretch.

Acts 16:25–40 records Paul's first imprisonment. The Philippian magistrates arrested Paul and Silas and had them beaten for spreading the news about Jesus. The two are now chained in a cell, praying and singing to God. An earthquake shakes the prison, releasing all the doors and chains. Paul assures the jailer no one has left, and the jailer tends to the pair's wounds. They share Jesus' offer of forgiveness of sins, and the jailer and his household accept Christ. In the morning, the magistrates attempt to release Paul and Silas, only to be confronted with their own crime: they have illegally punished two Roman citizens. After apologizing, the magistrates ask Paul and Silas to leave town.

Acts 16 follows Paul and Silas as they take the letter of Acts 15 into modern-day Asia Minor and Macedonia. They collect Timothy in Lystra and Luke in Troas. In Philippi, they meet Lydia and baptize her family. After expelling a demon from a fortune-telling girl, city officials illegally beat and imprison Paul and Silas. An earthquake frees them of their chains, but they stay and bring the jailer and his family to Christ. The next morning, Paul and Silas refuse to leave quietly, politely insisting that their civil rights have been violated. The officials apologize, and Paul, Silas, and Timothy go to Thessalonica.

Acts 15 ends with Paul and Silas spreading the news that Gentile Christians don't have to be circumcised. Acts 16 begins with Paul circumcising a Jewish man, Timothy, to prevent difficulties in preaching to older Jews as the boy grows into church leadership. Paul's second missionary trip finds the church growing east, into Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth (Acts 16:11—18:18). On his way back to Syrian Antioch, Paul will stop by Ephesus and soften the Jews for the extended ministry of Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos. During his first trip, Paul planted churches and ordained elders; in his second, he commissions more missionaries.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.