Bible Commentary

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 26. And suddenly there was a great earthquake ] Just as the place wherein the Apostles prayed (Act 4:31) was shaken, so here God testifies that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:26”

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 25. And at midnight ] Sleep being out of the question, they passed the night in devotions. The imperfect tenses of the verbs in this verse imply that the prayers and singing were continued. But it is unnecessary … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:25”

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 24. the inner prison ] Necessarily a place dark and without ventilation, and hence foul and loathsome; perhaps underground, like the Tullianum at Rome (Varr. L. L. v. 161; Lev. 29:22). their feet fast in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:24”

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast [them] into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: 23. cast them into prison ] So that they should have no chance of teaching any longer. They appear (see Act 16:35) to have intended to keep them one night in prison and then … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:23”

And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them.] 22. the multitude rose up together ] i.e. together with the aggrieved proprietors of the damsel. the magistrates rent off their clothes ] i.e. the clothes of Paul and Silas, as is clear from the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:22”

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 21. and teach customs ] Better, set forth (So R. V.), make proclamation of; the word refers to the preaching of the Apostles. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges And teach customs – The word customs here … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:21”

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 20. and brought them to the magistrates ] These strategoi were the duumviri, the two praetors specially appointed to preside over the administration of justice, in cases where there was no appeal to Rome, in the municipia and colonies … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:20”

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew [them] into the marketplace unto the rulers, 19. that the hope of their gains was gone ] The verb is exactly the same as in the last clause of the previous verse. When the evil … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:19”

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 18. this did she many days ] Whether this following took place only on the sabbaths, when the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:18”

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. 17. followed Paul and us, and cried ] Whatever the nature of the mental and spiritual malady under which this damsel suffered, it produced on her the like … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 16:17”