Acts 16:29

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Complete Jewish Bible:

Calling for lights, the jailer ran in, began to tremble and fell down in front of Sha’ul and Sila.

Berean Standard Bible:

Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

American Standard Version:

And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G1161} he called^{G154} for a light^{G5457}, and sprang in^{G1530}, and^{G2532} came^{G1096} trembling^{G1790}, and fell down before^{G4363} Paul^{G3972} and^{G2532} Silas^{G4609},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Acts 16:29

Acts 16:29 is part of the narrative concerning the apostle Paul and his companion Silas during their missionary journey in the city of Philippi. The verse specifically describes the reaction of the jailer to a miraculous event—an earthquake that had just occurred, which had opened all the prison doors and unfastened all the prisoners' chains. The jailer, upon seeing the prison doors open and assuming the prisoners had escaped, was about to commit suicide, as it would have been his fault and he would have faced severe punishment. However, Paul cried out to him, assuring him that all the prisoners were still there.

In this context, Acts 16:29 highlights several themes: God's intervention in human affairs, the power of faith in the face of adversity, and the transformative impact of the Gospel. The jailer's response—calling for a light, rushing in, and falling down trembling before Paul and Silas—demonstrates a profound conversion experience. He recognizes the divine authority of Paul and Silas, as they have shown him mercy and have the power to prevent the prisoners from escaping. This event is emblematic of the spread of Christianity, as the message of Christ transcends social boundaries, reaching even to a Roman jailer.

Historically, this verse reflects the early Christian experience within the Roman Empire, where the apostles and early believers often faced persecution and imprisonment for their faith. Despite these challenges, their unwavering commitment to preaching the Gospel and the miraculous signs that accompanied them served to confirm their message and convert many, including those in positions of authority. The jailer's radical transformation from a potential suicide to a humble seeker of truth before Paul and Silas exemplifies the life-changing power of the Christian message, which was being proclaimed without regard for social status or background.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G154
   There are 196 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἰτέω
   Transliteration: aitéō
   Pronunciation: ahee-teh'-o
   Description: of uncertain derivation; to ask (in genitive case):--ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require. Compare πυνθάνομαι.
   
3. Strong's Number: G5457
   There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φῶς
   Transliteration: phōs
   Pronunciation: foce
   Description: from an obsolete (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare φαίνω, φημί); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative):--fire, light.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1530
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰσπηδάω
   Transliteration: eispēdáō
   Pronunciation: ice-pay-dah'-o
   Description: from εἰς and (to leap); to rush in:--run (spring) in.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1096
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γίνομαι
   Transliteration: gínomai
   Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
   Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1790
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔντρομος
   Transliteration: éntromos
   Pronunciation: en'-trom-os
   Description: from ἐν and τρόμος; terrified:--X quake, X trembled.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4363
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: προσπίπτω
   Transliteration: prospíptō
   Pronunciation: pros-pip'-to
   Description: from πρός and πίπτω; to fall towards, i.e. (gently) prostrate oneself (in supplication or homage), or (violently) to rush upon (in storm):--beat upon, fall (down) at (before).
   
9. Strong's Number: G3972
   There are 160 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Παῦλος
   Transliteration: Paûlos
   Pronunciation: pow'-los
   Description: of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4609
    There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Σίλας
    Transliteration: Sílas
    Pronunciation: see'-las
    Description: contraction for Σιλουανός; Silas, a Christian:--Silas.