Acts 16:33

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [their] stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

And {G2532} he took {G3880} them {G846}{G1722} the same {G1565} hour {G5610} of the night {G3571}, and washed {G3068} their stripes {G575}{G4127}; and {G2532} was baptized {G907}, he {G846} and {G2532} all {G3956} his {G846}, straightway {G3916}.

Then, even at that late hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed off their wounds; and without delay, he and all his people were immersed.

At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately.

Commentary

Acts 16:33 describes the immediate and transformative actions of the Philippian jailer after his dramatic encounter with Paul and Silas. Following the miraculous earthquake that shook the prison, and Paul's intervention preventing his suicide, the jailer's heart was open to the Gospel. This verse highlights his practical response to faith and his subsequent baptism.

Context

This verse follows the events in Philippi where Paul and Silas were imprisoned after casting a spirit out of a slave girl. After they were beaten and thrown into the inner prison with their feet in stocks, they prayed and sang hymns. Around midnight, a great earthquake occurred, opening all the prison doors and loosening everyone's bonds. The jailer, fearing the prisoners had escaped, was about to kill himself when Paul cried out, assuring him they were all still there. Overwhelmed and trembling, the jailer brought Paul and Silas out and asked the pivotal question recorded in "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas responded by telling him to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:33 details the jailer's immediate actions resulting from this saving faith.

Key Themes

  • Immediate Response to Faith: The verse emphasizes the speed ("the same hour of the night," "straightway") with which the jailer acted upon hearing the Gospel and believing. This illustrates genuine conversion leading to immediate action.
  • Care and Compassion: Before being baptized, the jailer tended to the physical needs of Paul and Silas, washing the stripes (wounds) inflicted upon them earlier. This act of mercy demonstrates the fruit of his newfound faith.
  • Household Salvation and Baptism: The verse explicitly states that "he and all his" were baptized. This passage is often cited in discussions about the inclusion of entire households in the early church, suggesting that the faith of the head of the household can lead to the salvation and baptism of the family members who believe.
  • Transformation: The jailer transitions from despair and fear (contemplating suicide) to faith, care for others, and public identification with Christ through baptism.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "straightway" is parachrēma (παραχρῆμα), which literally means "immediately" or "instantly." This reinforces the theme of prompt obedience and decisive action following belief. The word "baptized" (ebaptisthē - ἐβαπτίσθη) comes from baptizō, meaning "to immerse, wash, or dip," highlighting the mode of baptism practiced.

Related Scriptures

This account resonates with other instances of immediate response to the Gospel and baptism in Acts, such as the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:38. The concept of a household believing and being saved is also seen with Lydia's household earlier in Philippi (Acts 16:15) and Cornelius's household in Acts 10:48.

Reflection

The Philippian jailer's response in Acts 16:33 provides a powerful example of genuine conversion. It wasn't just an emotional moment; it resulted in immediate practical action—caring for those who had been persecuted and publicly identifying with Christ through baptism. His story encourages believers to respond to God's grace with promptness, demonstrate their faith through acts of love, and understand the significance of baptism as an outward sign of an inward transformation. It also highlights the potential for faith to impact not just individuals, but entire families.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 1:16

    And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

  • Acts 16:15

    And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.

  • Luke 10:33

    But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him],

  • Luke 10:34

    And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

  • Acts 16:25

    ¶ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

  • Galatians 5:13

    ¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

  • Matthew 25:35

    For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
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