Acts 16:29

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

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},

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

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

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

Commentary

Acts 16:29 dramatically captures the immediate and profound reaction of the Philippian jailer to the miraculous events that have just transpired in the prison.

Context

This verse occurs at a pivotal moment in the ministry of Paul and Silas in Philippi. After being unjustly beaten and imprisoned, they were praying and singing hymns at midnight (Acts 16:25). Suddenly, a powerful earthquake shook the prison, opening all the doors and loosening everyone's chains (Acts 16:26). The jailer, awakened by the chaos and fearing the prisoners had escaped (which would mean his own execution under Roman law), was about to take his own life. However, Paul intervened, calling out to him and assuring him that all the prisoners were still present (Acts 16:28). It is this combination of divine power, human desperation, and Paul's compassionate honesty that leads to the jailer's response in this verse.

Key Themes

  • Urgent Awakening: The jailer's immediate call for a light and his rushing into the inner prison indicate a sudden, overwhelming sense of urgency and profound realization. He is no longer concerned with his duty as a jailer but with the supernatural event he has witnessed.
  • Fear and Awe: His "trembling" is not just physical shaking from the earthquake, but a deep spiritual terror and reverence. He recognizes that something divine has occurred, and he is confronted by the awesome power of God manifested through Paul and Silas. This fear leads to a genuine spiritual inquiry.
  • Humility and Submission: The act of falling down before Paul and Silas signifies profound humility and submission. In Roman society, jailers held authority, but here, the jailer prostrates himself before his prisoners, acknowledging a greater authority at work. This posture prepares him for the life-changing question he asks in the next verse.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "trembling" is ἔντρομος (entromos), meaning to be greatly terrified or deeply shaken, often in the presence of the divine. It conveys a sense of awe-struck fear rather than just physical agitation. The phrase "fell down before Paul and Silas" uses the Greek word προσεκύνησεν (prosekynēsen), which implies an act of worship or profound homage. While not necessarily worship of Paul and Silas themselves, it indicates deep reverence and submission to the divine power he perceives working through them, akin to how one might bow before a king or deity.

Practical Application

The jailer's dramatic response illustrates that God can use extraordinary circumstances to bring people to Himself. His trembling and profound humility demonstrate that genuine spiritual awakening often begins with a recognition of one's own vulnerability and the overwhelming power and holiness of God. This verse highlights that the fear of the Lord is often the beginning of wisdom and a path to repentance and salvation. It underscores God's ability to reach anyone, regardless of their background or position, and the immediate, life-altering impact of confronting divine truth.

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Cross-References

  • Revelation 3:9 (3 votes)

    Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

  • Psalms 119:120 (2 votes)

    My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

  • Isaiah 60:14 (2 votes)

    The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

  • Daniel 6:26 (2 votes)

    I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he [is] the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion [shall be even] unto the end.

  • Isaiah 66:2 (2 votes)

    For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

  • Acts 9:5 (2 votes)

    And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

  • Acts 9:6 (2 votes)

    And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.