Paul and Silas Imprisoned and Released in Philippi
Acts 16:16-40
Acts.16.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- πορευομενων: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ptcp,gen,pl
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- προσευχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παιδισκην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εχουσαν: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,sg,f
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- πυθωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υπαντησαι: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- εργασιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πολλην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- παρειχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- κυριοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
- μαντευομενη·: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 16:18 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Paul (and Silas) confront and expel the spirit from the slave girl, showing the early Christian ministry of deliverance begun in v.16.
- Acts 8:9-13 (thematic): Simon the magician used sorcery for personal gain and impressed the populace; parallels the motif of occult practices that produce profit and meet Christian mission activities.
- Acts 19:13-16 (verbal): Encounter with itinerant exorcists (the sons of Sceva) whose attempt to use Jesus' name is rebuffed by a spirit—parallels conflicts between Christian authority over demons and rival occult practitioners.
- 1 Samuel 28:7-20 (allusion): Saul's consultation of the medium at Endor (necromancy/fortune‑telling) provides an Old Testament parallel to seeking supernatural knowledge via forbidden spirits.
- Mark 5:1-20 (thematic): Jesus' deliverance of the Gerasene demoniac echoes the New Testament pattern of liberation from possessing spirits and the social/economic consequences that follow.
Alternative generated candidates
- And as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain slave-girl who had a spirit of divination met us, who brought her owners much profit by fortune-telling.
- As we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.
Acts.16.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- κατακολουθουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Παυλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- εκραζεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- λεγουσα·Ουτοι: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δουλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- υψιστου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- καταγγελλουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σωτηριας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 16:18 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Paul commands the spirit and the girl’s supernatural proclamation ceases, showing the contrast between the demon’s cry and the apostles’ mission.
- Romans 1:1 (verbal): Uses the same key term doulos/servant—Paul identifies himself as a 'servant of Christ' parallel to the description 'servants of the Most High God' in Acts 16:17.
- Isaiah 52:7 (allusion): Speaks of those who 'bring good news' and 'proclaim peace'—an Old Testament motif behind the language of proclaiming 'the way of salvation.'
- Romans 10:14–15 (thematic): Affirms the necessity and value of those who 'bring the good news' (cf. 'proclaim... the way of salvation') and echoes the beauty of messengers who proclaim salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
- Following Paul and us she cried out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation.'
Acts.16.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- εποιει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- πολλας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- διαπονηθεις: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- επιστρεψας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ειπεν·Παραγγελλω: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg+VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- εν: PREP
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εξελθειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- απ᾽αυτης·και: PREP,gen+PRON,gen,sg,f+CONJ
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Mark 9:25 (verbal): Jesus: "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." Closely parallels Paul's authoritative imperative that the spirit leave and the immediate result.
- Mark 1:25-26 (verbal): Jesus rebukes an unclean spirit, "Be silent, and come out of him," and it obeys. Similar terse command and instantaneous expulsion of a spirit.
- Acts 19:13-16 (thematic): The seven sons of Sceva attempt to invoke Jesus' name to exorcise demons and fail violently—contrasts with Paul's successful use of Jesus' name, highlighting the authentic power behind apostolic invocation.
- Acts 13:8-11 (structural): Paul (filled with the Holy Spirit) rebukes Elymas and pronounces judgment, producing immediate effect. Parallels apostolic spiritual authority and confrontational speech-acts in the name/authority of God.
- Mark 16:17 (allusion): Jesus' promise that believers "will cast out demons in my name" provides a theological backdrop for Acts 16:18, which depicts an apostle exercising that power through the name of Jesus Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- She did this for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ, come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
- She did this for many days. Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And it came out at that moment.
Acts.16.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ιδοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κυριοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ελπις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εργασιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- επιλαβομενοι: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Σιλαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ειλκυσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αγοραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αρχοντας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 16:20-23 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the owners' complaint leads to Paul and Silas being beaten and imprisoned—directly connected sequence to v.19.
- Acts 16:37-40 (structural): Later resolution in the same episode: magistrates apologize and release Paul and Silas, showing the legal aftermath of their arrest in 16:19.
- Acts 14:19 (thematic): Paul is violently attacked, stoned, and dragged out of the city—a parallel instance of public assault and removal because of missionary activity.
- Acts 21:30-33 (thematic): A mob seizes Paul and drags him from the temple, precipitating his arrest—another scene of hostile crowds and formal authority intervening.
- Philippians 1:12-14 (thematic): Paul frames his imprisonment as a consequence of the gospel that advances the mission—thematic parallel to the way ministry provokes legal action in Acts 16:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- When her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
- When her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities.
Acts.16.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- προσαγαγοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- στρατηγοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ειπαν·Ουτοι: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl+PRON,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εκταρασσουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πολιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Ιουδαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- υπαρχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 21:28 (verbal): Accusers bring Christians before authorities, charging them with turning the world upside down/disturbing order — similar charge of causing public disturbance against Jews/Christians.
- Acts 17:6 (verbal): Mob language applied to Paul and companions: 'These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also' — same motif of alleging that the missionaries disturb the city/region.
- Acts 18:12 (thematic): When Gallio was proconsul, 'the Jews made insurrection with one accord' against Paul — another instance where Jews are accused of (or accused of causing) public disturbance and brought into civic proceedings.
- Luke 23:2 (thematic): Jewish leaders tell Pilate that Jesus 'perverteth the nation, and forbiddeth to give tribute to Caesar' — a comparable tactic of accusing a religious figure before civic authorities as a disturber of public order.
Alternative generated candidates
- They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men, being Jews, disturb our city
- They brought them to the magistrates and said, 'These men are throwing our city into disorder; they are Jews
Acts.16.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- καταγγελλουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- εθη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εξεστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- παραδεχεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- ποιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- Ρωμαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ουσιν: PART,pres,act,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 6:13-14 (thematic): False witnesses accuse Stephen of teaching against the Law and the holy place—similar communal charge that certain teaching promotes customs contrary to accepted law/religion.
- Acts 18:13 (verbal): Opponents claim Paul 'persuades men to worship God contrary to the law,' a close verbal parallel to accusing teachers of promoting practices 'not lawful'.
- Acts 21:28-29 (thematic): Jewish crowds accuse Paul of teaching against the people, the law, and the temple—another instance of charges that Christian teaching subverts Jewish/customary practice.
- Acts 15:1 (structural): The dispute over requiring circumcision and Mosaic customs for Gentile believers addresses the same issue of whether certain Jewish practices are 'lawful' or obligatory for non‑Jews.
- Acts 22:25-29 (allusion): Paul's later invocation of Roman citizenship (and the magistrates' reaction) highlights the legal/constitutional background to the claim 'being Romans' and its practical consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- and advocate customs which it is not lawful for us to receive or observe, being Romans.”
- and are proclaiming customs that it is not lawful for us as Romans to accept or to observe.'
Acts.16.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- συνεπεστη: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κατ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- στρατηγοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- περιρηξαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ιματια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- εκελευον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ραβδιζειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Acts 16:37 (structural): Immediate narrative follow-up to the same incident; Paul later confronts the magistrates about being beaten and stripped without a legal trial.
- Acts 5:40–41 (thematic): The apostles are publicly flogged by the council, a parallel instance of authorities ordering physical punishment of Christian leaders.
- Acts 14:19 (thematic): A hostile crowd violently attacks Paul (stoning) and leaves him for dead—another example of mob violence against Paul/missionaries.
- Matthew 27:26–30 (verbal): Roman/official stripping and flogging of Jesus: removal of clothes and corporal punishment echo the actions of authorities ordering beatings.
- 2 Corinthians 11:25 (thematic): Paul’s own summary of repeated beatings with rods parallels the physical punishments (floggings/strippings) he endured in ministry, including the Acts episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- The crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods.
- The crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their garments off them and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
Acts.16.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πολλας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- τε: CONJ
- επιθεντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- πληγας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εβαλον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- φυλακην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παραγγειλαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δεσμοφυλακι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ασφαλως: ADV
- τηρειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτους·: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 5:40-42 (verbal): The apostles are flogged and imprisoned after their trial—verbal parallel in the language of flogging and confinement.
- Acts 12:4 (structural): Herod has Peter put in prison and hands him over to soldiers to be securely guarded—same structural motif of imprisonment with explicit guarding.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (thematic): Paul’s catalogue of beatings and imprisonments echoes the recurring theme of apostolic suffering exemplified here.
- Philippians 1:12-14 (allusion): Paul reflects on the gospel’s advance through his imprisonment and notes its effect on the imperial guard—thematically linked to the jailer/guard context in Acts 16.
Alternative generated candidates
- After they had laid many stripes upon them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
- After they had inflicted many blows, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully.
Acts.16.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- παραγγελιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τοιαυτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- λαβων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- εβαλεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εσωτεραν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- φυλακην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ποδας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ησφαλισατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ξυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 12:6 (verbal): Peter is described as bound in chains and guarded in prison—closely parallels the imagery of apostles restrained and kept under custody (chains/sentries, locked quarters).
- Acts 5:18–40 (thematic): The apostles are seized and put into the public jail and later flogged/tried—similar pattern of official arrest, imprisonment, and mistreatment by authorities of Christian missionaries.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23–27 (thematic): Paul’s catalogue of sufferings includes multiple imprisonments and beatings—places the Philippi imprisonment in the broader apostolic experience of hardship for the gospel.
- Philippians 1:12–14 (thematic): Paul reflects that his imprisonment advanced the gospel as others were emboldened to preach—connects the Philippi confinement (Acts 16:24–40) with the positive missional outcome of apostolic imprisonment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
- So he received them and placed them in the inner prison, fastening their feet in the stocks.
Acts.16.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Κατα: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μεσονυκτιον: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Σιλας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προσευχομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- υμνουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επηκροωντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δεσμιοι·: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Psalm 42:8 (Heb. 42:8) (verbal): Speaks of a 'song in the night' and prayer to God—parallels the midnight singing and praying of Paul and Silas.
- Psalm 134:1 (allusion): A call for the servants who 'stand by night in the house of the LORD' to bless the LORD; resonates with nocturnal worship in Acts 16:25.
- Colossians 3:16 (verbal): Urges Christians to teach and admonish 'in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness'—language close to Acts' depiction of prayerful singing.
- Acts 4:24-31 (structural): The community prays after persecution and experiences a divine response (place shaken); thematically parallels prayer in crisis and subsequent divine intervention in Acts 16.
- Acts 12:5-17 (thematic): Peter held in prison while the church prays earnestly and is miraculously delivered—parallels imprisonment, communal prayer/concern, and divine deliverance motifs found in Acts 16.
Alternative generated candidates
- About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
- About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts.16.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αφνω: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- σεισμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- μεγας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ωστε: CONJ
- σαλευθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- θεμελια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- δεσμωτηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ηνεωχθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- παραχρημα: ADV
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- θυραι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- πασαι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- δεσμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ανεθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 12:7–10 (verbal): An angel frees Peter: chains fall off and an iron gate opens—almost the same verbal/ narrative motif of supernatural prison release.
- Matthew 28:2 (verbal): A 'great earthquake' occurs and the stone is rolled away at the resurrection—uses the same seismic motif to effect an opening/access change.
- Acts 4:31 (structural): After prayer the place is shaken and the believers are empowered by the Spirit—connects shaking with divine action and mission expansion in Acts.
- Psalm 18:7–16 (thematic): The psalmist depicts the earth trembling and the foundations shaking when God delivers—uses earthquake imagery to portray divine intervention and rescue.
- Isaiah 29:6 (allusion): A prophetic promise that the Lord will visit with thunder and earthquake—frames seismic disturbance as a sign of divine visitation and judgment/deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's bonds were loosed.
- Suddenly there was a violent earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.
Acts.16.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εξυπνος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δεσμοφυλαξ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ιδων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ανεωγμενας: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,acc,pl,f
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- θυρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- φυλακης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- σπασαμενος: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μαχαιραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ημελλεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- αναιρειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- νομιζων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εκπεφευγεναι: VERB,perf,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- δεσμιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 16:26 (structural): Immediate context: the earthquake and opened prison doors (v.26) explain why the jailer saw the doors open and reacted as described in v.27.
- Acts 5:19 (thematic): An angel frees the apostles by opening the prison doors at night—paralleling the motif of supernatural release and opened prison doors in Acts.
- Acts 12:6–19 (thematic): Peter’s angelic release and the subsequent punishment of the guards (12:19) parallel the fear of a jailer whose prisoners appear to have escaped and who expects severe consequences.
- 1 Samuel 31:4 (thematic): Saul falls on his own sword to avoid capture and perceived disgrace—a close parallel in motive and means to the jailer’s contemplated self‑killing.
- Matthew 27:5 (thematic): Judas’ suicide after his betrayal provides another New Testament example of a person taking his own life in response to shame, guilt, or desperate circumstances.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the jailer woke and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had escaped.
- The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners had fled.
Acts.16.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εφωνησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μεγαλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λεγων·Μηδεν: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- πραξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- σεαυτω: PRON,dat,sg,2,m
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- απαντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- ενθαδε: ADV
Parallels
- Acts 16:30-34 (structural): Immediate literary continuation of the episode: Paul prevents the jailer’s suicide and then speaks the gospel that leads to the jailer’s conversion and baptism.
- Matthew 27:3-5 (thematic): Judas’s suicide after betraying Jesus contrasts with the jailer’s avoided self-harm; both scenes treat despair and death, but Acts presents intervention, hope, and conversion rather than final self-destruction.
- 1 Samuel 31:4-6 (thematic): Saul’s death by his own hand (or by the hand of his armor-bearer) provides an OT parallel of suicidal/desperate endings, offering a contrast to Paul’s act of preventing self-harm and preserving life.
- Hebrews 2:14-15 (thematic): Speaks of Christ’s deliverance of people from the fear of death; thematically related to Acts 16 where a life is preserved and a promise of salvation is proclaimed in the face of potential death.
- Romans 15:1-2 (verbal): Pauline concern for the weak and for preserving others (seeking the good of another) echoes Paul’s immediate action to stop the jailer harming himself—an ethic of protecting lives even in perilous situations.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
- But Paul cried with a loud voice, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.'
Acts.16.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αιτησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- φωτα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- εισεπηδησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εντρομος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- προσεπεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Παυλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Σιλα: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:3-5 (verbal): Both scenes feature a sudden heavenly light and a person falling to the ground in the presence of a leading figure of Christianity (the future Paul in 9:3; the Philippian jailer in 16:29), linking motifs of divine illumination and bodily prostration.
- Acts 10:25-26 (structural): Cornelius falls down at Peter's feet and is rebuked (told to stand); parallels the motif of a seeker prostrating before an apostle and the apostolic response to that posture in an encounter leading toward salvation or instruction.
- Acts 2:37 (thematic): After Peter's sermon the crowd is 'pierced to the heart' and asks what they must do, paralleling the jailer's fear-driven question and the conversion-oriented interaction that follows apostolic proclamation.
- Romans 10:9 (verbal): Paul's succinct salvation formula ('if you confess with your mouth... and believe in your heart...') parallels the promise given to the jailer ('Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved'), showing continuity in early Christian soteriological language.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
- He called for lights and rushed in; trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
Acts.16.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- προαγαγων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εξω: ADV
- εφη·Κυριοι: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ποιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ινα: CONJ
- σωθω: VERB,aor,pas,subj,1,sg
Parallels
- Acts 16:31 (quotation): Immediate verbal response to the jailer’s question: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,” directly answers “what must I do to be saved?”.
- Romans 10:9-13 (verbal): Develops the same salvation formula—confess and believe leading to salvation—and cites the same promise that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
- Mark 16:16 (thematic): Links belief and baptism with salvation (“whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”), paralleling the jailer’s reception of the gospel and subsequent baptism in Acts 16.
- 1 Peter 3:21 (thematic): Frames baptism as tightly connected to salvation (“baptism... now saves you”), resonating with the narrative outcome after the jailer asks how to be saved and is baptized.
Alternative generated candidates
- He led them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
- Then he brought them outside and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'
Acts.16.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπαν·Πιστευσον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl; VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- σωθηση: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- οικος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
Parallels
- Romans 10:9-10 (verbal): Confess and believe in Jesus and you will be saved — a close verbal and theological parallel about salvation through faith in Christ.
- Romans 10:13 (verbal): 'For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' — universal promise of salvation that complements Acts 16:31's assurance.
- Acts 11:14 (verbal): About Cornelius: 'He will speak words to you by which you and your household will be saved' — nearly identical promise of household salvation.
- Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32) (quotation): Acts cites Joel: 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' — prophetic/quoted basis for the promise of salvation found in Acts 16:31.
- Acts 16:33 (structural): Immediate narrative fulfillment: the jailer and his household believe and are baptized, showing the outcome of 'believe and be saved' in the same episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
- And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'
Acts.16.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ελαλησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- πασι: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- οικια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 16:15 (structural): Earlier in the same chapter Paul (and company) encountered Lydia; her household heard the gospel and were baptized — a parallel scene of the word being proclaimed to an entire household.
- Acts 10:44-48 (thematic): Peter preaches to Cornelius and those with him; the Holy Spirit falls on them and they are baptized — another example of the gospel being proclaimed to a non‑Jewish household and the household receiving salvation.
- Acts 11:14 (verbal): Ananias' report concerning Cornelius: 'he shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved' — echoes the theme of proclamation bringing salvation to an entire household.
- Acts 18:8 (verbal): Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed with all his household and many Corinthians heard and were baptized — similar language and outcome when the word is declared to a household.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
- They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
Acts.16.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παραλαβων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- εκεινη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ελουσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- απο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πληγων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- εβαπτισθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- παραχρημα: ADV
Parallels
- Acts 16:15 (structural): Lydia and her household are baptized immediately after believing—parallel narrative pattern of a new convert and entire household receiving baptism 'straightaway'.
- Acts 18:8 (structural): Crispus, the synagogue ruler, believes and his household are baptized, another instance of household baptism following conversion.
- Acts 10:47-48 (structural): Peter authorizes immediate water baptism for Gentile believers after the Spirit falls on them—parallels the prompt baptism of the Philippian jailer and his household.
- Titus 3:5 (thematic): Speaks of 'the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,' linking the language and theological significance of washing to baptism and conversion.
- Luke 10:34 (thematic): The Good Samaritan 'washes' the wounded man’s wounds—literal washing of wounds connects to the jailer’s washing of Paul and Silas before baptizing as an act of care preceding initiation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Immediately he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his household.
- At that hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; and immediately he was baptized, with all his household.
Acts.16.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αναγαγων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οικον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- παρεθηκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τραπεζαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ηγαλλιασατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- πανοικει: ADV
- πεπιστευκως: VERB,perf,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 10:44-48 (thematic): Cornelius’ household receive the Holy Spirit and are baptized after Peter’s witness—another example in Acts of an entire household coming to faith and receiving sacramental welcome.
- Acts 11:14 (verbal): Peter reports the angel’s words to Cornelius: ‘he will declare to you words by which you and all your household will be saved’—a verbal/ideological parallel to the household’s coming to faith in Acts 16:34.
- Acts 16:15 (structural): Earlier in the same chapter Lydia and ‘her household’ are baptized and she offers hospitality—closely parallel in narrative pattern (household conversion followed by hosting).
- 1 Corinthians 1:16 (thematic): Paul notes he baptized the household of Stephanas—an attestation in Pauline letters of whole-household conversions and baptisms, paralleling the household faith in Acts 16:34.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he brought them into his house and set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
- Then he brought them into his house and set food before them; and rejoicing that he and his whole household had believed in God, he took comfort in them.
Acts.16.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ημερας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- γενομενης: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,sg,f
- απεστειλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- στρατηγοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ραβδουχους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- λεγοντες·Απολυσον: VERB,part,pres,act,nom,pl,m+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ανθρωπους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εκεινους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 16:36 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same scene: the officers bring Paul and Silas out after the magistrates' order to release them and urge them to depart the city.
- Acts 16:37 (verbal): Paul protests that he and Silas were beaten and jailed unlawfully—this verse records the legal complaint that explains why the magistrates’ morning order to release them was issued.
- Acts 22:25-29 (thematic): A later Acts episode where Roman legal protections (Paul’s citizenship) halt further punishment and lead officials to cease mistreatment—parallels the theme of civil authorities intervening to stop unlawful punishment and effect release.
- Luke 23:20-24 (thematic): Pilate’s decision to release Barabbas at the crowd’s demand shows the Roman magistrate’s authority to remit or execute prisoners; thematically parallels civil officials’ power to order a prisoner’s release in Acts 16:35.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, “Release those men.”
- When it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants to the jailer with the order, 'Release those men.'
Acts.16.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απηγγειλεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δεσμοφυλαξ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- λογους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τουτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Απεσταλκαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- στρατηγοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ινα: CONJ
- απολυθητε·νυν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,2,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- εξελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- πορευεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 16:35 (verbal): Immediate context – the magistrates send officers to release Paul and Silas; repeats the same action reported to Paul in 16:36.
- Acts 16:37 (structural): Direct continuation – Paul confronts the magistrates about unlawful beating and imprisonment, showing the legal aftermath of the release mentioned in 16:36.
- Acts 12:19 (thematic): Guards report a prison incident (Peter's escape) to the authorities; parallels the theme of jailers/guards informing officials about events in custody.
- Acts 5:40-42 (thematic): The apostles are flogged and released by the council; parallels the motif of official punishment followed by release and the apostles' continued mission.
Alternative generated candidates
- The jailer reported these words to Paul: “The magistrates have sent to release you. Now therefore come out and go in peace.”
- The jailer reported these words to Paul, 'The magistrates have sent orders to release you; therefore come out and go in peace.'
Acts.16.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εφη: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτους·Δειραντες: PRON,acc,pl,3 + VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- δημοσια: ADV
- ακατακριτους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ανθρωπους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- Ρωμαιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- υπαρχοντας: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,pl,m
- εβαλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- φυλακην·και: NOUN,acc,sg,f + CONJ
- νυν: ADV
- λαθρα: ADV
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- εκβαλλουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- αλλα: CONJ
- ελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- εξαγαγετωσαν: VERB,aor,act,imp,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 22:25-29 (verbal): Paul invokes Roman citizenship to stop scourging; directly parallels the complaint here about being publicly beaten though Roman citizens.
- Acts 16:22-24 (structural): Immediate narrative context describing the mob beating and imprisonment of Paul and Silas that prompts Paul's rebuke in v.37.
- Acts 16:38-39 (structural): The magistrates' reaction and the order to escort Paul and Silas out is the direct narrative follow-up to Paul's demand in v.37.
- Acts 25:11 (thematic): Paul's appeal to higher legal rights (appeal to Caesar) reflects the same theme of asserting Roman legal protections when he is wronged.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Paul said to them, “They beat us publicly, uncondemned, being Romans, and they threw us into prison. And now do they thrust us out secretly? No; let them come themselves and bring us out.”
- But Paul said to them, 'They beat us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and they threw us into prison; and now they would send us away secretly? No; let them themselves come and lead us out.'
Acts.16.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απηγγειλαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- στρατηγοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ραβδουχοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ταυτα·εφοβηθησαν: PRON,acc,pl,n+VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- ακουσαντες: PTCP,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Ρωμαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 16:37 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the magistrates send an order concerning Paul and Silas after learning they are Romans (same episode, showing the legal remedy and officials' reaction).
- Acts 16:20-21 (structural): Earlier in the same scene: the owners and crowd brought charges before the magistrates that led to Paul and Silas’ beating and imprisonment—sets up the report to the magistrates and their later fear.
- Acts 22:25-29 (verbal): Parallel legal incident: when Paul reveals his Roman citizenship to those about to scourge him, the centurion/tribune are alarmed for having bound a Roman—language and legal consequence closely mirror Acts 16:38.
- Acts 25:11 (thematic): Thematic parallel: Paul’s later appeal to Caesar invokes the legal protections and privileges of Roman citizenship that explain why authorities in 16:38 react with fear upon learning the prisoners were Romans.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
- When the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, they were alarmed, for they had beaten and imprisoned men who were Romans.
Acts.16.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- παρεκαλεσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εξαγαγοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,pl
- ηρωτων: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- απελθειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πολεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 13:50 (verbal): Paul and Barnabas are forcibly expelled from the city by a hostile Jewish mob—close verbal/structural parallel to being driven out or urged to leave a city.
- Acts 5:40-42 (thematic): The apostles are beaten and released by authorities and then depart—similar pattern of official punishment, release, and subsequent departure.
- Matthew 10:23 (thematic): Jesus instructs disciples to flee to another town when persecuted—echoes the theme of leaving a city in response to opposition or danger.
- Acts 18:6 (structural): After opposition in the synagogue Paul departs (shakes out his garments and leaves)—a comparable response of leaving a locale following hostile reaction.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they came and pleaded with them, and when they had brought them out they asked them to depart from the city.
- So they came and apologized to them; and when they had brought them out, they requested them to leave the city.
Acts.16.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εξελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- φυλακης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εισηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Λυδιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ιδοντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- παρεκαλεσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αδελφους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εξηλθαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 16:15 (structural): Same episode/setting — Lydia’s conversion and hospitality establishes the house as a place where Paul and companions stayed and ministered.
- Acts 16:33-34 (thematic): Immediate context — the Philippian jailer’s conversion and household baptism precede the apostles’ departure to visit and encourage the brothers.
- Acts 15:36 (thematic): Paul’s stated practice of revisiting cities to ‘see how the brethren are’ parallels the action of returning to encourage the believers in Philippi.
- Acts 18:7-8 (structural): Paul’s ministry in the house of Titus Justus (many believing and being baptized) parallels the use of private homes as centers of gathering and instruction.
- Romans 16:5 (thematic): Paul’s greeting to 'the church that meets at their house' reflects the early-house-church structure exemplified by Lydia’s house in Acts 16:40.
Alternative generated candidates
- So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they had seen the brethren they encouraged them and departed.
- So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers, they departed.
And it came about, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain slave girl met us who had a spirit of divination and brought her masters much gain by fortune-telling.
She followed Paul and us and cried out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." And she did this for many days. But Paul, being greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ: come out of her!" And it came out at that hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the magistrates. And when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city;
and they advocate customs which are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or observe."
Then the crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore off their clothes and gave orders to beat them with rods.
After they had inflicted many strokes upon them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. And having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and the bonds of everyone were loosed.
When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!" And he called for lights, and rushing in, trembling, he fell down before Paul and Silas.
Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them that same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and immediately he and all his household were baptized.
Then he brought them into his house and set food before them, and with all his household he rejoiced because he had believed in God. But when day came, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go." And the jailer reported these words to Paul, "The magistrates have sent to release you; now therefore come out and go in peace." But Paul said to them, "They beat us publicly, uncondemned—men who are Romans—and they threw us into prison; and now do they send us away secretly? No; let them come themselves and lead us out." And the officers reported these words to the magistrates. When they heard that they were Romans, they were alarmed.
Then they came and entreated them; and bringing them out, they begged them to leave the city. So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and then departed.