And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
ACTS 16:27KJVWhat does Acts 16:27 mean?
Acts 16:27 describes how the jailer in Philippi woke up, saw the prison doors open, and, thinking the prisoners had escaped, was about to kill himself with his sword. The jailer assumed he would be held responsible for the escape, which led him to consider suicide out of fear and despair.
This moment happens right after an earthquake opened the prison doors where Paul and Silas were being held. The jailer was not speaking to anyone yet; he simply reacted to what he saw. In the Roman world, a jailer could face severe punishment, even death, if prisoners escaped under his watch, so his response shows the seriousness of his duty and the danger he believed he was in.
The Greek behind Acts 16:27
- φυλακὴ (phylakē, "prison"): This word refers to a guarded place or jail. Its use here highlights the official and secure nature of where Paul and Silas were kept.
- ἔγερθείς (egerthēis, "awaking"): This word means to rise or wake up, often suddenly. The sense is that the jailer was startled awake, adding to the panic of the moment.
- ἔσπασε (espase, "drew out [his sword]"): The Greek word means to pull out or draw, especially a weapon. The detail shows the jailer’s immediate and desperate reaction.
- νομίζων (nomizōn, "supposing"): This word means to assume or believe something to be true. The jailer’s assumption that the prisoners had escaped drives his drastic action.
Why Acts 16:27 matters
- Acts 16:27 helps readers understand the high stakes for Roman jailers and why the jailer reacted so strongly to the open doors.
- The verse sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, including Paul’s intervention and the jailer’s eventual conversion.
- This moment highlights the real fear and pressure faced by ordinary people in the ancient world, making the story more relatable and vivid.