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 16:27KJV
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Acts 16:27 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“out” Greek G4685 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 14:47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

“prison” Greek G1200 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
  • Acts 16:36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

“fled” Greek G1628 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
  • Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

“supposing” Greek G3543 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
  • Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being(as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
  • Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.