Some, as we have seen, are converted by the gentle opening of the heart; others amid the convulsions of the storm. The first knowledge of salvation may have reached the heart of the jailer through the saving of the possessed girl, Acts 16:17. If only the heart is right with Christ, it can sing in the darkest night; and the impression of those holy songs must have wrought still further upon the conscience of this rough Roman official, who had treated his prisoners with uncommon severity, Acts 16:24. The inner prison! Perhaps some of our readers have been in it! They have come to an end of themselves and their feet are fastened!
But God has His own way of deliverance and never forsakes His own. Art thou in the stocks today? Then pray and sing praises! Choose, for instance, Psalms 103:1-22. God will be thy very present help. Thou shalt win thy jailer, and become a monument of God's saving mercy. There is no course for the convicted sinner but to trust in the salvation wrought upon the Cross; or still better, in Him who wrought it.
Paul was perfectly justified in insisting upon his civil rights when he had the opportunity, Acts 16:37. It made the way easier for his new converts. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 16
1Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy, 7and being called by the Spirit from one country to another, 14convert Lydia, 16and cast out a spirit of divination; 19for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned 25The prison doors are opened 31The jailor is converted, 35and they are delivered
Greek Commentary for Acts 16:39
They feared [εποβητησαν] This is the explanation. They became frightened for their own lives when they saw what they had done to Roman citizens. [source]
They asked [ηρωτων] Imperfect active of ερωταω erōtaō They kept on begging them to leave for fear of further trouble. The colonists in Philippi would turn against the praetors if they learned the facts, proud as they were of being citizens. This verb in the Koiné is often used as here to make a request and not just to ask a question. [source]
What do the individual words in Acts 16:39 mean?
Andhaving comethey appealed tothemhaving brought [them] outthey were asking [them]to go outofthecity
Greek Commentary for Acts 16:39
This is the explanation. They became frightened for their own lives when they saw what they had done to Roman citizens. [source]
Imperfect active of ερωταω erōtaō They kept on begging them to leave for fear of further trouble. The colonists in Philippi would turn against the praetors if they learned the facts, proud as they were of being citizens. This verb in the Koiné is often used as here to make a request and not just to ask a question. [source]