Acts 16: 1 – 40
Hindered
16 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. 6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. 16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 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 chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. 35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” 38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. 40 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.
I love it when our Holy Spirit intercepts us and makes sure we are on the right path. As the prophet Isaiah reported in chapter 30 verse 21 of his book, “When you turn to the right or the left, you will hear a voice behind you say, ‘that’s not the way -walk here.”
Today we are going to witness our Precious Holy Spirit ‘hinder’ the apostle Paul from going to Asia because He had a different appointment for Paul and Silas to attend.
16 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
Eventually Paul and Silas came to Derbe and Lystra. And there he came across a young man who would be closely connected with him for the remainder of his life. Often in the days to come Timothy was to be Paul's trusted messenger. They had a very Corinthians Paul called him his beloved and faithful child in the Lord, probably indicating that Paul had led him to Christ. When he wrote to the Philippians he said that there was no one whose mind was so much at one with his own (Philippians 2.19-20). Happy indeed are those who enjoy such close affinity with each other. He would later write to him two letters for guidance in his important ministry.
It must be considered possible that his disagreement about taking Mark had made him think about his own responsibility for enabling young men to mature. He may well have thought things over and recognized that perhaps Barnabas had been right after all in insisting on helping Mark. Timothy also would prove to need encouragement and nurturing. And in the event two young men instead of one would grow and be established as Christian teachers whose impact on the future of the church would be great.
3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
As we learn here Timothy was a half-Jew. We have seen how Paul has argued vehemently about not circumcising gentiles. It was the normal Jewish position that a son would take on the religion of his mother so that Paul would be inclined to see Timothy as a Jew, especially if his father was dead, which the verb might suggest. Recognizing that by being circumcised Timothy’s usefulness in evangelizing Jews would be greatly increased; he had no hesitation in suggesting that he be so. This would then give him full acceptability with both Jew and Gentile.
We see here Paul’s eagerness to maintain connection with the Jews, and to keep them open to the Good News. While he had firmly rejected the idea that circumcision become binding on Gentiles, and would equally firmly have resisted any suggestion that Timothy could not be a full Christian without being circumcised, he was flexible enough to be willing for a half-Jew like Timothy to be circumcised if it would mean that it would help in the ministry among Jews. In Timothy’s case no principle was at stake. Timothy’s circumcision would be accepted by the Gentiles as being because he was a Jew, and therefore as not affecting their position, and would make the Jews see him as a fellow-Jew. It was a reflection of Paul’s determination to be all things to all men if thereby he could win them to Christ (1 Corinthians 9.20), and of his deep concern still to reach the Jews, for whom he had a burning passion (Romans 9.2-3).
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
As they went through the cities they passed on the details of the decisions made in Jerusalem, with Silas there to confirm them. This is in fact the only time that these are referred to as such.
Paul’s plans now seemed to begin to go in a different direction. All doors seemed to be closing to him as he was hindered from going one way, and then another. But unknown to him it was to be the start of the mission to Europe. Why then do you think Luke emphasized these negative responses? It was in order to underline that when the move to go forward did come it was decisively under God’s direction. He was saying, ‘the Spirit bade him go’.
We need not doubt that new Christians had already entered Europe, as converts at Pentecost and other feasts had returned to their home cities taking the Good News with them, and that Christian traders and travelers also spread the Good News, but as far as we know this was the first direct Spirit-impelled attempt to evangelize Europe as a whole. Europe, as it were, now lay within God’s sights. It was a prepared Europe, a Europe using one main language, Greek, with good main roads and an established system of justice. What it lacked was the truth.
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
As they passed through ‘the region of Phrygia and Galatia’, presumably confirming churches he had previously visited, his intention of going to the province of Asia (and to Ephesus) was somehow hindered. It may have been as a result of prophecy, or because something got in the way. Then he decided to aim for Bithynia, and again he was prevented. Thus he moved on and came to Troas (an Aegean port a few miles from the site of ancient Troy), not sure what to do next.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
The hindrances were soon explained by a vision in the night. It was the vision of a Macedonian pleading for help for his people. Jesus now wanted Paul in Europe. He wanted him to have a larger vision, ‘to the uttermost part of the earth’.
If Luke was a Macedonian (he remained in Philippi when Paul and Silas left) it is perfectly conceivable that he had been urging Paul to evangelize Macedonia. We can then appreciate why Paul might have had a vision from God in which a Macedonian (Luke?) called on him to come and help Macedonia which would forcefully back up Luke’s original plea. If he saw Luke in vision it would also give fuller significance to the phrase, ‘a certain man of Macedonia’.
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Paul was immediately responsive. This call explained the prohibitions that they had been facing, and was a clear message from God. So concluding that God had called him to proclaim the Good News to the Macedonians he prepared to embark.
Please take note at this point that the pronoun changes to ‘we’. It is apparent that Luke has joined the party, and feels himself an essential part of it. He was a physician and if the hindrances to Paul had been because of his health may well have ministered to Paul.
11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
The necessary voyage is now outlined for us, well remembered by the writer. Taking boat from Troas, they sailed for Samothrace, a high, rocky, forested island lying between Troas and Philippi, then on to Neapolis on the Aegean coast and from there inland the few miles to Philippi which was in Macedon. Philippi was important both agriculturally and as a source of gold, it had a strategic location on both sea and land routes, and possessed a famous school of medicine. It is pointed out that Philippi was a Roman colony, partly settled by retired legionnaires who were Roman citizens, and a prominent city in the area. Here at least as themselves Roman citizens they might have expected just treatment. It was not to be. Luke probably mentions that it is a Roman colony because ‘being Roman’ lies at the heart both of the accusation against Paul, and his final response.
The group ‘Made a straight course (because the wind was favorable and behind them).’ The wind was with them, an indication that the Spirit was with them too. God’s pleasure was expressed in the wind. In contrast with all the delays it could only be seen as striking. Paul knew that he had got it right at last.
The arrival in Europe was clearly seen by Luke as very important. He illustrates the successful ministry there by a threefold description of Paul’s effectiveness which covers a wealthy businesswoman, a slave girl and a jail proprietor, three different grades in a multiple society.
Throughout this journey Paul and his group were observed by Satan. He first of all seeks to attack the new mission through the testimony of a spirit--possessed girl, and when that fails he raises persecution against Paul and Silas.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
There appear to have been no synagogues in Philippi, presumably due to the lack of the necessary ten adult male Jews who could form a synagogue, and on the Sabbath day Paul and his party, with the writer, made for the riverside where they would expect to find a place where the Jews met for prayer. This meeting at the riverside appears to have been the custom where there were insufficient males to form a synagogue.
They were correct in their surmise for they discovered there a group of women who came together regularly for formal Jewish prayer and the reading of the Scriptures. It is noticeable that even though it was the Sabbath no men are mentioned as present. It was a company of women. So sitting down with the women they began to teach them.
We have witnessed our Holy Good Shepherd unify all of mankind. In his letter to the Colossians Paul would signify this unity, “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor un-circumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” Now he would also include that men and women are also equal in God’s church body. Who would have believed in former days that Saul of Tarsus, whose daily prayer as a Pharisee had been, ‘I thank God that you have not made me a Gentile, or a slave, or a woman’ would have come to join such a woman’s meeting, in which only women were present and a God-fearing Gentile woman was prominent along with her women slaves. But it was different now, for God had so changed his life that he saw it, not as ignominious, but as a glorious opportunity. He had already learned that God used what was weak to confound the mighty.
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
Among those who listened was Lydia, a dealer in purple dyes and dyed cloth from Thyatira who had a house in Philippi, and who was a true ‘worshipper of God’. And her heart was opened by God to Paul’s words and she drank them in and in her innermost soul she responded fully, knowing that this was what she had waited for, for so long.
15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
She was clearly well-to-do, as her trade suggested, and having a number of servants and slaves, who no doubt joined with her at the place of prayer, she and her household were baptized, possibly that very day in the river by which they had prayed so often. Then she begged him and his party, if he was satisfied with the genuineness of her faith, to come to her house as honored guests to stay there while they were in Philippi. Hospitality was a regular feature of ancient life for inns were not abundant, and were often only rough and ready. It was not therefore unusual for well-chaperoned wealthy woman to offer hospitality. He yielded to her persuasion. No doubt he remembered the Lord’s words concerning searching out those who were worthy (Matthew 10.11). And thus for the remainder of their time in Philippi they stayed at the house of Lydia (verse 40).
But as you know Paul could not land in Europe in the power of the Holy Spirit without expecting opposition. Following Luke’s usual necessary pattern (necessary because this is how Satan constantly works) things could not continue to go on quite so smoothly. At some stage the emissaries of Satan had to arrive. And this time it would be in the form of a poor spirit-possessed girl.
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
We may assume here that some weeks had passed, with the ministry continuing by the riverside, and no doubt steadily growing. And then one week they were met by a woman possessed by a ‘divining spirit’. Such people generally spoke with the mouth closed, uttering words completely out of their control and were known as ‘ventriloquists’. This possession resulted in her issuing demonically inspired oracular utterances which brought much gain to her masters by her fortune-telling. She was one of many people who were seen as having contact with the gods and as being able to foresee the future.
No doubt she was fairly well known, and feared. Here was one who was a portal to the unseen world. Thus when she began to follow Paul and his companions about many would take notice.
17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
The spirit within this woman recognized in the Pauline party messengers of the true God. From such they could not be hidden. It was probably also deeply concerned that they should be here and wanted to give a warning to the people. The result was that it caused her to follow them and begin to shout after them, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
The description was probably intended to be detrimental, and to be a warning to the people of Philippi. ‘The Most High God’ [LORD God] was a title used of the God of Israel by foreigners (Daniel 3.26), and the spirit was warning the people that these Jews, the servants of the Most High God, had come claiming to bring them a way of salvation, a way that was best avoided. There were few Jews in Philippi (no synagogue), possibly because it was known to be antagonistic towards Jews. Let them then beware of these Jews. It spoke a form of truth but its intention was to deceive men into rejecting s ‘Jewish salvation’.
We see in the Gospels that evil spirits were aware of the presence of Christ. They could not help but testify of Him and His saving power, for they feared Him. But they did not do so in a friendly way. It was always in fear and antagonism. Thus here it was probably intending by its words to express a warning concerning something that it saw as wholly detrimental. ‘Be careful,’ it was saying, ‘ or these men will save you by a Jewish salvation,’ and this in what was clearly an anti-Semitic city. Not wanting to have anything to do with Jesus itself, it assumed that no sensible man would want to either.
18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
For some reason in time this girl became possessed by an evil spirit. It may be that God brought home to Paul the power of evil at work through this girl. It is not really likely that he was just annoyed with her actions. Something deeper than that is called for here, something sufficient to make him decide to confront this spirit. It is the first time we actually learn of him seeking to cast out an evil spirit. But now he felt impelled, and turning, ordered the spirit to come out of her. You talk about getting the support from our Holy Lord. Paul goes for it and our Precious Master and King supports him and casts out the demon.
Once he did really become aware of the details of the situation, he would recognize that he must enable all to see that this spirit was indeed contrary to Jesus and His ways. He could not allow anyone to be in doubt that this spirit must not be seen as having Jesus’ approval in any way, and could not even be accepted as being a rival or as having a parallel ministry. It had to be made clear once and for all that this spirit, and all like it, were in total contrast with Jesus. Thus he cast it out in the Name of Jesus Christ, thus stressing the total opposition of the One to the other, and revealing that Jesus was more powerful than un-holy spirits.
So in the end Paul turned to the spirit and charged it in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of the woman. And to everyone’s astonishment the spirit came out and she was made whole. They had never experienced anything like it before, not with a girl empowered by the demon. Thus here in Philippi the power of the name of Jesus Christ was seen to be as effective as in Galilee and Judaea in the subjugation of evil spirits. They were just as much subject to Him in Europe as in Palestine. One blessing would come from this among many. We need not doubt that here was another candidate for the infant church in Philippi.
Paul’s act created a problem that effected men’s pockets. They did not care about the girl herself, they had not cared that she was making a nuisance of herself, they were not too concerned about what it meant to the gods, but they were concerned about one thing , and that was Mammon. What had happened would lose them a great deal of money and the result was that they were angry. They were a picture of the greed and lack of compassion of people over things that concerned themselves.
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
Her masters, who were no doubt already wealthy and influential, were angry when they realized that the source of their profits had been removed [Kind of like the religious leaders felt about our Lord Jesus], and they had Paul and Silas dragged into the market place before the authorities. The marketplace was often the place where justice was carried out, because the marketplace was the focal point in any city.
What about the girl? How did she feel? Was she upset that she could not earn money in this field anymore? How do you feel about this? Have you ever had to face a decision after the Lord came into your life that certain things had to go such as a bad job?
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”
This being a Roman colony the men before whom they were brought are correctly called the two chief magistrates. The charge being brought was that these Jews were forcing their beliefs and customs on those who were Romans, and thereby causing trouble in the city, subverting Romans and disturbing the .’Pax Romana’. or Roman peace.
This was in fact a turbulent time for Rome in dealings with the Jews. In 41 AD the Emperor Claudius had written a threatening letter to the Alexandrians, saying he would take measures against Jews who were "stirring up a universal plague throughout the world". In 44 AD there had been a number of public disturbances in Palestine in the wake of Herod Agrippa I's death, and Palestine was constantly a hotbed of trouble. In A.D. 49 Claudius expelled Jews from Rome because of public disturbances in the Jewish community. And these were no doubt not the only examples. Thus a charge against troublesome Jews would be listened to.
What noble men these accusers were! All they cared about was that Rome was being undermined, and Romans led astray. But in fact the truth is that they were liars using religion and patriotism to hide their main concern. Until the girl had been healed they had not cared a jot about the activities of these men. Their real cause for concern was the loss of profit they had suffered, and their aim was rather more to stir up the people against Paul and Silas in order to gain revenge. They were simply angry because they had lost the source of their profits and they wanted to take it out on these men.
The irony of the situation is that it was they who were the more in breach of Caesar’s desires. The Emperors Augustus and Tiberius had been very sensitive about the activities of astrologers and other prognosticators and had issued decrees forbidding predictions and enquiries affecting the affairs of state or the emperor's personal well being. While not all of that kind of activity had been banned, it clearly came under Imperial disapproval.
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
These men clearly took pains to incite the crowds in the market place, who responded to the charge and expressed their disapproval of ‘these Jews’. The danger of an uproar probably persuaded the magistrates to act. They therefore had them stripped and beaten with rods. It was a high-handed treatment quite regularly meted out to ordinary people ‘in trouble with the law’ whether they were innocent or not. It was looked on with careless unconcern as a salutary reminder to them that they must treat the law, together with the courts and their deliberations, seriously. It would also help to settle the crowds. Justice could be sorted out later. Roman citizens were in fact exempt from it, but no one would listen to any protests while tempers were so enflamed.
When I was in the army I witnessed firsthand this kind of incitement to violence. Sadly there was this lazy guy who would not do his fair share of responsibilities leveled on the troops. It so infuriated a couple of guys that they incited others to give this guy a blanket party. What this means is that they threw a blanket over the guy and a whole group beat the snot out of him. This poor guy did not know where all the hits came from. I saw him a few days later and boy did they really do a job on him.
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The beating that they were given was not a mild one (‘many stripes’) and then, in view of the serious nature of the charge, that they had been seeking to lead Romans astray from their worship of Roma and of the other gods of Rome, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them securely. They had to be seen as taking such a charge seriously. Being a Jew was not illegal, but trying to turn Romans from the worship of Roma and the emperor was. They dared not ignore such a charge.
The prison would probably be a specially adapted private residence. Many prisons in those days were private enterprises, and the jailers, who owned the prisons, were often ex-soldiers. They were paid by the authorities to look after prisoners for the state, and were held fully and personally responsible for the secure holding of any such prisoners. It may well have been only for temporary prisoners to be kept in while awaiting charge and only have held a few prisoners.
Recognizing the seriousness of the charge, the jailer was so concerned to keep them secure that he set their feet in stocks in the ‘inner prison’. This was probably a strongly built underground room in his prison house. They were just another two troublemakers. He was a hard man who had lived a hard life, a man whom nothing could move, and he was used to injury and blood.
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 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 chains were loosed.
However, being deprived of their opportunity of worship at the riverside, Paul and Silas, in spite of the pain that they must have been suffering, took the opportunity provided by their situation to pray and worship. And it seems that many prisoners listened interestedly to what they said and sang. This last is Luke’s way of indicating that the word was still being effective, even in that prison cell.
The prison had witnessed curses. It had witnessed groaning and cries. It had witnessed pleadings but it had never witnessed anything like this. No prison could hold men who behaved in this way, and suddenly there was a great earthquake which shook the prison house to its foundations. All would recognize that it must be the result of their God Who was responding to His servants. The doors were broken open, and the chains which were fastened to the floors and walls became loosened. The point being stressed here was that God had stepped in and that Paul and Silas had been miraculously made free in response to prayer. The lesson was that no one could hold the servants of God, unless He allowed it. It was however a demonstration rather than a jail break, for they made no attempt to escape.
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
The jailer, aroused by the earthquake, came from his room (his family living quarters would be a part of the prison), and no doubt carrying a small lamp, went down into the prison, and taking one look at the conditions caused by the earthquake, and fearing the worst, decided that there was only one thing to do. It appeared to him that he must have lost all his prisoners, and that he would be publicly disgraced and probably himself be put to death in a most painful way. A jailer who allowed prisoners to escape was subjected to the penalty that they were due to receive. He did not stop to consider the niceties of the law, or whether he would be held responsible for an ‘act of God’. Suicide was better than the future that he saw ahead of him. He drew his short sword and prepared to plunge it into himself.
28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
Paul, seeing him in the light of his glowing lamp, recognized his intention and yelled to him not to take his life as all the prisoners were still safe. The jailer would undoubtedly be astonished that this man sought to save his life. He had known such care and concern from comrades-in-arms but never from a prisoner whom he had treated so brutally. Here were these men who had caused these strange occurrences and instead of cursing him they were concerned to save his life. It was all very strange.
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
The jailer immediately called for lights (and thereby assistance) and it seemingly came home to him that the earthquake must have been the result of these two men and their prayers. He would know that they were there on a charge of having by some supernatural power cast out an evil spirit who had declared them to be servants of the Most High God, and their worshipping and singing would have further affected him. He probably wished that they were elsewhere, but his ruined prison proved otherwise. And being fearful at what must be the power and awesomeness of their God, he recognized the danger that this fact placed him in. Falling before them he asked what he must do to be saved from the anger of this mighty God.
What the jailer was concerned about went deep. His question was as to how he could be spared from the wrath of this Most High God whom Paul and Silas worshipped and clearly influenced. If they could destroy a prison with their songs and words, what could they not do to him? But Paul had already demonstrated good will towards him. Perhaps then they would arrange for him to be spared. It was clear from what had happened that this powerful God was able to save His own servants. There must be some way by which he could be persuaded to spare him too.
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
The reply came back immediately. Paul and Silas declared to him that the way in which both he and his house could be saved was by response to ‘the Lord Jesus Christ’. Only in and through Him was there safety, security and salvation. The saving of all depended on the belief of each. This is speaking of those of an age to respond. All who believe will be saved.
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
They then proceeded to speak ‘the word of the Lord’ That is they went over how Jesus Christ is God Who gave His live for us which included no doubt the cross, the resurrection and enthronement, on which they could base their belief.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Meanwhile the jailer had taken them immediately from the prison and washed their wounds. He was a changed man. We are probably to see that he did the washing himself. Having heard more of ‘the word’ he and all his family and servants were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
We see here that the jailer was already a new creation (2 Corinthians 5.17). Never before had he bathed prisoners’ wounds, fed them at his table, and rejoiced greatly in God. He was a new man. And many a prisoner in the future would have cause to rejoice in it. His prison would never treat people in the same way again.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”
Next day the officers were sent by the magistrates with instructions that the two might go free. It was no doubt recognized that the case having been looked into it was seen as questionable, even frivolous, and they presumably felt that the lesson had probably been learned. The men were free to go.
36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
The jailer was no doubt delighted to learn this and reported the situation to Paul probably expecting that he too would be delighted.
37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, un-condemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”
But Paul felt it necessary to stand his ground. They had, as Roman citizens, been illegally beaten, and made a public disgrace. If they departed like that the disgrace would still attach to the local church. This must now be put right for the sake of Lydia and the other believers. It should be noted that the charge against them included the fact that they had behaved badly towards Romans. Paul therefore wants it publicly known that they too were Romans, which makes the charge look foolish. This was the first time that charges had been brought against him by men claiming to be Romans which may explain his first use of the defense plea. It removed from the situation any suggestion of either him or the church being anti-Roman. So Paul insisted that the magistrates themselves be made aware of the situation and they come to bring them out. They imprisoned Paul and Silas publicly. Their release as innocent must be equally made public.
38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.
When the magistrates learned that Paul and Silas were Romans they were afraid. They recognized that they also could now be accused of acting against Roman law. Thus they came and sought to make all right between them, publicly arranged their release and then begged them to leave Philippi.
40 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.
They were not escorted from the city. Before leaving town they returned to Lydia’s house, gathered the believers together to say farewell, exhorted and encouraged them, and then left Philippi with honor intact.
