King James Version

What Does Acts 16:27 Mean?

Acts 16:27 in the King James Version says “And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and woul... — study this verse from Acts chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 16:27 · KJV


Context

25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

27

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.

28

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

29

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Roman law executed guards who allowed prisoners to escape. The jailor's suicide attempt shows both despair and sense of honor - death by his own hand seemed preferable to execution. His darkness contrasts with Paul's approaching light.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman military and prison guards faced execution for allowing escapes (cf. Acts 12:19). The jailor's immediate assumption reflects this harsh reality. His readiness to die shows the serious stakes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sin and law without grace lead to despair?
  2. What does the jailor's situation teach about humanity's hopelessness apart from Christ?
  3. How does the gospel intervene in moments of ultimate despair?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
ἔξυπνος1 of 21

out of his sleep

G1853

awake

δὲ2 of 21

And

G1161

but, and, etc

γενόμενος3 of 21

awaking

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

4 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δεσμοφύλαξ5 of 21

the keeper of the prison

G1200

a jailer (as guarding the prisoners)

καὶ6 of 21

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰδὼν7 of 21

seeing

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ἀνεῳγμένας8 of 21

open

G455

to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)

τὰς9 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θύρας10 of 21

doors

G2374

a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)

τῆς11 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φυλακῆς12 of 21

the prison

G5438

a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh

σπασάμενος13 of 21

he drew out

G4685

to draw

μάχαιραν14 of 21

his sword

G3162

a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment

ἔμελλεν15 of 21

and would

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

ἑαυτὸν16 of 21

himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἀναιρεῖν17 of 21

have killed

G337

to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder

νομίζων18 of 21

supposing

G3543

properly, to do by law (usage), i.e., to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard

ἐκπεφευγέναι19 of 21

had been fled

G1628

to flee out

τοὺς20 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δεσμίους21 of 21

that the prisoners

G1198

a captive (as bound)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 16:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 16:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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