And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely.
Parallel translations
- WEB When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely,
- KJV And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
- NKJV And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
- NASB When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;
- NLT They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
After a severe flogging they were imprisoned, and the jailer was charged to guard them securely.
Overview
The order for secure custody treats them as dangerous criminals, deepening the injustice. Yet this very imprisonment becomes the stage for one of Acts' most striking conversions. God's providence is at work even in the dungeon, turning the schemes of opponents into opportunities for the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Rev 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- 2 Tim 2:9for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
- 1 Sam 23:22–23Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning.
- Matt 27:63–66“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’
- Eph 3:1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
- Acts 12:4He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
- Acts 16:27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped.
- Acts 5:18and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
- Acts 12:18At daybreak there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.
- Matt 26:48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.”
- Phlm 1:9I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
- Acts 16:36The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
- Luke 21:12But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors.
- Acts 8:3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
- Eph 4:1As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
- Acts 9:2and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
- Acts 5:23“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
- Rev 1:9I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 16:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.