But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here!”
Parallel translations
- KJV But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
- BSB But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”
- NKJV But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
- NASB But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”
- NLT But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
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
Paul shouted that the jailer should not harm himself, for all the prisoners remained.
Overview
Rather than seizing freedom, Paul and the others stayed, sparing the jailer's life and his soul. This act of restraint and compassion toward their captor embodies the love of Christ for enemies. Paul's concern is not merely escape but the salvation of the man who had locked them in chains.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 1 Th 5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
- Luke 6:27–28“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
- Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
- Eccl 7:17Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
- Luke 10:32–37In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.
- Exod 20:13“You shall not murder.
- Matt 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
- Ps 7:4if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, if I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary),
- Prov 24:11–12Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
- Lev 19:18“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.
- Luke 22:51But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this” — and he touched his ear, and healed him.
- Prov 8:36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
- Ps 35:14I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 16:28 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.