The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out, and go in peace.”
Parallel translations
- KJV And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
- BSB The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
- NKJV 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.”
- NASB And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief magistrates have sent word that you be released. So come out now and go in peace.”
- NLT So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”
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
The jailer joyfully told Paul they were free to leave in peace.
Overview
The new convert eagerly relayed the good news, glad for his friends' release. Yet Paul would not simply slip away, for more than personal freedom was at stake. His response in the next verse shows wisdom in defending the gospel's standing against the charge of being a lawless movement.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Acts 15:33After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles.
- John 14:27Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
- 1 Sam 29:7Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”
- 1 Sam 20:42Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have both sworn in Yahweh’s name, saying, ‘Yahweh is between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” He arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.
- 1 Sam 1:17Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”
- Exod 4:18Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brothers who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.” Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”
- 2 Kgs 5:19He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a little way.
- Mark 5:34He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
- Acts 16:27The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
- 1 Sam 25:35So David received from her hand that which she had brought him. Then he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. Behold, I have listened to your voice, and have granted your request.”
- Judg 18:6The priest said to them, “Go in peace. Your way in which you go is before Yahweh.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 16:36 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.