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

Other Translations of Acts 16:29

New International Version

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

English Standard Version

29 And the jailerGreek he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.

The Message

29 The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas.

New King James Version

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

New Living Translation

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 16:29

Commentary on Acts 16:25-34

(Read Acts 16:25-34)

The consolations of God to his suffering servants are neither few nor small. How much more happy are true Christians than their prosperous enemies! As in the dark, so out of the depths, we may cry unto God. No place, no time is amiss for prayer, if the heart be lifted up to God. No trouble, however grievous, should hinder us from praise. Christianity proves itself to be of God, in that it obliges us to be just to our own lives. Paul cried aloud to make the jailer hear, and to make him heed, saying, Do thyself no harm. All the cautions of the word of God against sin, and all appearances of it, and approaches to it, have this tendency. Man, woman, do not ruin thyself; hurt not thyself, and then none else can hurt thee; do not sin, for nothing but that can hurt thee. Even as to the body, we are cautioned against the sins which do harm to that. Converting grace changes people's language of and to good people and good ministers. How serious the jailer's inquiry! His salvation becomes his great concern; that lies nearest his heart, which before was furthest from his thoughts. It is his own precious soul that he is concerned about. Those who are thoroughly convinced of sin, and truly concerned about their salvation, will give themselves up to Christ. Here is the sum of the whole gospel, the covenant of grace in a few words; Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. The Lord so blessed the word, that the jailer was at once softened and humbled. He treated them with kindness and compassion, and, professing faith in Christ, was baptized in that name, with his family. The Spirit of grace worked such a strong faith in them, as did away further doubt; and Paul and Silas knew by the Spirit, that a work of God was wrought in them. When sinners are thus converted, they will love and honour those whom they before despised and hated, and will seek to lessen the suffering they before desired to increase. When the fruits of faith begin to appear, terrors will be followed by confidence and joy in God.