Acts 16:24-26
New English Translation
24 Receiving such orders, he threw them in the inner cell[a] and fastened their feet in the stocks.[b]
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying[c] and singing hymns to God,[d] and the rest of[e] the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly a great earthquake occurred, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately all the doors flew open, and the bonds[f] of all the prisoners came loose.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 16:24 tn Or “prison.”
- Acts 16:24 tn L&N 6.21 has “stocks” for εἰς τὸ ξύλον (eis to xulon) here, as does BDAG 685 s.v. ξύλον 2.b. However, it is also possible (as mentioned in L&N 18.12) that this does not mean “stocks” but a block of wood (a log or wooden column) in the prison to which prisoners’ feet were chained or tied. Such a possibility is suggested by v. 26, where the “bonds” (“chains”?) of the prisoners loosened.
- Acts 16:25 tn Grk “praying, were singing.” The participle προσευχόμενοι (proseuchomenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
- Acts 16:25 sn Praying and singing hymns to God. Tertullian said, “The legs feel nothing in the stocks when the heart is in heaven” (To the Martyrs 2; cf. Rom 5:3; Jas 1:2; 1 Pet 5:6). The presence of God means the potential to be free (cf. v. 26).
- Acts 16:25 tn The words “the rest of” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
- Acts 16:26 tn Or perhaps, “chains.” The translation of τὰ δεσμά (ta desma) is to some extent affected by the understanding of ξύλον (xulon, “stocks”) in v. 24. It is possible (as mentioned in L&N 18.12) that this does not mean “stocks” but a block of wood (a log or wooden column) in the prison to which prisoners’ feet were chained or tied.
Acts 16:24-26
New International Version
24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.(A)
25 About midnight(B) Paul and Silas(C) were praying and singing hymns(D) to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.(E) At once all the prison doors flew open,(F) and everyone’s chains came loose.(G)
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