Acts 16:23

Authorized King James Version

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
πολλάς
many
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
#2
τε
And
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
#3
ἐπιθέντες
when they had laid
to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense)
#4
αὐτούς
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#5
πληγὰς
stripes
a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity
#6
ἔβαλον
they cast
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
#7
εἰς
them into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#8
φυλακήν
prison
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
#9
παραγγείλαντες
charging
to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
#10
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
δεσμοφύλακι
the jailor
a jailer (as guarding the prisoners)
#12
ἀσφαλῶς
safely
securely (literally or figuratively)
#13
τηρεῖν
to keep
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
#14
αὐτούς
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Acts. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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