Acts 16:27
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
Original Language Analysis
γενόμενος
awaking
G1096
γενόμενος
awaking
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δεσμοφύλαξ
the keeper of the prison
G1200
δεσμοφύλαξ
the keeper of the prison
Strong's:
G1200
Word #:
5 of 21
a jailer (as guarding the prisoners)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
seeing
G1492
ἰδὼν
seeing
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 21
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἀνεῳγμένας
open
G455
ἀνεῳγμένας
open
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
8 of 21
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θύρας
doors
G2374
θύρας
doors
Strong's:
G2374
Word #:
10 of 21
a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φυλακῆς
the prison
G5438
φυλακῆς
the prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
12 of 21
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
μάχαιραν
his sword
G3162
μάχαιραν
his sword
Strong's:
G3162
Word #:
14 of 21
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
ἔμελλεν
and would
G3195
ἔμελλεν
and would
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
15 of 21
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
16 of 21
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἀναιρεῖν
have killed
G337
ἀναιρεῖν
have killed
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
17 of 21
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
νομίζων
supposing
G3543
νομίζων
supposing
Strong's:
G3543
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, to do by law (usage), i.e., to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard
Historical Context
Roman military and prison guards faced execution for allowing escapes (cf. Acts 12:19). The jailor's immediate assumption reflects this harsh reality. His readiness to die shows the serious stakes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sin and law without grace lead to despair?
- What does the jailor's situation teach about humanity's hopelessness apart from Christ?
- How does the gospel intervene in moments of ultimate despair?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'The keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.' Roman law executed guards who allowed prisoners to escape. The jailor's suicide attempt shows both despair and sense of honor - death by his own hand seemed preferable to execution. His darkness contrasts with Paul's approaching light.