Acts 16:24
What does Acts 16:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:24 means
The jailor, obeying his orders, puts Paul and Silas into the inner prison and fastens their feet in stocks. This is maximum security and maximum discomfort. The inner cell is dark, airless, and isolating; the stocks stretch or immobilize legs painfully. Humanly, there is no escape and little hope. Yet heaven is not barred by iron or stone. The jailor, dutiful but indifferent, will soon witness a grace that breaks both fetters and fears. What seems like the end of ministry becomes its next beginning. God often visits His people most powerfully where they appear most confined and weakest.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he, having such orders, put them into the inner prison with chains on their feet.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who such a charge having received, did put them to the inner prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison and made their feet fast in the stocks.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and secured their feet to the stocks.
Context
Following the severe beating and imprisonment of verses 22–23, verse 24 completes the scene of confinement. The stage is set for the unexpected worship in verse 25, which will showcase faith under trial and draw the attention of other prisoners. Then the sudden earthquake in verse 26 will break the physical restraints, leading to the jailor’s crisis and conversion in verses 27–34.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 38:26
then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan’s house, to die there.
- Lamentations 3:53
They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone upon me.
- Job 13:27
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:
- 1 Kings 22:27
and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
- Psalms 105:18
His feet they hurt with fetters: He was laid inchains ofiron,
- Jeremiah 20:2
Then Pashhur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in the house of Jehovah.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 16
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 16.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
What the Bible says about…