Acts 16:25
What does Acts 16:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:25 means
Near midnight, Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns to God, and the other prisoners listen. Pain does not silence praise; it deepens it. Their worship is not escapism but trust in the Lord amid suffering. In the darkest hour, they turn upward, and their voices carry through the cells. The gospel shines most brightly against black backdrops. Their testimony is communal—their faith strengthens one another and bears witness to all within earshot. God prepares to answer not only with power but with salvation for a hardened official. Prayer and praise in prison become the prelude to a providential earthquake and a household’s joy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But about the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were making prayers and songs to God in the hearing of the prisoners;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And at midnight Paul and Silas praying, were singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were hearing them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And at midnight, Paul and Silas, praying, praised God. And they that were in prison heard them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And at midnight Paul and Silas, in praying, were praisingGod with singing, and the prisoners listened to them.
Context
This verse follows the detailed description of harsh confinement in verse 24. The contrast between agonizing stocks and joyful songs heightens the drama. The listening prisoners suggest a wider audience for what God will soon do. Verse 26 will introduce the earthquake that opens doors and looses bonds, moving the narrative from worship to wonder and then to the jailor’s desperate question and salvation (verses 27–34).
v.24who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
v.25This passage
v.26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16
Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
- Matthew 5:10
Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- 1 Peter 4:14
If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.
- Psalms 22:2
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest not; And in the night season, and am not silent.
- Philippians 2:17
Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all:
- Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.
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