Acts 16:33
What does Acts 16:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 16:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 16:33 means
That very hour, the jailor washes their wounds, and he and all his household are baptized immediately. Mercy flows from a newly softened heart; the man who confined them now comforts them. Baptism, promptly administered, marks their public identification with Jesus. The inclusion of the household fulfills the invitation extended in verse 31, implying that they, too, believed the spoken word. The speed of obedience underscores the clarity and power of grace. Darkness gives way to sacrament; chains give way to cleansing water. The gospel turns enemies into family and a prison into a place of new beginnings.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And that same hour of the night, he took them, and when he had given attention to their wounds, he and all his family had baptism straight away.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having taken them, in that hour of the night, he did bathe <FI>them<Fi> from the blows, and was baptized, himself and all his presently,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he, taking them the same hour of the night, washed their stripes: and himself was baptized, and all his house immediately.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he took them the same hour of the night and washed [them] from their stripes; and was baptised, he and all his straightway.
Context
This verse applies the instruction of verse 32, showing repentance expressed in compassion and faith expressed in baptism. The narrative moves next to table fellowship and joy in verse 34, completing the transformation of the jailor’s home. The morning scene in verses 35–36 will then pivot back to public authorities, bringing the legal resolution and Paul’s assertion of Roman rights.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 10:33
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
- Luke 19:9
And Jesus said unto him, To-day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
- Galatians 5:13
For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
- 1 Corinthians 1:16
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
- Acts 16:25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
- Acts 16:15
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
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