Acts 16:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He especially marveled at Paul's love for mankind. He was amazed also at his courage, because, though Paul had the opportunity to flee, he did not flee, and because he kept him from suicide.

It was good that the guard was not permitted to commit suicide. The jailer was not evil. He shut them in the inner prison because he had received such an order, not on his own initiative.

Why, then, did Paul not cry out to him at once? Because he was full of fear and confusion, and would not have listened.

Therefore, when Paul saw that he intended to kill himself, he forestalled him and said to him loudly: "We are all here."

You have seen his miracle and his extraordinary works. Now look at his care and his love for mankind.

But Paul cried with a loud voice to the keeper of the prison: "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."

Behold an example of guilelessness, true love, and beneficence toward enemies, according to the commandment of the Lord. Paul strives to preserve the life of that jailer who, shortly before, had shut him in the darkest prison and fastened his feet in the stocks.

Therefore he says to him in a loud voice: Do yourself no harm. None of the prisoners has escaped; all are here.

The jailer was outside the prison, and Paul was inside it. There was prison darkness within, and midnight darkness as well.

How, then, did the Apostle see that the jailer had drawn his sword and intended to kill himself with it? How did he know that the jailer suspected the prisoners of escape?

The jailer was awakened by it. In terror, when he found the doors of the prison open, he wanted to kill himself. But he was stopped by the Apostle Paul.

He asked for a light and learned by his own experience that truly none of the prisoners had left the prison. Attributing this miracle to the Jewish strangers, the jailer fell at the feet of Paul and Silas.

Probably knowing already about their preaching, he asked them what he must do to be saved. The Apostles required him to believe in Jesus Christ and be baptized.

The jailer did not delay in fulfilling their demand. After brief instruction, he was baptized with his whole household.

With gratitude toward his benefactors, he took them from the prison into his house, washed their wounds, and set a meal before them. Thus the following morning was met with joy.

Yet even here divine help did not abandon the Apostles. A miraculous earthquake shook the foundation of the prison building, opened all its doors, and loosed the bonds of all the prisoners. It converted the jailer to Christ with his whole household.

The next day the city authorities wanted to release Christ's prisoners without trial, just as they had cast them into prison without trial. Then the Apostle Paul made use of his rights as a Roman citizen.

He did this so that, in the future, the arbitrary conduct of civil authorities would place fewer obstacles before the word of God. He compelled the city authorities publicly to apologize to him and Silas for the dishonor inflicted on them without trial, though they were Roman citizens.

The Apostle Paul, however, at once perceived his intention. Always perfectly self-possessed even amid danger, he cried out to him with a loud voice: "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."

"We are all here": no one has gone away. At first the prisoners listened to the prayers and hymns of Paul and Silas (v. 25). When the miracle occurred, they felt the great power of God. Struck by the miracle, they remained motionless in the prison and did not think of fleeing.

The saving of the jailer from suicide was undoubtedly an act of God's special mercy toward him. Evidently he was a servant devoted to his duty, and he greatly feared responsibility for failing to fulfill it.

At the same time, he knew the undiscerning severity of the duumvirs. Therefore he preferred a death more common at that time, since suicide was then considered no more dishonorable than a duel is now in the military world.

Yet according to the Apostle, suicide is undoubtedly evil, whatever the reason for it and whatever form it may take.

Paul reassured the jailer chiefly by telling him that the prisoners had not fled. Since Paul and Silas could not fail to see God's saving hand in what had happened, they did not hasten to leave the prison.