(22) “And the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. (23) And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: (24) who having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. (25) But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; (26) and 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. (27) And the jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. (28) But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm; for we are all here. (29) And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, (30) and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. (32) And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. (33) And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. (34) And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.”
Golden Text.—“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Verse 31.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What was the sentiment of the people toward Paul and Silas? What was the decision of the magistrates? Verse 22. Note 1. (2) What was done to the apostles besides beating them? Verse 23. (3) In order to be sure of his prisoners, what did the jailer do? Verse 24. Note 2. (4) What did the apostles do under their harsh treatment? Who heard them? Verse 25. Note 3. (5) What suddenly occurred as they sang? What was the result of the earthquake? Verse 26. Note 4. (6) When the jailer saw what had occurred, what did he do? Why? Verse 27. Note 5. (7) What did Paul say to the jailer? Verse 28. (8) What then did the jailer do? Verse 29. (9) What anxious question did he ask? Verse 30. (10) What reply did the apostles give? Verse 31. (11) What further did they say? Verse 32. Note 6. (12) Then what good work did the jailer perform? What further evidence of his faith is given? Verse 33. (13) How did he further show his hospitality? And his faith? Verse 34.
NOTES.
1. While preaching in Philippi, Paul and Silas were followed through the streets by a woman who had a familiar spirit, and from whose fortune-telling certain men were making money. Paul, wearied of her daily endeavor to associate herself with their work, commanded the evil spirit to come out of her. This so enraged her masters that they complained to the magistrates, alleging that Paul and Silas were troubling the city by teaching unlawful customs. For this cause, there being also a popular clamor against them, the magistrates commanded that the apostles be beaten.
2. The “inner prison” had neither ventilation nor light. The door opened into an inside hall, and this was the only opening. The stocks consisted of a heavy piece of wood with holes, into which the feet were placed in such a manner as to be above the floor and stretched apart, while the victim sat, or lay on his back. The position was necessarily very painful and wearisome.
3. Notwithstanding their sufferings, the apostles sang praises to God and thus at the late hour of midnight testified of their faith to those who might not otherwise have had opportunity to hear.
4. The earthquake and the prison shaken indicate the power of God which attends the Gospel; but more than this is the testimony that it is “the power of God unto salvation.” Rom. 1:16. And so it proved on that eventful night.
5. The jailer would have killed himself to avoid the penalty of death, at the hands of the government, for allowing his prisoners to escape. He had been charged especially to keep Paul and Silas secure; and now not only these, but all the others were loose. By the Roman law a jailer was subject to the same penalty to which an escaped prisoner would have been subjected.
6. Without waiting for their much-needed bathing and food and rest, the apostles immediately took up the work of ministering to the spiritual needs of others. This was the true spirit of Christ.
