Acts 16:27

Roused from his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, the Governor drew his sword intending to kill himself, in the belief that the prisoners had escaped.

Open English Bible (UK)

In The King James Version

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

In Context

26suddenly there was an earthquake of such violence that the jail was shaken to its foundations; all the doors flew open, and all the prisoners’ chains were loosened.

28But Paul called out loudly, ‘Do not harm yourself! We are all here.’

Read all of Acts 16

Cross References

Matthew 27:5Judas flung down the pieces of silver in the Temple, and left; and went away and hanged himself.

Acts 16:23After beating them severely, the Magistrates put them in prison, with orders to the jailer to keep them in safe custody.

Matthew Henry on Acts 16:26-35

Paul and Silas in Prison; Conversion of the Philippian Jailer. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Acts 16:27