Acts (Written)

Artwork by Douglas Kallerson.

Thursday, 18 May 2023

But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” Acts 16:37

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, the jailor told Paul that the magistrates had sent word to let them go. With that, Luke now records, “But Paul said to them.”

As noted in the comments of the previous verse, the rod bearers were obviously with the jailor when he gave them the news of their release because the address is now in the plural. Paul is speaking to the jailor and the rod bearers. In his response, he says, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans.” The word “openly” is more appropriately translated as “publicly.” They were shamed before other citizens and even non-citizens in a manner that was considered wholly intolerable to the laws of Rome.

Of this, Charles Ellicott says –

“By the Lex Porcia (B.C. 247), Roman citizens were exempted from degrading punishment, such as that of scourging. It was the heaviest of all the charges brought by Cicero against Verres, the Governor of Sicily, that he had broken this law.”

As Paul uses the plural, us, it indicates that Silas was also a Roman. It would be wholly inappropriate to speak the plural in this manner if it were not so. How Silas obtained his citizenship is unknown. However, in Acts 22:28, we find that Paul was born a Roman citizen. That carried an exceptional mark. Others became citizens in various ways, but to be born a Roman meant that his father was a citizen before him as well.

In having beaten Paul and Silas, three extremely serious charges could be raised. The first is that it was a violation of Roman law to do so. Second, Paul notes that they were beaten publicly. Third, and certainly most egregiously, they had been disgraced in this manner without any trial having been held. They were stripped of their clothing while at the same time, they were stripped of their rights as Romans. Further, along with these disgraces, Paul says, “and have thrown us into prison.”

Vincent’s Word Studies, citing a scholar named Hackett, says “that almost every word in this reply contains a distinct allegation. It would be difficult to find or frame a sentence superior to it in point of energetic brevity.” Paul’s noting of their being thrown into prison carries with it the cumulation of all the injustices explicitly stated, along with those that went unstated.

They would have been deprived of food. They would not have been properly treated regarding the wounds they received. They were bound like animals in the filth of a Roman cell. These and other injustices would have all come together in their incarceration, heaping up guilt upon those who had allowed the events to occur. Because of this, Paul now contrasts the word “openly” by saying, “And now do they put us out secretly?”

The magistrates had violated the law in an open and disgraceful manner. No matter what reason they had for releasing them from prison so early in the morning, it certainly carried with it a desire to secretly hide away what had occurred. Paul was adamantly not going to allow that to happen. Thus, he says, “No indeed!”

Throughout the ages, the same idea has been communicated in various abrupt but poignant ways. In modern English, we might say, “No way Jose,” “I think not,” or “Not gonna happen.” The succinct nature of the words provides its own emphasis. Such is the case with Paul’s words. With that uttered, he next says, “Let them come themselves and get us out.”

Of this demand of Paul, Albert Barnes provides five valid points to consider –

(1) Because they had been illegally imprisoned, and the injustice of the magistrates should be acknowledged.

(2) because the Roman laws had been violated, and the majesty of the Roman people insulted, and honor should be done to the laws.

(3) because injustice had been done to Paul and Silas, and they had a right to demand just treatment and protection.

(4) because such a public act on the part of the magistrates would strengthen the young converts, and show them that the apostles were not guilty of a violation of the laws.

(5) because it would tend to the honor and to the furtherance of religion. It would be a public acknowledgement of their innocence, and would go far toward lending to them the sanction of the laws as religious teachers.

Life application: As noted in the previous verse, it is ridiculous for Christians to not use the rights allowed to them within their society when they are unfairly treated. For example, Christians are expected to pay taxes. Taxes are used for the various social and legal protections provided by the law. Christians are required to conform to the laws, rules, regulations, and statutes of the land in which they live. These things are imposed on all citizens of a nation to ensure things run smoothly and to ensure people are treated fairly while also being held accountable when they do not conform to the standards of society.

To submit to such things as these, but then not use those same rights and benefits when it is opportune to do so – such as in voting – is, frankly, foolish. If a citizen will be directed in these things by whoever is elected to office, but he is unwilling to vote when he has the right to do so, it means that he may be setting himself up to lose the very protections that he is granted.

This is the state of the United States today. Those on the left are actively working to take away the rights of citizens in general and those of Christians in particular. And yet, weak-kneed, unthinking Christians fail to use their rights and to exercise their responsibilities within the nation they live. When those rights are taken away from them, they will only have themselves to blame. Paul would find such peevishness and absurd self-piety appalling, as is evidenced by his remarks recorded in Acts 16:37.

Heavenly Father, may we use right thinking concerning our lives within our society. If we fail to do so, we will be overcome by tragedy when we find we have squandered our responsibilities and lost our rights as citizens of the nations in which we live. Help us not to be reckoned as peevish examples of folly and foolishness. Amen.

Artwork by Doug Kallerson

Wednesday, 17 May 2023

So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.” Acts 16:36

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, the magistrates sent the rod bearers, telling them to release Paul and Silas. With that, it now says, “So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul.” The word translated as “keeper of the prison” is the same as that translated as jailor in verse 16:27. This is referring to the same man who was baptized by Paul.

It seems that Paul and Silas were returned to the prison cell prior to anyone arriving in the morning, probably to keep the jailor out of hot water with the authorities for having people who should be in prison not kept there.

Once he had received the permission to release the men, he carried those words with him to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go.” This is per their instructions as just conveyed to him by the rod bearers. With that, he adds his own words of encouragement, “Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”

Rather, the verb, being an aorist participle, reads, “Now, having gone out, depart in peace.” The words mean that the men are in the prison. The jailor is telling them that once they have left the jail, they are free to go without any further requirements, such as reporting to the magistrates in the agora for a hearing. This was obviously done in the presence of the rod bearers because of what occurs in the coming verses.

The events of the previous day have been considered as settled and the matter is over in the minds of the magistrates.

Life application: In such a situation as occurred with Paul and Silas, what would you do with the news that you were to now be released?

The answer is surely dependent on many factors. If you are in a foreign land that is unsympathetic to the plight of foreigners, the best thing to do would be to accept the beating without making any fuss and to then get out of the prison as quickly as possible, not making any waves.

If you were in an area where your title, position, or standing within the community allowed it, you might consider speaking to someone about the treatment you had received. If you were in your own country bearing the rights of a citizen and your rights were violated, you may want to take even stronger action.

Paul will respond according to his own situation in the coming verse, and there is nothing wrong with the avenue he will pursue. Likewise, it is never wrong to pursue what is proper if your rights have been violated. Too often, Christians misuse Scripture and peevishly act as if they should never stand against injustice. Others claim it is inappropriate to vote, as if that is mixing in affairs of the state by people who are “citizens” of heaven.

That is a ridiculous stand. It is certain those same people pay taxes, apply for driver’s licenses, and register their newborns according to the laws of the land in which they live. The old adage, “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good” is appropriate. The rights of Paul and Silas have been violated. Wait and see how they respond to their release as Luke details it in the words ahead.

Lord God, You have placed us in the world to interact with the world. We are born into various countries with certain rights and responsibilities within those countries. Why would we not use those rights to further Your kingdom? Your word provides abundant evidence that this is just what we are to do. So, Lord, help us to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens of the land in which we live while also fulfilling our responsibilities to You. Amen.

Artwork by Douglas Kallerson

Tuesday, 16 May 2023

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.” Acts 16:35

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Paul and Silas were served by the jailor, and they along with the household rejoiced. Luke now continues with, “And when it was day.”

One can assume that after eating, everyone finally got a chance to sleep. For Paul and Silas, that had not come all night. For the jailor and his household, they probably slept until the earthquake and then were awakened after that. With whatever late-night sleep they got, at whatever the normal hour for beginning the day arrived, it next says that “the magistrates sent the officers.”

It is speculated that the earthquake may have alarmed the magistrates, thinking it was judgment from the gods that they had allowed the multitude to rise up against the missionaries without a trial. Then the magistrates also joined in by having the men beaten with rods. This is not unfounded speculation. Luke notes that the magistrates did this “when it was day.”

Luke’s precision of record-keeping would have indicated if it were mid-morning, noon, or some easily recognizable time. Rather, it appears that as soon as the day was getting started, the magistrates made this their first point of business.

As for those they sent, the Greek word is rhabdouchos. Literally, rod-bearers. These were probably the same men who had beaten Paul and Silas the day before by order of the magistrates. As for their duties, Vincent’s Word Studies explains –

“They preceded the magistrates one by one in a line. They had to inflict punishment on the condemned, especially on Roman citizens. They also commanded the people to pay proper respect to a passing magistrate, by uncovering, dismounting from horseback, and standing out of the way. The badge of their office was the fasces, an axe bound up in a bundle of rods; but in the colonies they carried staves.”

It is these rod-bearers that have come, saying, “Let those men go.” Vincent’s notes that the order of the Greek indicates contempt, “those men.” Whether of contempt or hurried fear, the order is given to release them at an early hour of the day.

Life application: A guilty conscience will work on a person throughout the night. But that is not a bad thing. It is the person who has done wrong and yet sleeps soundly that is the real problem. Once a conscience is seared over having mistreated others, anything is possible. Millions of people who just wanted to live out their lives have been snuffed out by people without any conscience toward their wrongdoing.

Those in government and unelected positions of power around the world commit crimes against the masses and yet dine with joy and sleep contentedly. As believers, we need to constantly refresh our hearts and minds concerning how we talk to and treat others.

Each person is an individual and, whether we agree with them or not, it is right that we should feel remorse when we wrongly treat another. That is what the hours of the night can be used for. Let us evaluate our treatment of others and attempt to keep our consciences from becoming seared to things they should be softened to.

Lord God, help us to interact properly with those we encounter. We will inevitably have times when we disagree with others and say things that we later regret. May we never allow our consciences to become hardened towards our actions that are wrong. Instead, may we consider such things and determine to not continue along those paths. Amen.

Washington Monument, Washington State Capitol

Monday, 15 May 2023

Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Acts 16:34

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, the jailor washed the wounds of Paul and Silas and then he and his family were baptized. With that, it now says, “Now when he had brought them into his house.”

More precisely, it reads, “brought up.” From wherever the baptism took place, they ascended to his house. As noted in the previous verse, it appears that the jailor and his family took Paul and Silas to a bathhouse or some other place where they normally bathed. With that complete, he then brought them up to his house. There, and now reassured of their state before God, it says “he set food before them.”

The Greek reads, “he set before [them] a table.” This would have been the first meal Paul and Silas had eaten in quite a while and it would have been a joy to partake of for several reasons.

The delight of being out of prison and properly tended to physically would have been a relief. Also, having food after such a long and tedious day would have been invigorating. But mostly, they would have been filled with praise to God for the acceptance of the gospel by the jailor and his household. Whatever was set before them would have been more enjoyable than that of a meal prepared for a king. Along with that, it next says, “and he rejoiced.”

This is referring to the jailor. Considering that he had almost died by his own hand and apart from God only a short time earlier, he would be renewed not only in spirit, but in his heart and soul as well. Life had taken on a completely new direction, an eternity-changing direction, for him. Of him, it next says, “having believed in God with all his household.”

The word translated as “with all his household” is found only here in the New Testament. However, it is found in the Greek translation of Exodus 1:1 and is also seen in other ancient writings. Being an adverb, there is no single English word that matches the intent. Further, it is more rightly united with the verb “rejoiced.” It is the final verb that explains the reason for the joy. The order of the Greek is, “and rejoiced all-householdly, having believed God.”

The verb translated as “having believed” is a perfect participle in the singular masculine. Thus, some translations assume this is only speaking of the jailor saying, “he having believed in God.” But this is incorrect. The word “household” is a masculine word. Thus, it is referring to the entire household in the singular.

The importance of this is that it totally refutes the idea of salvation coming to those of the house through the jailor’s faith alone. Rather, each person in the household believed. Further, it negates any hint of infant baptism having been conducted. Each person individually believed and was then baptized.

As such, though these verses are descriptive, they continue to settle doctrine based on what is normative. Each person must individually believe in Jesus to be saved. Likewise, each person who believes in Jesus should then be baptized as an outward demonstration of the inner faith that has come about.

Life application: The book of Acts is a descriptive account of what has occurred. For the most part, it does not prescribe anything for us to apply to our lives. However, at times it does develop a normative pattern concerning what occurred. Every person in Acts who believes is subsequently baptized.

But even without this normative pattern, it is a command of the Lord that baptism be conducted. Somehow, the cult of hyperdispensationalism has entered the church and it has caused real damage to sound doctrine within the faith. It inappropriately divides the gospel. It also results in disobedience to the Lord’s direct command to baptize.

Be on guard against these people. Hold fast to what is sound and easily discernible from Scripture. Such unhealthy doctrine will only lead you away from a happy and proper relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Glorious Lord God, may we be willing to follow up our faith in Jesus with obedience to His command concerning baptism. May we not get pulled astray by unsound teachings such as relying on infant baptism for our security in salvation or refusing baptism after salvation. Rather, may we be confident in our doctrine and willing to follow through with our responsibilities in our faith. Amen.

Fountain, Washington State Capitol

Sunday, 14 May 2023

And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:33

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The wording of the verse is more rightly rendered, “And having taken them in that hour of the night, he washed from the wounds, and he was baptized, and all his, immediately.” (CG)

This will be used for the evaluation. In the previous verse, it was noted that Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to the jailor and to all who were in his house. With that complete, it next says, “And having taken them in that hour of the night…”

Remembering that it was “at midnight” that the apostles were singing in the prison when the earthquake occurred, one can assume that this is now between 12:30 and 2:30 depending on how long the intervening events took place. There was absolutely no hesitation in getting from the prison to the house. Even if the jailor lived on the prison premises, he had rushed to the house and excitedly gathered everyone in the house together to hear the news about Jesus.

Only after telling them about the message of salvation, does it next say, “he washed from the wounds.” The word louó is used. It means to bathe the entire person. The meaning is that their bodies were covered in blood from their beating. He didn’t just tend to the wounds, but he cleaned them up from their wounds.

It is a tender act that must be rightly considered. They were met in the prison by the jailor who wanted to know how to be saved. He then brought them to his house and had them tell everyone the good news. After they had told them the good news, he – at the same hour of the night – treated their wounds. It is a kindhearted act of care upon those who only a short time earlier were considered enemies of the people and thus enemies of the state because it was a Roman colony. And yet, he now has called them lords and ministered to them in this fashion. With that, it next says, “and he was baptized, and all his, immediately.”

This is in obedience to the word of the Lord as given in Matthew 28:19 –

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

There was no delay in administering this rite, but it was conducted, as it says, immediately. Along with obedience to the word of the Lord, there are several other things to consider in what is said. The word translated as baptize signifies to submerge. The literal sense is to dip under the water, coming from baptó, to dye or dip. There is a full covering with the fluid.

Further, the entire household was baptized, but that will require the words of the next verse to fully understand. And more, nothing is said about where they were baptized. What seems likely is that the same place where the family normally took their baths was used for their place of baptism, possibly a public bath house nearby.

Understanding this, and it is speculation, Luke is telling these things for a reason. The jailor had just bathed Paul and Silas from their wounds, meaning washing the blood off them. It then notes that immediately after this occurred, the next thing that happened was that they were baptized, probably in the same water that had just been used to cleanse Paul and Silas.

If the supposition is correct, and it appears to be so based on Luke’s record, one can see the beautiful exchange that has taken place. Using the same word, louó, just used for washing Paul and Silas, the author of Hebrews says this –

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed [louó] with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22

Paul and Silas had been cleansed from their physical wounds that were received in the administration of their duties as missionaries. That is being set in apposition to the cleansing of the jailor and his household from their deeper wounds of sin and enmity with God. Paul and Silas were cleansed from their own blood; the others were baptized as a sign of being cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The specific order in which Luke records these events, summed up by the word parachréma, or immediately, appears to be his way of showing us the juxtaposition between the two events.

Life application: If you are being taken into the emergency room for surgery, it may be because your life is in danger. But if you are a Christian, this is only your physical life, which is going to end someday anyway. But those around you may have never heard the word concerning Jesus. They are going to die someday too, but without Jesus, there is no hope for them. So, if you can wait a moment for the surgery, wouldn’t it be the perfect time to say, “Stop for just a minute, I need to tell you about something more important than getting me to the operating table.”

This is basically what has happened in this verse from Acts. Paul and Silas were covered in their own blood and in need of care concerning their wounds. And yet, they first took the time to tell the others what they needed to know so that they could be saved. They gave their audience the true washing with pure water (a metaphor for the word of God) that they needed for their souls to be healed. Only after that did Paul and Silas receive their needed washing for their physical healing.

Let us consider this lesson and pay heed to what we are being told. The most important words of all must be conveyed for others to be saved. May we set our priorities and speak early and often about Jesus!

Glorious God, help us to rightly prioritize our thoughts, placing the important things first. And then, may we act on those things first as well. And the most important thing of all is for us to share the gospel. Give us the wisdom to speak while we can, so that those who hear may be saved. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.