The term "jailor" in the Bible is most prominently associated with the account of Paul and Silas in the city of Philippi, as recorded in the Book of Acts. The jailor is a significant figure in the narrative of Acts 16:16-40, where he plays a crucial role in the events that unfold during Paul and Silas's imprisonment.

Context and Background

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are in Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia, where they encounter a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. After Paul commands the spirit to leave her, the girl's owners, angered by the loss of their income, drag Paul and Silas before the magistrates. The apostles are accused of causing an uproar and advocating unlawful customs. Consequently, they are beaten and thrown into prison.

The Role of the Jailor

The jailor is tasked with securing Paul and Silas. Acts 16:23-24 states, "And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks." The jailor's actions reflect the Roman practice of ensuring that prisoners, especially those considered a threat, were kept under strict confinement.

The Miraculous Event

At midnight, as Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns, a miraculous earthquake occurs, shaking the foundations of the prison. Acts 16:26 describes the event: "Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose." The jailor, waking to find the prison doors open, fears the escape of the prisoners and prepares to take his own life, as Roman law would hold him accountable for any escape.

The Jailor's Conversion

Paul intervenes, assuring the jailor that all the prisoners are present. Acts 16:28-30 recounts, "But Paul called out in a loud voice, 'Do not harm yourself! We are all here!' Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'" The jailor's question indicates a recognition of the divine power at work and a desire for salvation.

Paul and Silas respond with the message of the Gospel, as recorded in Acts 16:31 : "They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.'" The jailor's conversion is immediate and transformative. He washes the wounds of Paul and Silas, and he and his entire household are baptized that very night.

Significance

The account of the Philippian jailor highlights several key themes in the New Testament. It demonstrates the power of God to intervene in dire circumstances, the importance of faith and belief in Jesus Christ for salvation, and the transformative impact of the Gospel on individuals and their households. The jailor's account is a testament to the early Christian message reaching diverse groups, including Roman officials, and the rapid spread of Christianity beyond Jewish communities.

Cultural and Historical Insights

The role of a jailor in Roman society was one of responsibility and authority, often filled by retired soldiers or trusted servants. The jailor's willingness to listen to Paul and Silas and his subsequent conversion reflect the openness of many Gentiles to the Christian message during the apostolic era. His actions also illustrate the early Christian practice of household baptisms, indicating the communal nature of faith in the early Church.

The narrative of the jailor in Acts 16 serves as a powerful example of God's providence and the life-changing power of the Gospel, emphasizing the theme of salvation available to all who believe, regardless of their social or cultural background.JAILOR

jal'-er.

See PRISON.

1200. desmophulax -- a prison keeper
... jailor, keeper of the prison. From desmon and phulax; a jailer (as guarding the
prisoners) -- jailor, keeper of the prison. see GREEK desmon. see GREEK phulax. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1200.htm - 6k

930. basanistes -- a torturer
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: basanistes Phonetic Spelling: (bas-an-is-tace')
Short Definition: one who tortures, a tormentor, jailor Definition: one who ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/930.htm - 6k

The Conversion of the Jailor of Philippi.
... LECTURES LECTURE XVIII. THE CONVERSION OF THE JAILOR OF PHILIPPI. Chap.
xvi.19-40. I ENTERED, in the last Lecture, upon a review ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xviii the conversion of.htm

Some Carriages of the Adversaries of God's Truth with Me at the ...
... I shall pass by what befell between these two assizes, how I had, by my jailor,
some liberty granted me, more than at the first, and how I followed my wonted ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/some carriages of the adversaries.htm

Directions to Sinners.
... THESE are the words of the jailor at Philippi, the question which he put to
Paul and Silas, who were then under his care as prisoners. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xviii directions to sinners.htm

Encouragement.
... But instantly made him,. A saint and a son. The jailor, I read,. A pardon received;
Acts 16:31. ... And viler than all,. The jailor or thief,. Manasseh or Saul: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 9 encouragement.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy Confessors Shamuna, Guria, and Habib, from ...
... miserably all the same. On hearing this, the governor gave orders to Anovitus
the jailor to put them in very safe keeping. For the mind ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents martyrdom of 2.htm

Here is the Sum of My Examination Before Justice Keelin, Justice ...
... prison above seven weeks, the quarter-sessions were to be kept in Bedford, for the
county thereof, unto which I was to be brought; and when my jailor had set ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/here is the sum of.htm

A Continuation of Mr Bunyan's Life; Beginning Where He Left Off ...
... but within six years afterwards he was again taken up, viz., in the year 1666, and
was then confined for six years more, when even the jailor took such pity of ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a continuation of mr bunyans.htm

Household Salvation
... else. The jailor's household all heard God's word faithfully declared,
and there was the main cause of blessing, for, alas! with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/household salvation.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... Thus, when speaking of the jailor, 'who was a most barbarous, hard-hearted wretch;
yet, when God came to deal with him, he was soon tamed, and his heart became ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

Ephesians iv. 1, 2
... "The jailor fell down before Paul and Silas." (Acts 16:29.) And yet neither is this
again the ... Now, however, let us proceed to look at the jailor's faith. ...
/.../homily viii ephesians iv 1.htm

Jailor (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JAILOR. jal'-er. See PRISON. Multi-Version
Concordance Jailor (3 Occurrences). Acts 16:23 And ...
/j/jailor.htm - 7k

Jair (14 Occurrences)

/j/jair.htm - 14k

Jailers (1 Occurrence)

/j/jailers.htm - 6k

Thinking (58 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27 And the jailor being awakened out of his sleep, and seeing the doors
of the prison opened, having drawn a sword was going to kill himself, thinking ...
/t/thinking.htm - 23k

Drawn (131 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27 And the jailor being awakened out of his sleep, and seeing the doors
of the prison opened, having drawn a sword was going to kill himself, thinking ...
/d/drawn.htm - 37k

Commit (142 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; --
used with to, unto. 2. (vt) To put in charge of a jailor; to imprison. ...
/c/commit.htm - 39k

Awakened (12 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27 And the jailor being awakened out of his sleep, and seeing the doors
of the prison opened, having drawn a sword was going to kill himself, thinking ...
/a/awakened.htm - 9k

Ordered (264 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:36 and the jailor told these words unto Paul -- 'The magistrates have sent,
that ye may be let go; now, therefore, having gone forth go on in peace ...
/o/ordered.htm - 34k

Opened (182 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27 And the jailor being awakened out of his sleep, and seeing the doors
of the prison opened, having drawn a sword was going to kill himself, thinking ...
/o/opened.htm - 36k

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